分类： business

Shanghai has solidified its position as a leading global hub for resolving international commercial disputes, according to senior officials from the city’s courts. This development comes as Chinese courts, with Shanghai at the forefront, have been recognized for their fairness and efficiency in handling such cases. The World Bank’s recent business ranking placed Chinese courts second in public recognition and third in perceived fairness among 103 global economies, highlighting Shanghai’s pivotal role in this achievement. Lu Weimin, deputy secretary of the Party leadership group and vice-president of the Shanghai High People’s Court, emphasized the city’s commitment to enhancing the quality and efficiency of foreign-related commercial trials, ensuring equal protection for both domestic and foreign investors. The establishment of the Shanghai International Commercial Court in December 2024 has been a cornerstone of this progress. In the first three quarters of 2025, the court handled 1,600 cases involving foreign commercial disputes and arbitration judicial reviews, with a total disputed amount exceeding 21.5 billion yuan ($3.02 billion). Parties involved in these cases hailed from 39 countries and regions. One notable case involved the efficient resolution of a Mongolian arbitration award application within 39 days, which was recognized as a typical example involving the Belt and Road Initiative by China’s Supreme People’s Court. To bolster its professional adjudication capabilities, the court established an international commercial expert committee, initially appointing 20 high-level experts, including eight from overseas. The Shanghai Maritime Court also reported an increase in cases, with 544 first-instance maritime cases accepted in the first three quarters of 2025, marking a nearly 20 percent increase. In terms of rulemaking, seven cases from Shanghai courts have been included in the official case database of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, providing a Chinese model for the accurate application of international conventions. The Shanghai International Commercial Court concluded the country’s first case referencing a document of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods in February, contributing a Chinese example for the global uniform application of the convention. Additionally, Shanghai courts have excelled in the digitalization of cross-border litigation services, achieving a 100 percent electronic service rate for newly filed cases, with online hearings used in nearly 80 percent of them. The Shanghai Maritime Court explored a mechanism of comprehensive authorization for overseas litigation entities, which has been applied in 400 cases and reduced average processing time by about 30 days and litigation costs by nearly 10,000 yuan per case. Werner Schuppisser, a Swiss national and cofounder of a company bringing Swiss ice cream to Shanghai, shared his positive experience with the Shanghai Jing’an district court, which helped resolve a dispute and saved his company. Schuppisser praised the professionalism, efficiency, and impartiality of the Shanghai judges, which he believes provides a business environment that allows his firm to continue to grow.

In a strategic move that underscores the UAE’s growing prominence in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry, the Hinduja Group’s Switch Mobility, the EV-bus division of India’s Ashok Leyland, is shifting its production base from the UK to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). This relocation marks the first large-scale, dedicated manufacturing shift by a global EV bus company into the UAE, positioning the country as a hub for production and export. The decision reflects the emirate’s cost-efficient manufacturing ecosystem, regional market access, and ambition to serve Europe, the UK, and the GCC. The UK facility in Sherburn, deemed economically unviable, will be replaced by an upgraded RAK plant, with an investment of under $3 million. Ashok Leyland’s existing RAK facility, operational since 2008, has produced over 25,500 buses and sources over 55% of its parts locally. The upgrade for EV bus production transforms the plant into a regional manufacturing hub for high-voltage electric buses. For the Hinduja Group and Ashok Leyland, this move is a significant step in their global EV strategy, enabling cost reduction, streamlined logistics, and access to the UAE’s business-friendly environment. The UAE’s industrial policy and investment incentives align with manufacturers seeking logistics advantages into Europe, Africa, and Asia. While the UAE already manufactures EV parts and related technologies, this relocation is a rare instance of a global bus-maker shifting full production into the emirate. Trial runs of the buses are expected in the UAE and Saudi Arabia by summer 2025, with a commercial rollout in the GCC by Q4 2025. The shift also strengthens supply-chain linkages, with components flowing from India and beyond, turning the RAK facility into an integrated production node. This transition signals the UAE’s industrial pivot into sustainable mobility and advanced manufacturing, while the Hinduja Group moves from import-centric operations to locally grounded manufacturing with global reach. For Ashok Leyland, it consolidates its role as a global EV-bus player with production capabilities in India, the UK, and soon the UAE. The move also positions Switch Mobility to win large fleet contracts across the Gulf as regional governments accelerate the adoption of electric public transport vehicles.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is witnessing a transformative shift in its creator economy, with content creators increasingly adopting entrepreneurial roles. A recent report by Visa, unveiled at Web Summit 2025, highlights this evolution, revealing that about one-third of UAE creators have launched new ventures following their content success. This underscores a robust entrepreneurial mindset within the region. The report, titled ‘Monetized: 2025 Creator Report,’ conducted in collaboration with Morning Consult, surveyed over 1,000 TikTok creators across five regions, including the UAE. It emphasizes a global trend where creators are transitioning from influencers to small business owners, driving commerce and community engagement. In the UAE, this trend is particularly pronounced, with most creators expressing confidence in the sector’s long-term viability and having clear plans for future expansion. Despite their ambitions, many UAE creators face financial challenges, relying on personal funds and credit cards to finance their work. Over 35% use secondary personal accounts to separate expenses, indicating a lack of dedicated business banking tools tailored for creators. Payment delays also remain a significant issue, with 42% receiving payments within a week, but late settlements often disrupting cash flow. Interestingly, UAE creators exhibit one of the highest levels of financial confidence globally, with 61% expressing optimism about managing their finances. However, their strong interest in financial education suggests a gap in specialized training that could help creators scale effectively. To address these challenges, Visa announced a pilot program in partnership with Karat Financial, a fintech firm specializing in creator-focused banking solutions. Initially launching in the US, the program aims to provide creators with credit cards and business banking services designed around their unique revenue models. Features under consideration include automated payment tracking, invoice reminders, and fraud-prevention tools. While the pilot will start in the US, Visa plans to gauge regional interest and expand to other markets, potentially including the UAE, by FY27. This move builds on Visa’s 2024 commitment to recognize creators as small businesses and provide them with the same financial tools available to traditional enterprises. The UAE’s creator economy is poised for significant growth, driven by high digital adoption, strong entrepreneurial spirit, and increasing brand collaborations. However, unlocking its full potential will require tailored financial solutions, faster payment systems, and educational resources that empower creators to manage their businesses with confidence. Visa’s latest initiatives—and its research-driven approach—signal a broader industry shift: the creator economy is no longer a niche; it’s a cornerstone of modern commerce. For UAE creators, the next chapter could be defined by how quickly financial ecosystems adapt to their needs.