On January 16, 2026, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and UAE Minister of Finance, convened a high-level discussion with Wang Chuanfu, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of BYD, a global leader in electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturing. The meeting, held at the Ruler’s office, signals Dubai’s intensified commitment to expanding sustainable transport networks and accelerating its national transition toward a low-carbon economic future.
The primary focus of the talks centered on advancing cooperative ventures in the automotive sector, prioritizing electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids, and cutting-edge sustainable mobility solutions. This partnership aligns directly with the UAE’s ambitious Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, which mandates significant public and private sector investment in clean technologies and future-ready industries.
Bolstering the UAE’s Green Transition
Discussions underscored the strategic advantage that global technology firms, specifically in the green mobility space, can leverage through the UAE market. Dubai’s rapidly evolving, pro-business landscape, characterized by strategic governmental policies, has established the emirate as a preferred regional nexus for international companies seeking substantial growth in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.
Sheikh Maktoum and Mr. Wang explored how BYD can capitalize on Dubai’s burgeoning status as an international innovation and investment hub. This momentum is further fueled by the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, an initiative designed to cement the city’s position among the world’s top three urban economies by 2033. Collaborations with organizations like BYD—a Shenzhen-headquartered high-tech company founded in 1994 with a diverse portfolio encompassing electronics, auto manufacturing, renewable energy, and rail transit—are crucial to realizing the D33 vision. BYD’s global footprint, which included established new energy vehicle markets in over 100 countries and regions as of April 2025, makes it a potent partner in Dubai’s sustainability drive.
Leveraging Strategic Alignment
BYD’s impressive financial performance, having exceeded RMB 700 billion in annual revenue in 2024, positions the company as a key player capable of bringing large-scale technology and manufacturing expertise to the UAE. The collaboration seeks to identify and implement projects that utilize BYD’s technological innovations to enhance the quality of life and reduce the carbon footprint across the nation’s transport infrastructure.
The strategic importance of this engagement was highlighted by the presence of several high-ranking UAE officials. Attendees included His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; and key leaders from Dubai’s infrastructure and utility sectors, including the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The participation of major private sector stakeholders, such as the Emirates NBD Group and Al Futtaim Group, underscores a comprehensive, government-supported ecosystem geared towards integrating sustainable transport solutions.
The Path Forward for Urban Mobility
This meeting signals Dubai’s commitment to forging robust international partnerships that directly support the urbanization of smart, sustainable infrastructure. For residents and visitors, this partnership promises a faster adoption of cleaner vehicles, wider availability of charging infrastructure, and advancements in seamless public transit systems utilizing low-emission technologies.
As Dubai continues its trajectory toward Net Zero by 2050, alliances with global EV market leaders like BYD are indispensable. These discussions are expected to pave the way for concrete investment agreements and pilot programs that will fundamentally reshape the future of urban mobility in the Arabian Gulf region. Readers interested in Dubai’s economic diversification strategies should monitor forthcoming announcements regarding public-private partnerships in the EV and smart city technology domains.