Machinery, materials, industrial development and supply chains
Smart Mobility International has begun UAE customer deliveries of the IM LS9 luxury six-seater SUV, manufactured by China's SAIC Motor. The range-extended electric vehicle offers over 1,500 km of combined range, 523 horsepower of continuous output, and advanced four-wheel steering. The distributor also revealed that a five-seater IM LS8 model with 1,605 km range will follow.
China has set a national roadmap to advance all-solid-state batteries toward initial large-scale deployment by 2030. The initiative leverages a vertically integrated industrial ecosystem spanning cell makers, material processors, and state agencies. According to the International Energy Agency, China manufactured over 80 percent of the world's batteries in 2025.
Dr. Simon Miller of the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council detailed the development and enforcement of UAE food and beverage regulations in an interview. With 85 to 90 percent of UAE food imported, regulators adapt external standards to safeguard supply chains. Priority policies include the federal Nutri-Mark label, tiered sugar taxes, and strict benchmarks for health claims.
The S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers' Index held steady at 55.3 in September, matching August's 20-month high and confirming sustained non-oil expansion. Firm customer demand enabled companies to pass on higher raw material and freight costs, pushing selling prices up at the fastest rate in over 15 years. Dubai's non-oil PMI rose to 54.5, posting its strongest reading in seven months amid accelerating export demand.
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