Abu Dhabi - Mubasher: The number of Chinese companies registered with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry increased by 38 percent in 2023 and by 69.4 percent in 2024.

Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, pointed out that Chinese investments in the UAE increased by 16 percent, while Emirati investments in China jumped by 120 percent, representing 90 percent of the total investments of Arab countries in China by the end of 2023, while the UAE hosts more than 6,000 Chinese companies .

This came during Al Zaabi’s speech at the opening of the “Abu Dhabi-Shanghai Business Meeting” event, which was organised by the Chamber yesterday in the Chinese city of Shanghai in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as part of the activities of the visit of an economic delegation from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to the People’s Republic of China, according to the Emirates News Agency, WAM.

Al Zaabi pointed out that Abu Dhabi has moved from an oil-dependent economy to a major economic power, with the non-oil sector contributing more than 54 percent of its GDP by the third quarter of 2024 .

He said that the partnership with China is a major driver for enhancing the growth and diversification of the national economy. With China being the UAE’s largest trading partner, our cooperation in initiatives such as the “Belt and Road” has contributed to transforming our economic landscape into a strong model of cooperation and progress.

Within the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative, the “China-UAE Industrial Cooperation Zone” was established in 2015 within the Khalifa Economic Zone (KIZAD) in Abu Dhabi, which attracted more than 60 Chinese companies with investments exceeding $2.2 billion.

He stressed that the UAE has emerged as a major supplier of industrial goods to China, noting the integration of Emirati industries into the global network of Chinese supply chains to enhance its exports of polymers, mineral oils, aluminium and other economic ties between the two countries, paving the way for a prosperous future for the two countries .
He said that there is a major investment shift, explaining in this regard that Chinese companies are not only exporting to Abu Dhabi, but have become part of its economic system, driven by the emirate’s pro-business policies, advanced infrastructure, and access to emerging markets .

He called on Chinese business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors to explore the vast opportunities offered by Abu Dhabi in the fields of clean energy, advanced technology and life sciences.

The event included presentations on the most important business opportunities available in Abu Dhabi, especially in emerging investments and in key sectors including industry, renewable energy, green technology, e-commerce and artificial intelligence .

The event witnessed the organization of bilateral meetings and business meetings between members of the participating delegation from government agencies, institutions and private sector companies in Abu Dhabi and Chinese investors and company officials with the aim of enhancing investment and trade flows from China to Abu Dhabi and supporting the expansion of local companies in Chinese markets .

The meetings reviewed the components of the promising business system in Abu Dhabi, which allows the Chinese business community to benefit from the business-supportive investment environment enjoyed by the emirate, which is moving at an accelerated pace towards growth and access to foreign markets .

The organization of the business meeting in Shanghai comes within the framework of strengthening economic relations and partnerships between the business communities in Abu Dhabi and China, in addition to supporting investors and local companies to conclude constructive partnerships in China, which contributes to enhancing trade exchange and joint investments .