分类： business

The UAE Ministry of Defence and Abu Dhabi Police have finalized a series of high-value contracts totaling Dh25.4 billion during the 19th Dubai Airshow 2025. These agreements, facilitated by the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, encompass 36 contracts aimed at bolstering the nation’s defense and security infrastructure. The deals include the procurement of advanced aircraft, drones, and other critical defense technologies. On the final day of the event, nine new contracts worth Dh1.012 billion were announced, bringing the total value of agreements signed over the five-day exhibition to Dh25.455 billion. Key local contracts included a Dh161.634 million deal with M4 Trading for aircraft procurement and a Dh76 million agreement with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI) for drone acquisition. International contracts featured partnerships with American firms Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, valued at Dh467.913 million, focusing on technical support and advanced identification systems. The Tawazun Council, the national authority responsible for enabling and regulating the UAE’s defense ecosystem, emphasized the strategic importance of these agreements in enhancing the country’s defense capabilities and fostering sustainable growth in the sector. Majed Ahmed Al Jaberi, a spokesperson for the Council, highlighted the success of the event in advancing the UAE’s defense and security objectives through collaboration with both public and private entities.

The Dubai Airshow 2025 concluded on a tragic note as India’s indigenous fighter jet, Tejas, crashed during a stunt performance, resulting in the pilot’s death. The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 PM on the final day of the event, marking the first major accident in the airshow’s history since its inception in 1986. Aviation analyst Saj Ahmad of StrategicAero Research suggested that the crash was likely caused by the stunt being performed too close to the ground, leaving insufficient space for the pilot to recover. The incident, captured on multiple cameras, is under investigation, with experts calling for a reevaluation of high-risk airshow displays. Tejas, developed by India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a single-engine, multirole light combat aircraft designed to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet. Its development began in the 1980s, with its first flight taking place in 2001. The Indian Air Force has been a regular participant at the Dubai Airshow, showcasing its latest innovations and technologies. This tragic event has raised concerns about the safety of such high-profile airshow performances and may lead to stricter regulations in the future.

In the UAE, a transformative shift is reshaping the gold investment landscape. Once confined to traditional gold souks and large upfront purchases, gold ownership has now entered the digital age. With platforms like the Just Gold App, investors can start with as little as AED 10, marking a significant departure from conventional methods. Dubai’s $3 billion retail bullion market is transitioning from physical displays to digital wallets, driven by technology and a growing demand for transparency and trust.

Digital platforms have democratized gold ownership, enabling users to purchase small quantities of 24-karat gold stored securely in insured vaults. This innovation eliminates concerns about physical storage while allowing investors to build real assets gradually. The Just Gold App exemplifies this new era of responsible investing, blending technology, ethics, and transparency to foster confidence among users.

According to the World Gold Council (WGC), investment demand for gold in the Middle East surged by over 30% in the first half of 2025, fueled by digital accessibility and younger investors. Globally, gold investment remains above its five-year average as consumers seek stability amid economic uncertainty.

Trust has emerged as the cornerstone of digital gold investing. Investors prioritize knowing where their gold is stored, how it is insured, and who oversees the process. JustGold addresses these concerns by linking every purchase to the official UAE gold rate and storing gold in Loomis International’s insured vaults in Dubai. The platform is ISO 27001:2022 certified for information security and adheres to Islamic finance principles, ensuring Shariah compliance and real ownership without speculation.

Since mid-2025, JustGold has experienced consistent growth, with transaction values increasing significantly. The average buy transaction value rose from AED 192 in July to AED 1,032 in October, a 440% increase. Similarly, the average sell transaction value nearly doubled, reflecting growing investor confidence. User behavior indicates habit formation, with nearly two-thirds of customers making multiple transactions and over 20% completing three or more trades.

To further enhance investor protection, JustGold is appointing an independent trustee to safeguard customer assets and maintain verified records of vault holdings. This measure aligns with the Islamic concept of Amānah, emphasizing trust and responsibility. In the unlikely event of operational disruption, the trustee ensures customers receive their gold or its equivalent value directly.

Dubai’s status as a global gold trading hub, handling 20-30% of global gold trade annually, provides a secure foundation for digital gold custody. The future of digital gold lies in platforms that prioritize accountability, physical backing, and compliance. For investors valuing security and opportunity, digital gold offers a transparent and trustworthy path to ownership.

JustGold’s success underscores the UAE’s evolving investment culture, where technology and ethics converge to redefine gold ownership. By combining real assets with independent oversight and secure digital access, the platform empowers investors to hold something timeless in a modern way.

In a landmark development for global finance, China and the United Arab Emirates have successfully executed their inaugural cross-border payment utilizing central bank digital currency (CBDC). This pioneering transaction was conducted through the newly established JISR network, representing a significant advancement in both financial technology and international monetary cooperation.

The breakthrough occurred during an official visit by People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng to Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE who also chairs the Central Bank’s board of directors, personally conducted the inaugural transaction. The event was documented by the UAE’s official news agency WAM, which characterized the development as reflecting “the depth of the strategic partnership between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China.”

The JISR platform, developed with participation from financial institutions in both nations, is specifically engineered to streamline cross-border payments while dramatically reducing associated transaction costs and enabling instantaneous settlement. Banking sector expansion is anticipated throughout 2026 as additional financial institutions join the network.

Concurrently, officials from both countries witnessed the technical integration of the UAE’s Instant Payment Platform with China’s Internet Banking Payment System. This interoperability will facilitate secure, real-time financial transfers between the two nations regardless of time zones, enabling diverse applications including educational scholarship transfers for Emirati students in China, remittance services for Chinese expatriates in the UAE, and seamless commercial transactions between enterprises.

The bilateral cooperation extended further with the introduction of the ‘Jaywan–UnionPay’ multi-scheme prepaid card. Developed in collaboration with Lari Exchange, this financial instrument merges both payment ecosystems to provide extensive global accessibility through UnionPay’s international network spanning more than 180 countries while maintaining local transaction efficiency within the UAE.

Complementing these achievements, central bank governors from both nations formalized their commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing cooperation in cross-border payment systems, advancing financial infrastructure development, and supporting joint strategic initiatives to deepen the comprehensive bilateral partnership.

Chaoyang District, a pivotal economic hub in Beijing, is on track to achieve a GDP exceeding 1 trillion yuan ($140.6 billion) by 2026, as announced by Zhao Haidong, Deputy Secretary and Executive Deputy District Head of Chaoyang. This ambitious target was revealed during the Linjia No 7 Salon, an investment-promotion event hosted by the Chinese Public Diplomacy Association. Zhao highlighted Chaoyang’s robust economic foundation, noting that the district is home to over 1,800 licensed financial institutions, including nearly 400 foreign-invested entities, accounting for approximately 65% of Beijing’s total. Additionally, Chaoyang serves as a central hub for international resources, hosting 90% of foreign media outlets with Beijing offices, 80% of international organizations and chambers of commerce, and 70% of multinational regional headquarters in the capital. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25), the district saw the establishment of 2,481 new foreign enterprises, the highest number citywide. Chaoyang also hosts more than half of Beijing’s international conferences and over one-third of its international exhibitions annually. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–30), Zhao emphasized the district’s commitment to developing a modern industrial system and providing a high-quality business environment for global companies. Chaoyang’s GDP grew by 5.3% in the first three quarters of this year, underscoring its dynamic economic momentum.

As global markets ride the wave of irrational AI exuberance, China’s soaring stock valuations appear increasingly disconnected from economic fundamentals. The world’s second-largest economy is slowing, with deflationary pressures persisting. Despite this, Chinese equities are rallying to decade highs, creating a critical challenge for President Xi Jinping to bridge the gap between investor optimism and the $19 trillion economy’s financial realities. Xi’s administration must act decisively to implement the 15th Five-Year Plan, unveiled in October, which emphasizes technological self-reliance, efficient manufacturing, and a green transformation. Key priorities include boosting domestic consumption, leveling industry playing fields, and advancing the ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative, which targets dominance in AI, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and other future technologies. However, the plan’s execution remains a significant hurdle. Since 2013, Xi has championed market-driven reforms, yet the gap between rhetoric and action persists. As deflation deepens and US tariffs impact global demand, Beijing faces the temptation to prioritize short-term stimulus over long-term structural reforms. Premier Li Qiang’s ability to balance these competing demands in 2026 will be crucial. Meanwhile, global investors are increasingly drawn to Chinese tech stocks, driven by successes like BYD, DeepSeek, and Alibaba. Despite concerns over deflation and property sector woes, China’s stock market rally shows resilience, with analysts noting that valuations remain below their 2015-2021 peak. However, economists warn that prolonged deflation could erode profits, weaken consumer confidence, and entrench weak domestic demand. The success of Xi’s economic strategy hinges on effectively implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan, fostering domestic consumption, and addressing structural vulnerabilities. As the global AI frenzy continues, China’s ability to navigate these challenges will determine its economic trajectory in the years ahead.

In a landmark move to bolster economic ties, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled plans to invest up to $50 billion in Canada across key sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), energy, logistics, and mining. This strategic initiative, approved by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and driving mutual prosperity. The announcement came during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to the UAE, where both nations signed an agreement to enhance investment protection and promotion, further solidifying their economic collaboration. The UAE’s foreign direct investment stock in Canada stood at approximately $8.8 billion in 2024, significantly outpacing Canada’s $242 million in direct investments in the UAE during the same period. This new framework reflects the UAE’s position as a leading global investor and its dedication to supporting shared development goals with Canada.