Global Digital Trade Expo Opens In China With UAE As Guest Of Honour Promoting Economic Cooperation

The fourth Global Digital Trade Expo commenced in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, with the UAE and Indonesia participating as official Guests of Honour. The event was graced by Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China; Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism; Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, UAE Consul-General in Shanghai; along with senior officials and representatives from government entities and national companies.

Al Saleh emphasised the expo's role in enhancing global economic collaboration, particularly in digital trade. He acknowledged China's invitation for the UAE to be a Guest of Honour and commended the organisation of the event. "The UAE-China ties have expanded significantly over the past four decades," he stated, highlighting that the UAE is now China's top non-oil trading partner in the Middle East and Africa.

The UAE has become a key player in China's trade network, serving as a gateway for over 60 percent of China's trade with the region. China stands as the UAE’s largest global trading partner, showcasing their deep strategic partnership. The digital economy contributes about 12 percent to the UAE’s non-oil GDP, with plans to increase this to 20 percent by 2031.

The country aims to solidify its position as a global hub for advanced technologies and digital investments. Notably, the UAE was the first nation to appoint a minister for artificial intelligence back in 2017. This move underscores its commitment to leading in technological advancements.

According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2025, the UAE ranked 10th globally for inbound foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, achieving US$45.6 billion in FDI inflows. Chinese investment in the UAE amounts to approximately $9 billion, with over 16,500 Chinese companies operating there, many focusing on digital trade and advanced technologies.

Al Saleh encouraged Chinese firms involved in digital trade and emerging technologies to consider using the UAE as a strategic base for entering Middle Eastern, African, and Asian markets. The expo features ten government and private exhibitors from the UAE showcasing national initiatives in digital transformation, AI, FinTech, and smart government services.

Expo Highlights

This year's expo is being held at Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Centre until 29th September. It covers an area of 155,000 square metres – marking it as the largest edition since its inception in 2022. More than 1,700 companies are participating this year including 360 international exhibitors.

The event expects over 40,000 professional visitors with around 10,000 coming from abroad. This significant turnout highlights growing interest and engagement within global digital trade sectors.

The Global Digital Trade Expo serves as an important platform for fostering international cooperation within digital economies while showcasing innovative solutions across various industries worldwide.

With inputs from WAM