The UAE–China Entrepreneurs Forum opened in Shanghai on Saturday, with organisers expecting the event to contribute to doubling bilateral trade between the two nations from US$101.8 billion in 2024 to US$200 billion by 2030. The planned growth is expected to be driven by increased collaboration in technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, advanced manufacturing and the wider start-up ecosystem.
More than 60 Chinese start-ups in advanced technology sectors took part, joining senior officials, business leaders and experts from both countries. The Forum is hosting a series of high-level discussions exploring future trends in innovation, cross-border opportunities in fintech, AI, sustainability and industrial development, reflecting the expansion of technological cooperation between the UAE and China.
The event is organised by the Emirates Entrepreneurs Association and Vertix Holdings, with support from the UAE Consulate General in Shanghai and multiple Chinese entrepreneurship organisations.
Bilateral trade between the two countries rose from US$80 billion in 2023 to US$101.8 billion in 2024, backed by strong investment flows, visa-free travel arrangements, and the infrastructure links of the Belt and Road Initiative. That figure is projected to surpass US$200 billion by the end of the decade, with non-oil sectors such as technology, AI, robotics, renewable energy and the start-up economy contributing heavily alongside China’s continued demand for UAE energy and petrochemical supplies.
Several agreements were signed during the Forum involving Vertix Holdings, the Emirates Entrepreneurs Association (EEA), China Future Technology Fund (FTF), and the Innovation and Integration division under the China Association of Technology Entrepreneurs (CATE). The partnerships aim to support greater cross-border entrepreneurship, start-up funding and joint investment.
The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai; Mr Amer Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Empowerment and Development Committee at the Emirates Entrepreneurs Association and Chairman of Vertix Holdings; Mr Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of Vertix Holdings; and senior Chinese representatives in the innovation and entrepreneurship sectors.
According to organisers, the agreements form part of a wider initiative led by Vertix Holdings to deepen long-term economic and technological collaboration between both nations. The objective is to create an advanced platform that supports sustainable cooperation in innovation, start-up development and emerging technologies.
China remains one of the world’s largest start-up ecosystems, with more than 116,383 start-ups operating across the country. Of these, 32,700 companies have collectively raised US$1.02 trillion in venture capital and private equity. The country is home to 146 unicorns, and 11,277 investors have participated in 30,526 funding rounds. A total of 5,813 start-ups have raised early-stage funding, while 1,670 have secured late-stage investment. Over the past five years, 10,460 new companies have been founded, attracting over US$17.5 billion in funding. China’s ecosystem has also seen 1,744 acquisitions and 4,717 IPOs, while 25,413 start-ups ceased operations. Additionally, 1,944 companies have been founded by women. In 2024, China recorded 2,537 VC deals with a total disclosed value of US$35.2 billion.
The UAE’s start-up ecosystem, meanwhile, continues to expand rapidly. By late 2025, the country had 52,719 start-ups, with around 2,815 of these collectively raising approximately US$97 billion in venture capital and private equity. The UAE has between 11 and 14 unicorns as of late 2025. Growth across the ecosystem has accelerated, with a reported annual rate of +32 percent nationwide and +33.4 percent in Dubai during 2025. Government projections aim to increase the number of companies operating in the UAE to more than two million by 2031.
Funding activity has strengthened in 2025, with tech investment hitting US$2 billion by Q3, driven by enterprise software, fintech and proptech. Market confidence, state-backed initiatives and major fundraising rounds have contributed to the momentum.
“Today’s agreements and our support to UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum will usher in a new era in UAE-China entrepreneurship and Start-up eco-system and boost cross-border funding and investment,” said Mr Amer Al Ahbabi. “These initiatives and cooperation agreements align with Vertix Holdings’ direction toward building a collaborative ecosystem and strategic partnerships that support and invest in emerging technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, smart computing, microchips, and research and development.”
He added that Vertix’s involvement extends beyond enabling cooperation, emphasising its goal of strengthening investment presence in technologically advanced sectors and supporting innovation ecosystems in both countries.
In remarks thanking the UAE Consulate General in Shanghai, Khalifa Al Dhaheri said: “We look with great optimism toward future cooperation opportunities, and we firmly believe that such initiatives serve as an essential pillar for strengthening economic partnerships, exchanging expertise, and supporting the progress of innovation and entrepreneurship between the UAE and China.”
Vertix Holdings stated that the Forum represents a significant advancement in UAE–China cooperation, describing it as a major step towards building a sustainable collaboration framework capable of supporting economic development and strengthening entrepreneurship. The company also expressed intentions to welcome partners to Abu Dhabi soon to continue joint initiatives and develop strategic projects that will enhance innovation and expand new avenues for partnership between the two countries.
