Shanghai boosts investment cooperation from the Middle East

Shanghai hosted an event to attract investment from the Middle East while providing support for Chinese companies expanding into the region at the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone (Eastern Hub IBCZ) on Tuesday.

China and countries in the Middle East are strengthening rapidly growing economic ties, with trade exceeding $450 billion last year. The region also remains a key source of global investment capital.

Shanghai's commerce authorities, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and the Eastern Hub zone showcased investment opportunities and cooperation platforms. 

Shanghai authorities said it welcomes participation from Middle East's sovereign wealth funds and investment institutions in innovation and industrial development through direct investment and partnerships.

"Middle Eastern capital is very active, and ties between the Middle East and China are getting closer," said Zhao Yugang, deputy director of the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone Administration. "We hope to further expand two-way investment."

He added that the zone will continue organizing investment matchmaking events to accelerate the conversion of exchanges into concrete projects.

The event also highlighted several initiatives, including a Middle East liaison office under Pudong's "going global" service center, a project roadshow platform for regional opportunities, and new services for Chinese tech and construction firms entering Middle East's markets.

The zone has already begun attracting international projects. Last month, a global medical device training, exhibition, trade, and innovation center was launched there. The A3 International Medical Technology Innovation Exchange Center, led by Boston Scientific with Danaher and Siemens Healthineers, was among the first major projects to operate.

Located near Pudong International Airport and Shanghai East Railway Station, the zone focuses on high-end manufacturing, digital technology, and green industries, supporting international business travel, trade, and investment.

This growing institutional cooperation is reflected in rising private-sector confidence. A 2025 PwC survey shows nearly 90% of Chinese companies now plan to enter or expand in the Middle East, while 44% already have detailed expansion plans, up 7 percentage points from 2022. Around 40% reported positive returns from Middle East operations, and over 30% said the region contributes more than 20% of total revenue, an increase of 8 percentage points.