Understand the policies, laws and regulations shaping business across China and the UAE.
Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies. Every update identifies the issuing authority, jurisdiction, publication date, effective date and official source.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority requires businesses with annual revenues of Dh50 million or more to appoint an Accredited Service Provider by October 30, 2026. Failure to meet the deadline will result in an administrative penalty of Dh5,000 per month of delay. The mandate and associated penalty framework also apply to businesses registered in UAE free zones.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority published Decision No. 17 of 2026 setting conditions for recovering input tax on employee expenses. Entities may recover VAT on goods or services provided to employees under contractual obligations or documented policies. The guidance requires formal documentation and approval mechanisms ahead of VAT Executive Regulation amendments taking effect October 1, 2026.
China's annual outbound direct investment reached $213.58 billion, surpassing $200 billion for the first time with an 11.1 percent year-on-year increase. Outbound flows to the Middle East more than doubled, with the United Arab Emirates leading the region by attracting $2.6 billion. The UAE figure represents more than triple the volume of Chinese direct investment received in the preceding year.
Ministry of Commerce, National Bureau of Statistics, State Administration of Foreign Exchange
The UAE and China have formalized a bilateral memorandum of understanding to accelerate two-way capital flows through joint investment platforms and dedicated funds. Concurrently, China's Luckin Coffee is evaluating an expansion into Gulf markets following a $1 billion investment deal involving Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and Centurium Capital.
UAE Ministry of Investment and China National Development and Reform Commission
UAE / China
Final rule
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