Chinese companies expand in the Middle East
JD Property adds warehouse in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone
JD Property has added a high-specification logistics warehouse in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, according to Guandian. It secured tenants before completing the acquisition, bringing the warehouse to full occupancy at handover.
The facility offers direct access to Jebel Ali Port and connections to major regional highways, supporting warehousing, distribution, cargo consolidation, and cross-border trade. The acquisition expands JD Property’s warehouse portfolio at a key Middle Eastern logistics hub, allowing it to serve businesses of different sizes.
FAW Jiefang ships first 210 trucks to the UAE
FAW Jiefang has shipped its first batch of 210 trucks to the UAE, marking its first sales in the market as it moved from building distribution channels and preparing products to bulk deliveries, Securities Daily reported.
The company has partnered with a major local automotive dealership group. Its distributor is developing sales, after-sales service, and spare parts networks. FAW Jiefang has also developed more than 10 models tailored to local transport requirements and regulations, including tractor units, cargo trucks, dump trucks, and concrete mixers.
Rox delivers first 100 UAE-made SUVs
Rox has announced the delivery of its first 100 luxury SUVs manufactured in the UAE, each bearing the “Made in the Emirates” mark, according to the Emirates News Agency. The deliveries mark a new stage in its production operations in Abu Dhabi.
The vehicles were produced at its artificial intelligence manufacturing center in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). The site combines a manufacturing center, AI laboratory, and design studio. The project aims to establish more of the company’s automotive manufacturing, design, AI, and R&D capabilities in the UAE.
Economic and policy developments
Dubai Chambers launches marketplace for business AI agents
Dubai Chambers has launched the “Chamber AI Hub,” describing it as the world’s first chamber-led marketplace for agentic AI. The platform gives Dubai businesses access to specialized AI agents designed to carry out administrative and operational tasks.
It currently offers 22 agents across seven functions: compliance, procurement, operations, finance, sales, human resources, and logistics. Dubai Chambers plans to expand the offering to 100 agents over the next two years as part of a program targeting more than 295,000 private businesses. Dubai Chambers will also provide specialized training for 14,000 companies in its business groups and councils to help them integrate AI agents into daily operations.
ADNOC identifies over AED 60 billion in UAE manufacturing opportunities
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has announced more than AED 60 billion (USD 16.3 billion) in domestic manufacturing opportunities through 2030, according to Arab News. These cover more than 200 products and a range of critical components, with the aim of replacing imports, shortening delivery times, and reducing exposure to global supply chain disruptions.
ADNOC plans to localize the manufacture of products worth AED 90 billion (USD 24.5 billion) by 2030. It also aims to channel AED 220 billion (USD 59.9 billion) into the UAE economy between 2025 and 2030 through its In-Country Value program.
Dubai Financial Market’s traded value rises 22%
The value of trading on Dubai Financial Market (DFM) rose 22% year-on-year to AED 162 billion (USD 44.1 billion) in the first nine months of 2026, Khaleej Times reported. Average daily traded value increased 25% to AED 883 million (USD 240.4 million), while the number of trades rose 24% to 3.16 million.
DFM added 55,460 investors during the period, 72% of whom were from overseas, bringing its total investor base to more than 1.3 million. Its market capitalization stood at approximately AED 993 billion (USD 270.4 billion) at the end of September.
UAE capital markets regulator reports 43% increase in licensed companies
The number of companies licensed by the UAE’s Capital Market Authority increased 43% YoY in the first nine months of 2026, while the number of licensed professionals rose 64%, according to authority data cited by Arab News.
The combined market capitalization of Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market reached AED 3.7 trillion (USD 1 trillion) at the end of September. Trading during the nine-month period totaled AED 408 billion (USD 111.1 billion), with foreign investors accounting for 49%.
Dubai AI Campus targets more than 1,000 companies by 2030
Dubai has raised its targets for the Dubai AI Campus, aiming to attract more than 1,000 AI companies and create over 5,000 highly skilled jobs by 2030.
The campus, located in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), opened in May 2024 and now hosts more than 500 AI companies, reaching its original 2028 target two years early. Its companies have raised more than AED 1 billion (USD 272.3 million) from private equity and venture capital firms and created over 2,000 technology jobs.
ADIPEC expects record Asian delegation
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), taking place November 2 to 5, is welcoming its largest ever delegation from Asia this year, The National reported.
The Asian contingent comprises 353 companies and six national pavilions representing China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. Chinese exhibitors include Sinopec, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL).
Saudi cabinet approves new commercial law
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet approved a new law on commercial transactions that will broaden participation in business, including allowing Saudi citizens aged 15 and above to engage in commercial activities under specified conditions, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
The law will replace three existing laws, strengthen fair competition and protections for small and medium-sized enterprises, clarify the rights and obligations of parties to commercial contracts, and recognize electronic documents as legal evidence.
Minors will need permission from a guardian, custodian, or court to trade. The law will take effect 180 days after publication in the official gazette.
Saudi winter tourism calendar spans nine destinations
Saudi Arabia has released its Saudi Winter events calendar, covering nine destinations including Riyadh, Medina, and the Red Sea, according to Saudi Gazette.
The program includes festivals, sporting events, live performances, heritage experiences, nature excursions, desert adventures, and leisure breaks, alongside dining, shopping, and coastal activities. The Saudi Tourism Authority brought together more than 100 public and private sector partners to develop the winter program, offering over 1,800 tourism products.
Saudi business sector revenue reaches SAR 5.628 trillion in 2025
Operating revenue in Saudi Arabia’s business sector increased 2.3% YoY to SAR 5.628 trillion (USD 1.5 trillion) in 2025, while employee compensation rose 6% to SAR 624.1 billion (USD 166.4 billion), according to General Authority for Statistics data cited by Saudi Gazette.
Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply recorded the fastest revenue growth, at 14.2%. Gross fixed capital formation in the business sector rose 0.4% to SAR 992 billion (USD 264.5 billion), with manufacturing accounting for the largest share of investment.
Saudi services exports rise 6.9% in 2025
Saudi Arabia’s services exports rose 6.9% in 2025 to SAR 251.7 billion (USD 67.1 billion), from SAR 235.5 billion (USD 62.8 billion) in 2024, according to General Authority for Statistics data reported by Saudi Gazette.
Travel services remained the largest export category at SAR 159.9 billion (USD 42.6 billion), followed by transport services at SAR 35.4 billion (USD 9.4 billion). Services imports increased 4.2% to SAR 488.6 billion (USD 130.3 billion).
Invest Qatar wins UN investment promotion award
Invest Qatar has received the 2026 United Nations Investment Promotion Award for its Startup Qatar initiative, recognizing its efforts to attract and support high-potential startups and technology companies, according to an official announcement.
Launched in 2024, Startup Qatar has helped more than 850 startups establish operations in the country. Its support includes funding, incubation, strategic partnerships, expedited business registration at no charge, AI compute credits, and tailored residency programs.
Doha investment framework sets six priorities
The ninth World Investment Forum concluded in Doha with the launch of the Doha Global Investment Action framework. The framework aims to turn the forum’s outcomes into projects and mechanisms for international cooperation.
It identifies six priorities: investment governance and rules; environmental sustainability and quality of life; AI and industries of the future; finance and business ecosystems; research and partnerships; and entrepreneurship and talent.
The forum drew more than 7,000 participants, including four heads of government, over 60 ministers, and more than 400 speakers.
Qatar Diamond Exchange adds Hong Kong partnership
Qatar Diamond Exchange has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China (DFHK), establishing a partnership to expand its Asian presence.
The organizations will connect their members and develop new channels for diamond trading through industry events, tenders, auctions, and reciprocal visits between Doha and Hong Kong. The exchange has also signed cooperation agreements this year with diamond trading organizations in Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Italy, building a network across major Asian trading centers and into Europe.
Doha Investment expands asset management initiative to QAR 5 billion
Doha Investment, Qatar’s newly established investment platform, has expanded the country’s active asset management initiative from QAR 2.6 billion (USD 714.3 million) to QAR 5 billion (USD 1.4 billion).
The additional funding will be provided in cash, and the initiative will be open to eligible asset managers from Qatar and overseas. It aims to improve market liquidity, broaden institutional investor participation, and support the development of Qatar’s capital markets and asset management industry.
Qatar Chamber and UNIDO develop entrepreneurship initiative
Qatar Chamber has partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to develop an entrepreneurship and innovation initiative focused on young people and women. The partners plan to adapt and implement the initiative in Qatar before extending it to regional and international markets.
Cooperation will involve Qatar Chamber’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office. The partners will also work to increase women’s participation in economic and investment activities and expand links with women entrepreneurs worldwide.
This article was adapted based on a feature originally written and published by Al Shasia. KrASIA is authorized to translate, adapt, and publish its contents.
Note: AED, QAR, SAR figures are converted to USD at rates of AED 3.67 = USD 1 and QAR 3.64 = USD 1 and SAR 3.75 = USD 1 based on estimates as of November 4, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are approximate and, where appropriate, rounded for ease of reference. They may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.