Top news of the week: UAE & Qatar | Chery's eco-friendly SUV iCAUR makes its debut in the UAE / XPeng officially enters the Qatari market

Chery's iCAUR Eco-friendly SUV Makes Its Debut in the UAE

Chery's electric vehicle brand, iCAUR, officially launched its first SUV model, the V27, in the UAE and plans to gradually expand into the Middle East market. The V27 is a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), powered by a battery and an electric motor, supplemented by a 1.5L turbocharged engine as a backup generator, achieving longer range and lower emissions. The vehicle has a total range of over 900 kilometers, a pure-electric range of 150 kilometers. The rear-wheel-drive model has a maximum power of 449 horsepower and a top speed of 170 kilometers per hour, while the all-wheel-drive model can reach 180 kilometers per hour. The V27 combines performance, comfort, and environmental potential, meeting modern driving needs and supporting the green travel strategy, marking a new step for iCAUR in the sustainable automotive market in the Middle East. (Saudi Gazette)

The Used Electric Vehicle Market in the UAE Grows by 41% in 2025

The annual report of Dubizzle in 2025 shows that the number of used electric vehicle listings on the platform increased by 41% year-on-year, reflecting enhanced consumer confidence. Data shows that over 40,600 electric vehicles were registered in Dubai in the first half of the year, and the charging activities in Abu Dhabi increased by 60% year-on-year. The unified charging rate, cost reduction, and the rapid expansion of the charging network have driven the market development: Dubai has built over 1,270 public charging stations, Abu Dhabi has added about 1,000 charging piles, and Sharjah has built 100 ultra-fast charging points. The used market allows more consumers to obtain long-range electric vehicles at a lower cost, and Chinese brands have gained trust with their price and technological advantages. (Gulf Times)

The UAE Consolidates Its Position as the Bond Issuance Center in the Gulf Region

The total issuance volume of the fixed-income market in the UAE reached $64.9 billion in 2025, slightly higher than the $63.4 billion in 2024, further consolidating its central position in the GCC region. Corporate bonds, especially bank debts, have become the main driving force, and the total issuance of green bonds and sukuk reached $5.6 billion. The total bond issuance volume in the GCC as a whole remained stable, with government bond issuance dropping to $77.9 billion, while corporate bond issuance reached a record high of $128.6 billion. The amount of maturing corporate bonds in the UAE in the next five years will reach $136.2 billion, the highest in the region, and the issuance of perpetual bonds and green bonds has also rebounded. Looking ahead to 2026, the loose monetary policy will support active bond issuance by enterprises and governments, meeting refinancing needs and promoting strategic projects, highlighting the importance of the UAE in the regional capital market. (Gulf Times)

XPENG Motors Officially Enters Qatar, Accelerating Its Layout in the Gulf Market

Recently, XPENG Motors held a brand launch event in Doha, Qatar, officially entering this high-end market. At the event, the XPENG G9 and G6 were unveiled, and the upcoming P7+ model was previewed. Meanwhile, XPENG's flying car, HT Aero, was also on display, demonstrating the brand's future mobility layout. This entry into Qatar is an important step for XPENG to deepen its strategy in the Middle East and Africa region, consolidating its global high-end market layout and laying the foundation for further expansion in the Gulf region. (XPENG Motors)

Qatar Promotes the Government Innovation Accelerator

The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB) in Qatar promotes an innovation culture among various ministries through the "Government Innovation Accelerator." In May 2025, Dr. Abdulaziz al-Khalifa, the Director of the CGB and the Secretary-General of the National Planning Committee, launched this project as an initiative to promote an innovative government under the "National Development Strategy - Phase III." The accelerator addresses specific challenges through cross-functional teams, sets goals, measures results, and promotes alignment with international standards. It adopts an eight-week, four-phase model to support collaborative decision-making and solution development, providing institutional guarantee for the goals of the "Qatar National Vision 2030." Qatar's ranking in the "Global Innovation Index" has jumped from 70th six years ago to 48th, indicating a significant improvement in its innovation capabilities. (Gulf Times)

Qatar's GDP Grows by 2.9% Year-on-Year in Q3 2025

Data from the National Planning Committee (NPC) of Qatar shows that the real GDP in the third quarter of 2025 grew by 2.9% year-on-year, with the non-oil and gas economy growing at a rate of 4.4%. Calculated at constant prices, the GDP was 186.1 billion Qatari riyals, higher than the 180.9 billion riyals in the same period last year. The non-oil and gas economy accounted for 65.5% of the real GDP, with an added value of 121.9 billion riyals. The construction, wholesale and retail, and accommodation and catering sectors grew the fastest, driving the overall economic growth. (The Peninsula)

Qatar Issues Over 7,000 Construction Permits in the First Nine Months

In the first nine months of 2025, Qatar issued a total of 7,138 construction permits, a year-on-year increase of 13.7%, indicating a continuous recovery in construction activities. The number of permits issued each month was higher than in 2024, and in the third quarter, they were mainly concentrated in Al Rayyan and Doha. The construction industry grew by 1.4% last year and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.7% from 2026 to 2029. Driven by investments in residential, renewable energy, transportation, and LNG projects, the construction market is expected to reach $106.33 billion by 2030. (The Peninsula)

Artificial Intelligence Helps Qatari SMEs Optimize Their Supply Chains

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve the efficiency and reliability of the supply chains of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar and reduce waste. Justin Floyd, the CEO of RedCloud Technologies, pointed out that AI can optimize inventory management, improve the collaboration between distributors and retailers, and help small businesses such as bakeries, pharmacies, and restaurants obtain reliable inventory. AI systems can predict shortages, reduce waste, and ensure that customers get the products they need, thereby enhancing the resilience and economic diversification capabilities of enterprises. The AI Trust Foundation and the US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) promoted policies, investments, and cross-border innovation applications during the World Summit AI MENA 2025. (Gulf Times)

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