Today marked the conclusion of the fourth edition of the Global Digital Trade Fair in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The event spanned five days and featured a diverse range of presentations and activities, with participation from over 1,700 domestic and international companies, including 360 international firms, which accounted for approximately 21% of the total attendees.
The United Arab Emirates was honored to be the official guest of honor at the fair, alongside Indonesia. This first-time recognition underscores its prominent global status in digital transformation and knowledge economy enhancement, as well as its crucial role in promoting global partnerships in digital trade.
This year’s exhibition took place at the Hangzhou International Conference and Exhibition Center, covering an area of around 155,000 square meters, making it the largest since the fair’s inception in 2022.
The event highlighted digital innovations across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, digital health, virtual reality, e-commerce, the digital economy, cybersecurity, and smart city initiatives.
More than eight main sessions and 34 subsidiary and investment activities were organized, featuring noteworthy events such as international cooperation forums in digital trade, a Silk Road e-commerce event, and special sessions with BRICS nations.
Through its national pavilion, the UAE showcased its prominent projects in the realms of digital economy, fintech, artificial intelligence, and smart innovations.
Abdullah Al-Basha Al-Nuaimi, the UAE Commercial Attaché in China, stated that the nation’s participation in the global exhibition is a strategic move reflecting the depth of economic ties between the UAE and China, solidifying its role as a key player in the global digital economy.
He noted the significant interest in the UAE pavilion from specialists and officials in both government and private sectors in China. The pavilion housed ten exhibitors representing leading national and private institutions in digital transformation and received extensive media coverage and focused interest on the UAE’s advanced digital infrastructure.
The UAE’s digital trade has seen substantial growth in recent years, aided by the national strategy aimed at increasing the sector’s contribution to 20% of the non-oil GDP by 2031. He emphasized that China is a vital partner in this journey due to its advanced expertise and capabilities in this crucial sector.
Al-Nuaimi elaborated that UAE-China economic relations have undergone a significant transformation over the past years, with trade volume increasing more than 800-fold since the establishment of diplomatic ties 41 years ago. The non-oil trade volume surpassed $50 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 15.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Both sides aim to elevate this figure to $200 billion within the next five years.
He pointed out that the presence of over 16,500 Chinese companies currently operating in the UAE, up from 15,500 in 2024, reflects the attractiveness and flexibility of the Emirati business environment, showcasing the Chinese business community’s confidence in the UAE as a launchpad for regional markets in the Middle East and Africa.
Officials at the fair remarked that the UAE has played a significant role in enhancing international partnerships in digital trade, highlighting its advanced digital infrastructure and the growing contribution of the digital economy to GDP.
This edition serves as a culmination of the fair’s journey, establishing it as an annual leading platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise in digital trade and modern technology, attracting increasing interest from international institutions in this vital sector.