Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment
Gold prices moved higher as declining crude oil prices eased inflation worries and spurred hopes of a pause in US Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. In the UAE, retail gold prices held firm with 24-karat trading at Dh505.50, while China's central bank accelerated gold purchases alongside inflows into gold-backed ETFs.
Chinese investment banks and securities brokerages are expanding their presence in the Gulf by setting up offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Beijing-based China Securities established a regional DIFC office covering equity, debt, investment banking, and asset management, following a prior move by CICC.
More than 6,400 Chinese companies were registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce by mid-2026 as Dubai accelerates its shift toward high-value technology sectors. Bilateral non-oil trade reached approximately $99 billion, reflecting deeper collaboration across artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
Over 250 global institutional investors, sovereign wealth fund executives, and infrastructure developers will gather in Dubai on October 14, 2026, for the inaugural RISE Summit. The event includes a panel featuring CICC's DIFC branch leadership focusing on cross-border capital deployment connecting China, the Gulf, and international markets. Discussions will address investments in transport, AI data centers, and renewable energy.
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