Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment
Official foreign direct investment data released on September 30, 2026, revealed that Chinese outbound investment into the UAE reached $2.6 billion. The capital flows represent a more than threefold increase over the previous year, elevating the cumulative investment stock to $12.47 billion.
China's outbound direct investment to the UAE expanded to $2.6 billion, more than tripling the previous year's total. Beijing-based China Securities received regulatory licensing from the Dubai Financial Services Authority to establish a regional office in DIFC. Concurrently, JINGDONG Property finalized an agreement to develop a 150,000-square-metre logistics complex in Abu Dhabi's KEZAD zone.
The UAE's Capital Markets Authority has shifted its mandate from an enforcement watchdog to an economic enabler supporting market expansion. Following an 18-month reform period, the authority completely rewrote its statutory framework and harmonized rules with the Dubai Financial Services Authority and Abu Dhabi Global Market's Financial Services Regulatory Authority. The regulator expects the alignment to strengthen market stability and draw major international financial institutions.
Abu Dhabi's sovereign platform L'imad Holding is driving major infrastructure investments to route trade around the Strait of Hormuz under a 'Zero Hormuz' framework. Concurrently, Emirates Global Aluminium has signed an agreement with Gulftainer to shift up to 250,000 tonnes of exports to the UAE's east coast in its first year. The initiatives aim to reinforce trade resilience by expanding multimodal export outlets outside the Gulf chokepoint.
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