Chinese investment bank CICC opens branch in Dubai’s DIFC

Investment bank China International Capital Corporation (CICC) has officially launched its branch at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), strengthening China’s financial presence in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Operating under China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities and trading as CICC (DIFC Branch), the new office holds a category 4 license and is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

CICC’s entry into DIFC comes amid deepening economic ties between China and the UAE, and further underscores Dubai’s growing role as a hub for Chinese financial institutions.

Currently, around 30 per cent of Chinese firms operating in DIFC are Fortune 500 companies.

Dubai a top destination for Chinese investments

“Dubai and DIFC remain a top destination for Chinese investments, further accentuated by a surge in interest from banks, wealth and asset management firms, large corporations, and insurance sector market players,” said Essa Kazim, governor of DIFC. “We are delighted to welcome CICC to DIFC, bolstering the strategic relations between the UAE and China.”

Kazim added that DIFC provides a well-developed ecosystem designed to support Chinese businesses looking to scale across MEASA, and pointed to growing synergies between China’s strengths in research and technology and Dubai’s ambition to lead in artificial intelligence through initiatives such as the Dubai AI Campus.

Chen Liang, chairman of CICC, said the launch of the CICC DIFC Branch is a “significant milestone” in the bank’s international expansion strategy. “CICC remains committed to delivering innovative financial solutions that facilitate cross-border capital flows and foster deeper economic ties between China and key global markets,” Chen said. “

From UAE, a key gateway for the Gulf region, we will build tailored solutions to serve regional clients’ evolving needs while supporting Chinese enterprises seeking strategic opportunities abroad,” he added.

CICC to enable two-way investment banking gateway

CICC is positioning the new Dubai branch as a premier two-way investment banking gateway between China and the Gulf region.

The bank plans to work closely with sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, and major corporations to structure cross-border investments and facilitate greater participation in China’s capital market projects.

Founded as China’s first joint venture investment bank, CICC has been instrumental in the development of China’s capital markets. It combines global best practices with deep local expertise across investment banking, asset management, FICC (fixed income, currencies, and commodities), wealth management, and private equity.

It operates globally through offices in Hong Kong SAR, New York, London, Singapore, Frankfurt, and Tokyo.

With the DIFC launch, CICC is seeking to deepen financial ties under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, while expanding its influence in the region’s financial services ecosystem.