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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.
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
The Saudi Central Bank confirmed its trial engagement with the mBridge cross-border digital currency platform officially ended on May 13, 2025, after testing without live settlement. Between mid-2024 and late 2025, the China-UAE-backed platform processed 4,868 transactions totaling $67 billion, with the digital yuan representing roughly 96% of the value.
The Saudi Central Bank confirmed its pilot participation in the mBridge cross-border digital currency platform ended on May 13, 2025. Between mid-2024 and late 2025, mBridge processed 4,868 transactions valued at $67 billion, with the digital yuan comprising 96% of volume.
Saudi Central Bank
Saudi Arabia
Effective May 13, 2025
Final rule
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