Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment
The UAE Capital Market Authority recorded a 43 percent year-on-year increase in licensed financial entities during the first nine months of 2026. Trading across the Abu Dhabi and Dubai markets reached AED 408 billion, with foreign capital accounting for 49 percent of transactions. The regulator also increased enforcement, issuing AED 12.9 million in financial fines.
The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued Ministerial Decision No. 197 of 2026 to update the national electronic invoicing framework. The amendment provides a 24-month temporary exclusion for intra-tax group transactions and eliminates the mandate to store invoicing data exclusively within the UAE. Core rollout timelines remain unchanged, requiring businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more to appoint an Accredited Service Provider by October 30, 2026.
The UAE banking sector is preparing new regulations that would govern how borrowers transfer outstanding debt between lenders, potentially taking effect on January 1, 2027. According to an unnamed banking source quoted by Emarat Al Youm, the proposed rules would require borrowers to complete a minimum tenure and make a set number of instalment payments before moving their loans. The final provisions and official implementation dates remain subject to formal regulatory confirmation.
UAE businesses with annual revenues of AED 50 million or more must appoint an accredited e-invoicing provider by October 30, 2026, ahead of mandatory implementation on January 1, 2027. Companies failing to appoint a provider by the deadline face a monthly administrative penalty of AED 5,000. Businesses below the AED 50 million threshold have until March 31, 2027, to appoint a provider, with full deployment required by July 1, 2027.
Policy updates, China–UAE business news and industry insights, delivered to your inbox.
Membership
Tell us about your experience and connection to UAE–China business. UECN assesses your application and offers the right membership category — fees are shared privately with your offer.
We send you a one-time sign-in link — your answers are saved as you go.
