News
Policy updates, China–UAE developments, industry news and official Middle East travel alerts.
Inward foreign direct investment projects from China into Dubai surged from 11 in 2021 to 91 in 2025, with registered Chinese member companies at Dubai Chambers reaching 6,650. Chinese enterprises including Meituan's Keeta, J&T Express, and Baidu are deepening operational integration within the emirate across logistics and autonomous transport.
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued regulatory guidance requiring employers to report domestic worker absence within five days. Filings must be submitted through the official MoHRE smart application or website. The timeline is stricter than the seven-day period designated for commercial private sector workers.
Dubai Chambers has signed Memorandums of Understanding with chambers of commerce representing Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Chongqing during the Dubai Business Forum – China in Shenzhen. The agreements aim to deepen bilateral trade and investment by fostering direct engagement between private companies in Dubai and China. The partnerships also focus on cross-border market access, knowledge exchange, and commercial event participation.
Legal authorities and labour specialists in the UAE have clarified the enforcement requirements for non-compete clauses under Federal Decree-Law No. 33. Employers may only apply these clauses if workers access trade secrets or sensitive client data, and terms must define reasonable geographical, business, and time limits. Breaches do not trigger an automatic administrative labour ban, requiring employers to seek judicial remedies and prove actual financial harm.
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