Software, telecommunications and digital infrastructure
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.
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.
Non-oil trade between Dubai and China reached 2.1 trillion dirhams ($571.8 billion) between 2016 and 2025, expanding 23 percent in 2025. Chinese direct investment into Dubai surged 179 percent year-on-year to 3.4 billion dirhams in 2025, with active Chinese member companies in the Dubai Chamber reaching 6,650 by September 2026.
Dubai Chambers Chairman Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori stated that Chinese tech systems will play a key role in expanding Al Maktoum International Airport. The $34.9 billion project aims to incorporate Chinese operational expertise in passenger processing and automation. The airport's expansion targets an eventual capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo.
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