Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, met on January 16, 2026, with Wang Chuanfu, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of BYD, a prominent international manufacturer of electric and hybrid vehicles. The high-level meeting in Dubai focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the automotive sector, specifically accelerating the adoption of sustainable mobility solutions and aligning with the UAE’s ambitious economic and environmental strategies.
The discussions underscored Dubai’s dedication to forging strategic alliances with leading global corporations to foster future-ready industries. Central to the dialogue was the UAE’s strategic goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050, requiring significant investment and technological integration in the transport segment. By engaging with companies like BYD, which specializes in new energy vehicles (NEVs), Dubai aims to catalyze its transition toward a low-carbon economy and enhance its transportation infrastructure with cleaner technologies.
Leveraging Dubai’s Economic Magnetism
Officials highlighted the fertile opportunities available in the UAE’s rapidly expanding market, characterized by a favorable business environment and proactive, enabling policies. Dubai is positioning itself as the preferred regional hub for international automotive and mobility firms seeking significant growth in the Middle East and North Africa.
The discussions also framed this potential partnership within the context of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, an initiative striving to elevate the city among the world’s top three urban economies by 2033. Collaborations with high-tech pioneers such as BYD support this agenda by cementing Dubai’s status as a global epicenter for innovation, technology transfer, and foreign direct investment, particularly in advanced manufacturing and sustainable development.
BYD, established in 1994 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, is a diversified high-tech enterprise actively involved in electronics, rail transit, renewable energy, and the automotive industry. The company achieved annual revenues exceeding RMB 700 billion in 2024. Its New Energy Vehicles have established a substantial international footprint, operating in over 100 countries and regions worldwide as of April 2025.
Strategic Attendees Signal Commitment
The significance of the meeting was reflected in the presence of numerous top-ranking UAE officials, signaling a unified governmental approach toward adopting cutting-edge mobility solutions. Key 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 His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Also present were officials from critical infrastructure and economic sectors, including His Excellency Saeed Al Tayer, CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), underscoring the integrated effort necessary to build the supporting infrastructure—such as charging networks—required for widespread EV adoption.
This exploration of deeper technological and economic ties with BYD aligns with Dubai’s vision to integrate smart, sustainable transport networks across the emirate. Future cooperation is expected to focus on pilot projects, technology research and development, and localized manufacturing or assembly to boost the regional EV ecosystem, paving the way for significantly cleaner and more efficient public and private mobility in the coming decade.