The Ministry of Investment has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese company “Jireh” aimed at developing a comprehensive platform for clean energy and manufacturing within the country.
This memorandum is part of efforts to strengthen the economic ties between the United Arab Emirates and the People’s Republic of China, establishing the UAE as a regional hub for advanced energy technology and sophisticated manufacturing.
The agreement was signed in Beijing by H.E. Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Hawari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment, and Li Weiping, CEO of the “Jireh” Group.
Jireh’s investment plan comprises four key areas: deploying standardized small reactors to provide stable, carbon-free base energy, constructing a plant to produce anode materials with a targeted annual capacity of 100,000 tons, and establishing facilities for recycling lithium batteries.
This system is designed for integrated operation, allowing energy generated from the small reactors to directly supply the anode materials plant. The project will be implemented gradually over a period of three to five years.
Additionally, the anode materials production facility will support the UAE’s ambitions to expand advanced manufacturing and enhance local industrial capabilities.
The clean energy elements of the platform align with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to increase the share of low-carbon energy sources in the energy mix while continuing to invest in secure and diverse energy infrastructure.
This integrated platform will reinforce the UAE’s leading position in adopting advanced energy applications, enhancing its attractiveness as a destination for large-scale technological investments.
The Ministry of Investment will play a crucial role in supporting the growth of the “Jireh” Group in the UAE.
The memorandum of understanding reflects the ministry’s strategies to attract quality investments in high-growth sectors, bolstering the UAE’s status as a global hub and driving force for international investments while promoting energy security and sustainable development.
H.E. Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Hawari stated that the UAE continues to strengthen its status as a global center for innovation and industry, emphasizing that Jireh’s commitment to developing a comprehensive energy and manufacturing platform within the country is clear evidence of this. He noted that over the past 40 years, the investment relations between the UAE and China have evolved into a strategic partnership based on mutual investment flows.
He added that this partnership with Jireh is built on this solid foundation, reflecting the depth of our economic relationships with China, which is the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment in the UAE and our largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $100 billion in 2024.
The UAE continues to provide an attractive environment for businesses seeking international expansion, supported by world-class infrastructure, a developed regulatory environment, and a strategic location that connects global markets.
For his part, Li Weiping remarked that the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Investment represents a pivotal moment in “Jireh’s” international expansion journey, positioning the UAE as a strategic market for the group as a leading economic power and a global hub for innovation, trade, and investment.
He added that this partnership allows “Jireh” to align its operations with the state’s ambitious vision, capitalizing on its dynamic investment ecosystem, and showcasing its capabilities in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure.
He explained that this collaboration contributes to accelerating industrial growth plans and enhancing the contribution to the sustainable economic development pathway of the nation, while setting new standards for integrated energy and manufacturing platforms in the region.
By the end of July 2025, the number of Chinese commercial licenses operating in the UAE is expected to reach approximately 16,500, marking an increase of over 18% year-on-year, covering a wide range of economic and investment activities in the country.