Over 15,000 Chinese Companies Strengthen Economic Ties In UAE Markets

The China-Arab Entrepreneurs Summit at Investopia 2025, themed "Seizing New Opportunities," was attended by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Co-Chairman of the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF) and former French Prime Minister, along with Zhao Liang from the Chinese Embassy in the UAE, were also present. The event gathered over 400 leaders and entrepreneurs from the Arab world and China.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri highlighted the summit as a pivotal moment for Arab-China economic relations. He noted that these ties have gained momentum recently, with the UAE eager to elevate this partnership further. The UAE's robust trade relationship with China is evident as China remains its largest trading partner. In return, the UAE is China's primary partner in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The UAE has successfully attracted significant Chinese investments over decades. More than 15,500 Chinese companies operate in its markets, investing over $6 billion across sectors like retail and real estate. The UAE's competitive business environment, featuring long-term residency programs and full foreign ownership rights, enhances its appeal as a business hub.

Bin Touq emphasised the importance of modern technology in transforming global challenges into opportunities. He stated: "The China-Arab Entrepreneurs Summit is a vital platform for strengthening economic and investment partnerships between the Arab world and China." This summit offers a chance to explore new prospects in technology and entrepreneurship sectors.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin expressed optimism about economic growth potential in the Middle East over the next decade. He remarked that "the UAE is an ideal hub for Chinese companies to establish a local presence connecting leading business, public policy, and community leaders across the region and the world." This underscores the strategic importance of collaboration between regions.

William Wang from SIEF shared insights on facilitating Chinese businesses' expansion into new markets through UAE’s strategic position. He said: "Over the past 10 years, we have helped more than 800 Chinese business and public policy leaders gain first-hand experience of the UAE’s business environment." This highlights SIEF's role in fostering cross-border collaborations.

Sessions on Innovation and Growth

The summit featured sessions with distinguished speakers from both regions. Xu Xiaolan discussed AI's potential in enhancing Arab-China economic partnerships during her keynote on robotics industry development. Another session titled "Financing Innovation and Growth" explored financial institutions' roles in driving industrial transformation through international collaboration.

A session on "Leveraging Cross-Border Investment to Support New Economy Growth" examined increasing global investment flows' impact on startups. Speakers stressed that cooperation between Arab, Chinese, and international markets builds a sustainable investment ecosystem crucial for transitioning to a new economy.

Empowering Future Workforce

Hamad Al Mazrouei from ADGM Registration Authority spoke about workforce empowerment as essential for economic growth. His speech titled "Empowering Future Workforce" highlighted developing digital skills to match evolving job market demands. Investing in education ensures adaptability amid technological changes while expanding new economy sectors.

The session "Unveiling Tomorrow’s Minds" focused on education's role in preparing future leaders for today's challenges. It emphasised reshaping academic institutions to align with technological advancements and economic shifts, equipping businesses for competitive futures.

SIEF announced six new strategic partnerships during the summit with key institutions like Investopia and Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy. These collaborations aim to strengthen scientific cooperation among Islamic Cooperation countries while enhancing regional economic ties.

With inputs from WAM