Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala led GCC sovereign wealth funds in the first nine months of 2026, deploying $26.2 billion globally. China, including Hong Kong, emerged as the second-largest international destination for Gulf sovereign capital, attracting 10% of total invested funds.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority's Decision No. 13 of 2026 took effect on 1 October 2026, establishing mandatory procedures to verify supplies before claiming input tax deductions. Under the rules, a valid tax invoice alone is no longer sufficient to recover input VAT. Taxable businesses must carry out due diligence on suppliers to demonstrate reasonable care and prevent transactions tied to tax evasion.
A survey of 100 institutional investors managing $513 billion found that 56% expect the US and China to jointly lead global AI within five years. Conducted by Pureprofile for Robocap across eight markets including the UAE and China, the report notes closing gaps in patents, research graduates, and applied robotics. All surveyed investors also projected that the UAE and Saudi Arabia will make significant progress toward becoming global AI hubs.
China has implemented strict individual income tax rules for offshore trusts, imposing a 20 percent tax rate across asset funding, trust income, and distributions. The Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration established a 90-day transitional compliance window closing on October 22, 2026, allowing taxpayers to settle historical trust liabilities without late surcharges. Cross-border tax enforcement is increasingly supported by automated data exchange under the Common Reporting Standard.
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