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.
Companies in the UAE closing their financial periods on December 31, 2026, face statutory audit rules under expanded corporate tax compliance regulations. Entities with annual revenue above AED 50 million and Qualifying Free Zone Persons must submit audited financial statements. The framework also introduces a five-year audit limitation window for the Federal Tax Authority.
Members of the UAE Federal National Council took part in the 2026 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges in Tianjin, China. UAE representative Sumaya Abdullah Al Suwaidi highlighted legislative frameworks for industrial and educational partnerships and showcased the Operation 300bn strategy. Discussions centered on advanced technologies, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and industry-academia cooperation.
Sharjah Media City (Shams) has launched 'Bedaya', an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to streamline business setup for foreign and domestic investors. The system matches user proposals with authorized free zone activities and suggests corporate structures. It also generates trade names and automated fee schedules in Arabic and English.
The UAE Ministry of Finance has eliminated the preliminary approval stage for electronic invoicing service providers, requiring them to secure direct accreditation before offering services. Issued under Ministerial Decision No. 168 of 2026, the updated framework took effect on October 1, 2026, ahead of the October 30 deadline for large businesses to appoint an accredited provider. Service providers that previously held preliminary approval have 30 days from October 1 to complete the necessary assessments and testing.
Ministry of Finance
United Arab Emirates
Effective October 1, 2026
Final rule
The UECN Brief
Policy updates, China–UAE business news and industry insights, delivered to your inbox.
Business relationships in both markets
Forums, delegations and events
Policy updates and market insights
Membership
Join a network with a shared purpose.
Tell us about your experience and connection to UAE–China business. UECN assesses your application and offers the right membership category — fees are shared privately with your offer.
We send you a one-time sign-in link — your answers are saved as you go.
