Key Topics Discussed:

• Utilizing artificial intelligence and robotics technologies to enhance economic partnerships between the Arab world and China.
• Cross-border financial cooperation and its role in supporting startups and promoting innovation in the new economy.
• Global investment flows and their role in fostering innovation and supporting the transition to the new economy.
• Business-focused education and knowledge, and their role in empowering the future workforce and enhancing the growth of the new economy.
• Investment in education for more sustainable and resilient entrepreneurial ventures amid global economic transformations.

Abu Dhabi, March 3, 2025: Investopia 2025, the latest edition of The China-Arab Entrepreneurs Summit, was held under the theme “Seizing Emerging Opportunities.” The event was graced by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touk Al Marri, Minister of Economy and President of Investopia; His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Vice President of the Chinese International Entrepreneurs Union and former Prime Minister of France; and His Excellency Chao Liang, Acting Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United Arab Emirates. The summit featured a series of sessions with 18 speakers, and was attended by over 400 leaders, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs from both the Arab world and China.

A New Chapter in Arab-Chinese Relations

In his opening remarks, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touk Al Marri, Minister of Economy and President of Investopia, emphasized that the summit represents a new chapter in the economic relations between the Arab countries and China. He pointed out that the bilateral relations have experienced continuous momentum in recent periods and stressed that the UAE is keen to contribute to the development of this strategic partnership, propelling it to higher levels of advancement and prosperity.

He further added that the UAE and China enjoy strong economic and trade relations, with China being the UAE’s largest trading partner, while the UAE represents China’s most significant partner in the Middle East and North Africa region—especially considering that nearly 15,500 Chinese companies are currently operating in the UAE. “We are confident that the common visions and strategies for expansion in sectors of the new economy will further strengthen the future of our economic and investment relations,” he explained.

A Solid and Growing UAE-Chinese Economic Partnership

His Excellency also highlighted that the UAE market has succeeded over past decades in attracting substantial Chinese investments, with hundreds of Chinese companies investing more than $6 billion in various sectors such as retail, financial services, real estate, and construction. These investments have flourished thanks to the competitive business environment developed by the country, which includes long-term residency programs, 100% foreign company ownership, streamlined commercial licensing procedures, and ease of business setup—all of which reinforce the UAE’s position as a leading destination for business and investment in line with the objectives of the “We Are UAE 2031” vision.

He also noted that the UAE supports the Belt and Road Initiative as a means to promote mutual prosperity and economic development, contributing to the growth of trade, increasing investment flows, and building extensive economic partnerships that benefit both the Arab and Chinese sides.

A Call to Action for a Resilient Economic Future

His Excellency Bin Touk stressed the importance of harnessing modern technologies and enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, transforming global economic challenges into opportunities by bolstering the resilience of regional economies. He stated, “The China-Arab Entrepreneurs Summit is a vital platform to reinforce economic and investment partnerships between the Arab world and China. It offers an important opportunity to explore new horizons in sectors of the new economy, including technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, thereby contributing to sustainable development and shared prosperity.”

From his side, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France and Vice President of the Chinese International Entrepreneurs Union, said, “We believe in the tremendous potential for economic growth in the Middle East over the next decade, and the UAE is an ideal hub for Chinese companies to establish a local presence that connects leading business figures, public policy makers, and communities both regionally and globally.”

William Wang, the Union’s principal representative for the Middle East and Africa, added, “Over the past ten years, we have successfully introduced more than 800 Chinese business and policy leaders to the UAE’s business environment, providing them the opportunity to explore the prospects and possibilities offered by the country’s markets, and facilitating their access to new markets from the UAE, given its openness and connectivity with all regional and global markets.”

New Horizons in Artificial Intelligence and Investment

The summit also featured sessions from elite speakers on both the Arab and Chinese sides. In one session, Ms. Xiuolan, Head of the Chinese Electronics Institute and former Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China, delivered a speech titled “Cooperation in Developing the Robotics Industry… New Opportunities in the Smart Age.” In her address, she shed light on the potential that artificial intelligence and robotics technologies hold in enhancing economic partnerships between the Arab world and China.

A Tripartite Partnership to Support the New Economy

The summit hosted a high-level panel discussion entitled “Financing Innovation and Growth.” This session focused on the Sino-Arab-American dialogue regarding the role of financial institutions in supporting the new economy and industrial development through international cooperation. The speakers discussed the crucial role that financial institutions play in driving industrial transformation and fostering innovation, emphasizing that cross-border financial cooperation is a key factor in supporting startups and enabling entrepreneurs to access the necessary funding to develop their projects.

Boosting the Growth of the New Economy

In a session titled “Enhancing Cross-Border Investment to Support the Growth of the New Economy,” the participants discussed ways to boost global investment flows and their role in supporting startups and nurturing innovation. The speakers pointed out that economic cooperation among Arab, Chinese, and global markets contributes to creating a sustainable investment environment that supports the transition to a new economy by linking emerging markets with global financing.

Building Competitive Capacities for the New Economy Era

Mr. Hamad Al Mazrouei, CEO of the Registration Authority at the Abu Dhabi Global Market, delivered a speech on “Empowering the Future Workforce.” He stressed that empowering these future forces is essential for enhancing economic growth and ensuring sustainable development. Mr. Al Mazrouei emphasized the importance of developing digital skills and enhancing training and qualification programs to meet the changing demands of the labor market, affirming that investment in education and professional development is a cornerstone for ensuring that the workforce can adapt to technological transformations and contribute to the growth of the new economy.

Education for More Sustainable and Resilient Enterprises Amid Global Economic Transformations

Additionally, the session “Unleashing the Minds of Tomorrow” discussed the importance of education in developing business, preparing global leaders to face today’s challenges, and building a more sustainable future. The session focused on the role of academic institutions in reshaping business environments in accordance with rapid technological advancements and accelerating economic changes, with speakers reiterating the importance of investing in education to prepare companies and institutions for a competitive and dynamic future.

Six Partnerships to Propel Arab-Chinese Cooperation

The summit concluded with the announcement and signing of six new partnerships by the Chinese International Entrepreneurs Union with a range of institutions. The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touk Al Marri and Jean-Pierre Raffarin. The list of partners included Investopia; the Permanent Ministerial Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; the Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy; Abu Dhabi Business College; Hub 71; Saal; and WeCarbon.

The Chinese International Entrepreneurs Union (SIEF), with more than 15,000 traditional members worldwide, is a global, non-profit, and non-partisan organization founded in 2008 by His Excellencies Gordon Brown, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, John Howard, and Long Yongtu. Its headquarters is in Beijing, and it has designated the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) as its regional hub since the beginning of this year. The union aims to serve as a trusted platform that connects top business leaders across various industries, continents, and cultures.

Since 2023, the Chinese International Entrepreneurs Union has hosted the “Annual China-Arab Entrepreneurs Summit,” a prominent initiative designed to connect leading business figures and public sector representatives from China and the Middle East.