UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum has been held in Shanghai, aiming to double the UAE-China bilateral trade from $101.8 billion in 2024 to $200 billion by 2030, driven by technology, innovation, Startups, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Machine Learning.
Over 60 Chinese startups working in advanced technology sectors participated at the UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum alongside a distinguished group of leaders and experts from both countries.
The UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum included high-level discussions on the future of innovation and industry, and joint opportunities in artificial intelligence, fintech, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing, reflecting the growing momentum of technological cooperation between the UAE and China.
The event is spearheaded by Emirates Entrepreneurs Association and Vertix Holdings and supported by the UAE Consulate General in Shanghai, China, as well as various Chinese entrepreneurship and startup bodies.
Bilateral trade between the UAE and China has increased from $80 billion in 2023 to $101.8 billion in 2024, supported by surge in investment, visa-free travel, and Belt and Road partnerships. This is expected to surpass $200 billion by 2030, driven by non-oil sectors such as technology, innovation, AI, robotics, startups, renewable energy, and rising Chinese demand for UAE energy and petrochemicals.
Agreements at UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum
A number of agreements have been signed at the UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum by Abu Dhabi-based diversified business conglomerate Vertix Holdings, Emirates Entrepreneurs Association (EEA), China Future Technology Fund (FTF), and the Innovation and Integration under the China Association of Technology Entrepreneurs (CATE).
These agreements will not only solidify the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, but will help boost the cross-border entrepreneurship startup funding and collaboration that will boost two-way investment as well.
The signing ceremony was attended by HE Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai, along with Mr Amer Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Empowerment and Development Committee at the Emirates Entrepreneurs Association and Chairman of Vertix Holdings, and Mr Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the Board of Vertix Holdings, in addition to several senior Chinese officials involved in innovation and entrepreneurship.
This signing at UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum comes as the result of a comprehensive initiative led by Vertix Holdings aimed at strengthening economic and technological ties between the UAE and China, and establishing an advanced platform for sustainable cooperation in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship.
UAE, China Startups
China hosts 116,383 startups, ranking seventh globally, with 32,700 companies raising a combined $1.02 trillion and 146 unicorns. A total of 11,277 investors have participated in 30,526 funding rounds, including 5,813 early-stage and 1,670 late-stage deals.
Over the past five years, 10,460 new companies have raised more than $17.5 billion. China recorded 1,744 acquisitions, 4,717 IPOs, and 25,413 closures, with 1,944 women-founded companies. In 2024, 2,537 VC deals generated $35.2 billion.
The UAE is home to 52,719 startups as of late 2025, with 2,815 raising a total of $97 billion and 11 to 14 unicorns. The startup ecosystem continues to accelerate, growing 32 percent nationwide and 33.4 percent in Dubai during 2025. The government aims to expand the number of companies to more than two million by 2031. UAE startup funding reached $2 billion by the third quarter of 2025, driven by enterprise tech, fintech, and proptech, supported by strong investor confidence and government initiatives.
Amer Al Ahbabi Chairman – Vertix Holdings
“This agreements and our support to UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum will usher in a new era in UAE-China entrepreneurship and Startup eco-system and boost cross-border funding and investment. 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.”
The chairman clarified that Vertix’s role is not limited to enabling cooperation and knowledge transfer, but also includes strengthening its investment presence in these future-oriented fields, contributing to the development of innovation ecosystems in both the UAE and China while creating shared growth opportunities.
Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the Board of Vertix Holdings, said that, “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 states that the UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum marks a major step forward in UAE-China cooperation, helping build a sustainable ecosystem that drives growth and supports entrepreneurship. The company looks forward to hosting partners in Abu Dhabi soon to advance joint work and launch innovation-focused projects that broaden collaboration between the two nations.
