A senior delegation led by Sharjah's Department of Government Relations travelled to Guangdong Province, China, in June 2026 to explore cooperation across artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, smart mobility and sustainable energy. The visit coincided with AIM Talks China 2026, organised by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, where Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi and Shurooq CEO Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer both addressed more than 400 investors and business leaders.
The numbers behind the mission are concrete. UAE-China non-oil trade reached $111.5 billion in 2025. Bilateral trade specifically between Sharjah and China stood at approximately AED 6.3 billion in the same year, with 851 Chinese companies currently operating in the emirate as of June 2026. On the inbound side, Sharjah attracted 142 foreign direct investment projects worth AED 7.74 billion in 2025, creating 5,673 jobs. In Q1 2026, new economic licence issuances rose 36 percent year on year to 2,991 licences.
On the ground, the delegation held working sessions in both Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Meetings covered digital infrastructure and smart city planning with Huawei, the Shenzhen Urban Planning and Design Institute and Shenzhen Smart City Technology Development Group. AI, robotics and industrial automation were on the agenda with CloudWalk Technology, Sealien Robotics and UBTECH. Smart mobility and new energy discussions involved BYD, WeRide and XPENG, focused on electric vehicles and autonomous driving.
What this means for our clients
For founders and investors tracking where Sharjah is directing its growth capital, this delegation signals sustained institutional appetite for Chinese-sourced technology, manufacturing and logistics partnerships. Sharjah's freezone and mainland licensing environment has historically offered cost-competitive entry points compared with Dubai, and the 36 percent surge in new licences in early 2026 suggests that momentum is real. Companies in advanced manufacturing, clean energy or AI-adjacent sectors considering a UAE base may find Sharjah's positioning — as an explicitly stated gateway to the Middle East and Africa — worth evaluating alongside more established jurisdictions.
We recommend reading the full source report on Economy Middle East for direct quotes and context, and we are happy to walk you through the practical licensing and corporate structuring options that apply to your sector in a Sirius consultation.