Machinery, materials, industrial development and supply chains
China's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index declined to 49.3 in October from 50.1 in September, dropping below the 50-point threshold separating expansion from contraction. Weakening domestic and export orders drove the contraction, though high-tech and equipment manufacturing continued to expand. Non-manufacturing and composite gauges also slipped into contraction at 49.7.
Exports to Iraq from six major trading partners fell 29% year-on-year to $23.7 billion in the first half of 2026, according to customs data cited by economist Manar Al-Obaidi. Shipments from the UAE fell 25% to $10.6 billion, while Chinese exports dropped 42% to $5.2 billion. The sharpest contractions occurred in capital and investment goods, while consumer and food items proved more resilient.
Dubai-headquartered electric motorcycle and battery-swapping company Spiro is expanding across Africa, challenging the market dominance of India's Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor. The company assembles bikes using Chinese kits, has partnered with Chinese EV maker Yadea, and secured backing from Chinese fund NewTrails Capital. Spiro currently sells approximately 17,000 electric motorcycles per month across several African nations.
Ras Al Khaimah and China's Fujian Province have signed a friendship agreement to deepen economic, maritime, and cultural collaboration. The signing was accompanied by 10 Memorandums of Understanding between Ras Al Khaimah entities and Chinese organisations across robotics, transport, finance, and infrastructure. The developments concluded a six-day official delegation visit to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Fuzhou led by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi.
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