Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment
Investopia Bridge 2026 concluded with the signing of seven major agreements aimed at strengthening cross-border economic cooperation. Key deals included a memorandum of understanding between Investopia and China Securities International to boost capital markets ties. Partnerships across advanced manufacturing, fintech, and artificial intelligence were also signed.
Dubai Customs handled 1.36 million refund applications worth AED 6.9 billion during the first half of 2026. Approved refunds increased by 14.8 percent to AED 6.2 billion. The authority also extended the document submission deadline from 30 to 90 days.
The UAE participated in the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Central Bank of the UAE held bilateral meetings with the People's Bank of China and other central banks to discuss payment systems, innovation, and sustainable finance. In addition, the UAE signed an agreement to host the 2029 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi.
Construction on more than USD 100 billion in AI infrastructure projects across the UAE and Saudi Arabia is continuing without broad stoppages, EnterpriseAM reported. However, rising insurance premiums, supply chain frictions, and regional security threats are altering project economics. Western hyperscalers and regional firms face potential headwinds as Iranian officials threaten retaliatory measures against regional data assets.
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