Weekly News Roundup · UAE & Qatar | CSC Financial Sets Up Operations at Dubai International Financial Centre; Qatar Issues $3 Billion Sovereign Bonds
China Securities Settles in Dubai International Financial Centre
According to WAM, China Securities has obtained the operational license of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the authorization of Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), officially establishing its regional business base in the Middle East. Leveraging its capabilities in investment banking, equity and debt capital markets, asset management and institutional services, the new office will strengthen connections with Middle East clients, investors and financial institutions, and promote the interconnection of capital markets in China, the UAE and across the world. (WAM)
JD Properties & Development to Build Advanced Logistics Facilities in Abu Dhabi
According to WAM, JD Properties & Development under JD Group has signed an agreement with KEZAD Group (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) to build advanced logistics facilities covering around 150,000 square meters in KEZAD Zone A, which is expected to be delivered in 2028. The project will introduce intelligent automated warehousing, digital operation and green building technologies to provide comprehensive logistics services for local and international enterprises, and is expected to create about 1,000 direct jobs after operation. (WAM)
Dubai Launches Autonomous Driving Test Center to Accelerate Commercialization of Self-Driving Technologies
According to WAM, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in partnership with Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has launched Dubai Mobility Labs in Dubai Silicon Oasis, providing testing and certification services for autonomous driving and future mobility technologies. Enterprises including WeRide, Pony.ai and Tesla have already carried out relevant tests here. The project will promote the transition of autonomous driving technologies from trial operation to commercial deployment, supporting Dubai's strategic goal of 25% of all trips being made by autonomous vehicles by 2030. (WAM)
UAE Government Media Office Releases AI Application Guidelines for Government Communications
According to WAM, the UAE Government Media Office has released the "Guidelines for AI Application for Agents in Government Communication Teams", providing a unified operational framework for government departments to use AI in news planning, content creation, visual design, media monitoring and communication effect analysis, and will carry out special training in collaboration with the New Media Academy. The guidelines require all generated content to go through fact-checking, manual review and institutional approval before release, to promote the safe and standardized implementation of AI in the field of government communications. (WAM)
UAE Launches the World's First Commercial U6GHz Network
According to WAM, UAE telecom operator e& UAE announced the official commercial launch of the world's first mobile network adopting the U6GHz frequency band and 256 TRX Giga-MIMO technology. As an important part of the UAE's national 6G roadmap, this project will provide infrastructure support for high-bandwidth, low-latency applications such as artificial intelligence, extended reality, industrial automation and smart cities. (WAM)
Dubai Real Estate Sales Exceed USD 103.4 Billion in First 9 Months, Market Remains at High Level
According to Economy Middle East, the sales volume of Dubai's real estate market in the first 9 months of 2026 exceeded USD 103.47 billion, hitting the second highest level in the same period in history. Market growth continues to be supported by population inflow, demand from international buyers and a large number of new project supplies. Previous data shows that 104 real estate projects have been completed in Dubai in the first half of the year, with investment exceeding AED 111 billion. After the early-stage rapid expansion, the market is entering a more mature phase, and residential and high-end properties continue to attract global capital. (Economy Middle East)
Sharjah Invests Over AED 1.2 Billion in Central and Eastern Regions to Promote Development Projects
According to WAM, Sharjah is implementing development projects with a total value of over AED 1.2 billion in the eastern and central regions in 2026, covering schools, sports facilities, government buildings, tourist attractions and public parks, aiming to adapt to population growth and improve residents' quality of life. The investment in the eastern region exceeds AED 834 million, and that in the central region exceeds AED 386 million, reflecting that Sharjah is promoting more balanced development across different regions by continuously expanding investment in education, public services and community infrastructure. (WAM)
Qatar Issues USD 3 Billion Sovereign Bond, with Strong Subscription from International Investors
According to Gulf Times, Qatar has completed the issuance of USD 3 billion dual-tranche international bonds, with QNB Capital and others acting as global coordinators, including a USD 1 billion 5-year bond and a USD 2 billion 10-year bond. The subscription scale of both tranches is more than twice the issuance amount, with investors covering Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, showing that international capital still has strong demand for Qatar's credit fundamentals. (Gulf Times)
Qatar and Hong Kong Strengthen Investment Cooperation to Connect Gulf and Asian Markets
According to GCC Business News, the Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA) held talks with Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, focusing on cooperation in financial services, asset management, healthcare, logistics, technology and innovation. The two sides hope to leverage Hong Kong's advantages in connecting China and Asian capital markets to help Qatari enterprises expand their business in Asia; at the same time, give full play to Qatar's regional role of radiating the Gulf and surrounding markets, to provide a platform for Hong Kong and Asian enterprises to enter the Middle East. (GCC Business News)
Qatar Development Bank Launches "Manarat" Advanced Manufacturing Center to Accelerate Industry 4.0 Transformation
According to Gulf Times, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has launched "Manarat", the first advanced manufacturing center in the country, to promote local factories to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies such as automation and artificial intelligence through smart infrastructure, financing and export support. The first phase will provide 16 industrial units in the new industrial zone, focusing on strategic industries including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, electronic communications, robotics and chemicals. The core of the project is to promote the localization of manufacturing through technological upgrading, and improve the competitiveness of Qatar's non-oil industries. (Gulf Times)
Qatar's AI Penetration Rate Rises to 43.5%, Ranking Top 10 Worldwide
According to The Peninsula, Microsoft's latest global AI penetration index shows that in the second quarter of 2026, Qatar ranked 10th in the world, with about 43.5% of the working-age population using generative AI, higher than 41.8% in the first quarter. The AI usage rate in Qatar has continued to rise in recent years, reflecting that generative AI is accelerating its entry into the daily applications of residents and enterprises. As the government continues to promote digital transformation and artificial intelligence strategies, AI applications are gradually becoming an important support for Qatar to improve production efficiency and develop the digital industry. (The Peninsula)
Qatar's Digital Startup Ecosystem Expands Rapidly, with Startup Revenue Reaching QAR 178 Million
According to ZAWYA, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) of Qatar stated that through projects such as the TASMU Accelerator, Digital Incubation Center, Scale Now and SME GO DIGITAL, Qatar has formed an entrepreneurship support system covering enterprise incubation, financing, expansion and digital transformation. At present, the relevant programs have promoted the registration and settlement of 130 startups, achieving a total revenue of more than QAR 178 million (about USD 49.4 million), and creating 1,485 local jobs. (ZAWYA)
Recent Events
Registration for 2026 Beijing International Investment and Trade Fair Is Now Open
On October 29, the "2026 Beijing International Investment and Trade Fair", co-hosted by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Beijing Sub-council and Beijing Chamber of International Commerce, will be held at the Kunlun Hotel Beijing. The conference focuses on investment opportunities in Beijing, cross-regional industrial coordination and two-way cross-border empowerment, bringing together Chinese and foreign government representatives, leading industry enterprises, think tank experts and investment institutions. The conference is now open for enterprise registration and 1-on-1 business negotiation application, building a practical docking platform for two-way investment and industrial cooperation between Chinese enterprises and overseas government and enterprises. You are welcome toclick "here" to submit your registration application. Enterprises with clear docking requirements must submit their B2B negotiation intentions at the same time when registering. The main conference adopts a screening system, and we will arrange the review as soon as possible after receiving your registration and notify you separately.
English Services
Service | KrASIA Launches New English Media Services for Chinese Enterprises Going Global
Against the complex global economic landscape, English coverage is not only an important means to convey value propositions to overseas clients and consumers, but also the accumulation of corporate recognition worldwide. KrASIA (kr-asia.com), an English-language media outlet, is dedicated to introducing Chinese business and culture to the world. Around 60% of readers on its English website are business people from core Southeast Asian countries. With excellent search engine optimization, professional English content, reliable social media matrix, as well as inclusion in top global information and data platforms including Bloomberg Terminal and Dow Jones Factiva, KrASIA helps Chinese companies enhance their global brand. If your company has relevant needs for English communication, or hopes to cooperate with KrASIA to provide global expansion services, please scan the QR code below or click "here" to fill in the form to get the KrASIA media service rate card and contact information of the staff.
Japanese Services
Service | 36Kr Japan Combines "Chinese Efficiency" with "Japanese Expression"
Japan is a business society that is relatively cautious about foreign brands. As a strategic partner of Nikkei, the authoritative media group, 36Kr Japan (https://36kr.jp) provides an alternative path for Chinese enterprises to enter the Japanese market: relying on a vertical media platform that has been recognized by the local Japanese market and always adheres to localized operation, through the content matrix on mainstream Japanese channels such as Yahoo! News and SmartNews, as well as a local business community network of more than 8,000 people, it translates the technical language and business logic of Chinese enterprises into expressions that the Japanese business society can truly understand and accept, helping Chinese brands gain a firm foothold in the local market. If you are considering entering the Japanese market, or want to learn more about consultation and cooperation methods for local Japanese media communication, please scan the QR code below to add the business consultation person in charge. We will provide corresponding content planning and implementation plans based on your global expansion stage and communication needs.
Community | Welcome to Join 36Kr Global Outbound Learning & Exchange Group
At present, the 36Kr Global Outbound Learning & Exchange Group has attracted more than 17,000 people engaged in global expansion, who come from startups, industry giants and investment institutions at home and abroad. In the outbound community, we select and organize daily global cross-border information for members to help them grasp the latest trends; we regularly organize outbound exchange activities to connect the global expansion ecosystem and find potential partners. Welcome to add the WeChat account of 36Kr Global Outbound assistant (ID: wow36krchuhai-xzs2) to apply for joining the group, and go global together!
