Chinese companies deepen Middle East footprint
Invest Qatar concludes China roadshow
Invest Qatar has concluded a China roadshow led by CEO Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al-Thani and a senior delegation.
The delegation held senior-level meetings and closed-door business exchanges in Shanghai and Hangzhou with several institutions and Chinese companies with international operations, including WuXi Biologics, SUS Environment, Cainiao, and Ant International. Invest Qatar also delivered a presentation on Qatar’s investment environment and its investor support system.
Honor posts strong overseas growth in Q1
Honor continued to expand its international presence in the first quarter of 2026, according to data released by research firm Omdia on May 27.
The company recorded growth across the Middle East, South Africa, Latin America, the South Pacific, and Southeast Asia. It has also stepped up its push into the mid- to high-end market. In the Middle East, Honor’s shipments rose 73% year-on-year in the first quarter, lifting it to second place in the market.
Pony.ai revenue rises as robotaxi business expands
Pony.ai reported first-quarter revenue of RMB 236 million (USD 34.8 million), up 145% year-on-year. Revenue from its robotaxi business rose 395% from a year earlier.
The company has expanded its overseas operations, with the Middle East becoming a key market. It has begun driverless testing in Dubai and launched public passenger services in Qatar.
Pony.ai’s robotaxi fleet now exceeds 1,700 vehicles across nine countries. Its public services are available in China, Croatia, Qatar, Singapore, and South Korea.
LianLian Global secures DFSA payment license
LianLian Global has obtained a Category 3D payment services license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
With the license, LianLian will be able to build compliant financial infrastructure in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and work with local banks to open client money accounts.
The move is expected to improve its regional fund processing and cross-border settlement capabilities, allowing it to provide companies with more localized payment and collection solutions, help Chinese companies expand into the Middle East, and connect Middle Eastern companies with global markets.
Economic and policy developments
Dubai rolls out measures to strengthen trade flows
Dubai Customs has introduced a series of measures aimed at keeping trade flowing smoothly and strengthening supply chain resilience, Gulf Today reported.
The agency has also engaged logistics companies, the private sector, and trade representatives from multiple countries through specialized seminars, coordination meetings, and business councils to address practical issues such as customs clearance and transportation costs.
Core42 secures HSBC trade finance deals
Core42, the sovereign cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure company under the UAE’s G42, announced that it had completed two structured trade finance deals with HSBC totaling USD 550 million, according to Zawya.
The financing will be used to accelerate its AI cloud and compute deployments in the US and Europe.
Core42 said demand for reliable cloud and computing platforms continues to rise as companies and governments move AI applications from experiments into mission-critical business scenarios.
Boeing, Saudi aviation regulator launch autonomous aircraft study
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation regulator has signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing Saudi Arabia to explore the feasibility of introducing autonomous aircraft in the kingdom, AGBI reported.
The project will be supported by Boeing’s airspace management company SkyGrid and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. It will focus on assessing the air traffic management technology and infrastructure needed for low-altitude autonomous passenger and cargo aircraft.
Saudi real estate fund expands housing support
Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Development Fund has disbursed approximately SAR 1.1 billion (USD 293.3 million) into the accounts of beneficiaries under its May housing support program, Saudi Times reported.
The funds will subsidize profit payments under housing finance programs, helping more families access homeownership and financing support.
Qatar attracts over 3,200 companies in Q1
A total of 3,295 non-Qatari companies established operations in Qatar during the first quarter of 2026, up 66% year-on-year, according to data from Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry cited by The Peninsula.
New commercial registrations also continued to rise, indicating sustained momentum in entrepreneurship and private sector activity. In IP, progress was recorded in copyrights, trademarks, and patent grants, pointing to stronger investment in R&D, technology, and innovation-driven industries.
Qatar government project activity accelerates
The total value of government tenders and auctions issued by Qatar government entities reached QAR 8.6 billion (USD 2.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from Qatar’s Ministry of Finance, The Peninsula reported.
The projects were mainly concentrated in municipalities and the environment, healthcare, energy, culture, and sports.
Qatar launches first REIT
Qatar’s first real estate investment trust, the Salwa REIT Fund, has officially launched and is expected to list on the Qatar Stock Exchange, Gulf Times reported.
The fund was registered by HMK Capital, a locally based asset manager licensed and regulated by the Qatar Financial Centre, and is seen as an important milestone in the development of Qatar’s financial sector.
Salwa REIT aims to provide investors with a more convenient and efficient way to participate in Qatar’s real estate market. It is also expected to broaden real estate investment channels and improve capital market depth and liquidity.
Qatar Chamber hosts entrepreneurship leadership forum
Qatar Chamber, in partnership with the Qatar chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and the Young Entrepreneurs Club, hosted a dialogue forum in Doha focused on entrepreneurship in times of uncertainty, according to The Peninsula.
The forum was held under the theme “Head. Heart. Guts.” focused on entrepreneurial leadership amid risks and challenges, exploring decision-making in a rapidly changing business environment and the practical issues startups face during economic and technological transformation.
This article was adapted based on a feature originally written and published by Al Shasia. KrASIA is authorized to translate, adapt, and publish its contents.
Note: QAR, RMB, SAR figures are converted to USD at rates of QAR 3.64 = USD 1 and RMB 6.79 = USD 1 and SAR 3.75 = USD 1 based on estimates as of June 4, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.