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Finance & Investment

Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment

Industry News
Source: Khaleej Times

UAE Leads Shift to AI Profitability as Regional Investment Hits $678 Million

Investors and founders at the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum highlighted that capital in the UAE is transitioning from AI experimentation to revenue-generating applications. MENA AI and AI-enabled companies raised $678 million in the first half of 2026, with the UAE capturing 93% of that capital. The shift comes alongside federal initiatives aiming to transition half of UAE government services to agentic AI within two years.

Policy & Legal Updates
Source: Middle East Council on Global Affairs

Think Tank Analyzes Future of GCC Dollar Pegs Amid Growing China Trade

A policy paper by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs examines the GCC currency pegs to the US dollar in light of offshore banking dynamics and increasing trade with China. The research argues that while growing commerce with China weakens the trade rationale for the dollar peg, offshore dollar bank funding keeps oil invoicing tied to the US currency. The author recommends coordinating currency policy across all six GCC states and formalizing liquidity assurances for Bahrain and Oman.

Policy & Legal Updates
Source: www.travelsdubai.com

UAE Launches $1 Million Scheme to Fund and License 100 Creator Businesses

The 1 Billion Followers Summit and the UAE's National Media Authority have introduced a $1 million initiative titled '100 Dreams'. The scheme will award $10,000 each to 100 global content creators alongside trade licensing assistance and accelerator mentorship to establish businesses in the UAE. Applications are scheduled to open on November 20, 2026.

China–UAE News
Source: TradeArabia

UAE Expands China Ties with MoIAT Delegation and Mubadala Investment Plans

A UAE delegation led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is attending the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai to explore industrial and smart manufacturing partnerships. Concurrently, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company announced plans to expand its Chinese investments by 15% to 20% annually. The initiatives focus on priority sectors including technology, robotics, life sciences, and energy transition.

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