Ports, shipping, aviation cargo, warehousing and trade
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed announced that Dubai Chambers is dispatching Dubai's largest-ever economic delegation to Shenzhen for the Dubai Business Forum – China, with bilateral non-oil trade reaching AED 363.5 billion in 2025. Simultaneously, the UAE sent 16 Emirati AI specialists to Beijing and Shanghai under the National Experts Program to study China's AI ecosystem.
The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued Ministerial Decision No. 168 of 2026, updating accreditation procedures for Electronic Invoicing Service Providers. The new rule eliminates the preliminary approval phase, requiring full assessment and testing prior to accreditation. UAE companies generating Dh50 million or more in annual revenue face an October 30 deadline to appoint an accredited provider.
Cabinet Resolution No. 136 of 2026 establishes updated operational criteria, accounting mandates, and licensing rules for mainland and free-zone commercial entities in the UAE. Entities with an annual gross turnover of AED 50 million or more must submit audited financial statements, while smaller firms must retain digital accounting records for at least five years. Businesses have a 180-day grace period ending on March 30, 2027, to achieve compliance before facing administrative fines.
Sharjah leadership met with Chinese diplomats on 12 October 2026 to discuss partnerships in artificial intelligence, healthcare, data centres, and automotive manufacturing. Bilateral trade between Sharjah and China reached approximately AED 6.3 billion in 2025, with 851 Chinese enterprises operating in the emirate as of June 2026. Separately, Dubai recorded non-oil trade of AED 363.5 billion with China in 2025 ahead of the Dubai Business Forum in Shenzhen.
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