The start of the World Digital Trading Exhibition in Hangzhou with Emirati participation
Hangzhou on September 25 / WAM / started this morning in Hangzhou, East China’s China Province, the activities of the fourth session of the World Digital Trade Exhibition, in the presence of a high -level Emirati official, with the distinguished participation of the state as an official guest of honor alongside the Republic of Indonesia.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Hussein Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the UAE ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, who heads the state’s delegation participating in the exhibition activities, His Excellency Muhannad Suleiman Al -Naqbi, the state’s general consul in Shanghai, Abdullah Al -Nuaimi, the commercial attaché of the state’s embassy in China, and a number of officials of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, representatives of government and private bodies and national companies participating in the exhibition.
His Excellency Abdullah Al Saleh stressed, in his speech during the opening ceremony, the importance of the event and its role in enhancing international cooperation, praising the good organization and warm reception, expressing great thanks to the government of the People’s Republic of China for its call to the UAE to participate as a “guest of honor”.
He pointed out that the exhibition at this time is of special importance, in light of the urgent need of the world to enhance international cooperation in a creative manner in the commercial and economic fields, especially in the field of digital trade, which represents a major pillar to accelerate global economic growth and achieve sustainable development.
He explained that the relations between the UAE and China have witnessed unprecedented growth during the past four decades, until the UAE has become the first commercial partner of China in the illegal trade in the Middle East and Africa, and it has become a major crossing for more than 60% of China’s trade with the region, noting that China is currently occupying the position of the first trade partner of the UAE in the world, in a clear embodiment of the depth of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
His Excellency said that the UAE has taken advanced steps in the field of digital transformation, by adopting ambitious national strategies such as the Emirates AI strategy 2031 and the strategy of digital economy 2031, which aims to make the country a global center for the digital economy.
He pointed out that the UAE was the first country in the world to appoint a minister of artificial intelligence in 2017, which reflects the pre -emptive vision of the state and preceded it in integrating artificial intelligence technologies into its governmental and economic system.
He stated that the digital economy is currently contributing 12% of the non -oil GDP of the UAE, with the state aspiring to double this percentage to 20% by 2031, which enhances its position as an attractive environment for digital investments and a major center for advanced technologies in the region and the world.
His Excellency stressed that the UAE came in the tenth place globally as the largest destination for foreign direct investment flows, as it recorded flows of $ 45.6 billion in 2024, according to the World Investment Report 2025 issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
He pointed out that the volume of Chinese investments in the Emirates amounted to about 9 billion dollars.
His Excellency Al Saleh sent an open invitation to Chinese companies operating in the digital trade sector and future technologies to look at the UAE as a strategic starting point to reach the markets of the Middle East, Africa and Asia, benefiting from the state’s position as a global center for trade and logistics.
He explained that more than 16,500 Chinese companies are currently operating in the UAE, and a large part of it is concentrated in this vital sector, which reflects the depth of the economic partnership and the size of the opportunities available to enhance future cooperation.
For his part, Wang Dong Ming, Vice -Chairman of the Permanent Committee of the National Council of Chinese People’s Representatives, said in the official opening speech that digital trade witnessed a continuous and fast development, and has become a new trend and a major engines for the economy, pointing out that on the initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, this exhibition is held to collect various countries, and after 3 years the exhibition plays an important role in exchanging knowledge and developing digital trade, in a way that contributes to growth Chinese and global economy.
He added that the world is witnessing major events that impose uncertainty for the future of the economy, and for this we launched conferences for technology, modernity, innovation and digital trade to stand on the right side of history to prevail in peace in light of achieving economic globalization, and we are working to develop an open global economy, stressing that China is ready to work with all countries of the world to improve the level of development and provide new opportunities for the world so that each country can achieve sustainable development.
The UAE participates in a delegation of 80 members representing government and private bodies, in a step that reflects the advanced position of the state in the digital economy, and an investment for its selection is a guest of honor for this version, which confirms the strength of bilateral relations between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China, and the growing economic partnership between the two countries.
The national wing of the state in the exhibition includes ten exhibitors from government institutions and private companies, who review the most prominent national initiatives and projects in the areas of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, financial technology, and smart government solutions, highlighting the state’s efforts in developing advanced digital infrastructure and enhancing the innovative business environment.
The exhibition activities will be held during the period from September 25 to 29 this year at the Hangzhou Center for Great Conferences and Exhibitions, on a total exhibition area of 155 thousand square meters, with the participation of more than 1700 exhibitors, including 360 international companies, amid expectations in the presence of more than 40 thousand specialized visitors, including more than 10 thousand international visitors.
It is noteworthy that the Emirati -Chinese relations are witnessing a continuous development in various fields, in light of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, which aims to raise the volume of trade exchange to 200 billion dollars annually by 2030, and to enhance cooperation in the sectors of the economy, technology, education, tourism and culture.
Art /
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
