China's outbound direct investment into the UAE reached $2.6 billion, more than tripling from the previous reporting year, according to the UAE-China Chamber of Commerce. Bilateral non-oil trade surpassed $100 billion as Chinese financial institutions expanded their presence in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Multiple Chinese energy companies and healthcare delegations also advanced bilateral commercial engagements.
The UAE fintech market is forecast to grow from roughly $3 billion in 2024 to more than $5 billion by 2029, with over 320 fintech companies active nationwide. Central Bank data shows the country has climbed to fourth globally on the Global FinTech Centre Index, with over 75 firms licensed or approved across six categories.
The Dubai Business Associates programme has welcomed 23 professionals from 15 countries for its 12th cohort after receiving 14,600 applications globally. Participants, who include graduates from China's Tsinghua and Peking universities, will complete nine months of business placements and consulting projects across key Dubai public and private sector organisations. The programme is run under Falcon and Associates and has built a network of 350 alumni across 11 previous cohorts.
China Securities (CSC Financial) has received an operational licence from the Dubai International Financial Centre and authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The Beijing-headquartered brokerage will provide investment banking, capital markets, and asset management services to bridge Chinese and Gulf capital. In parallel, JD Properties partnered with KEZAD Group to construct a 150,000-square-meter logistics facility in Abu Dhabi.
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