In the dual context of global technological competition and the restructuring of geopolitical dynamics, the international expansion of Chinese artificial intelligence (“AI”) enterprises has evolved from a strategic option to an essential survival requirement. The Middle East, as an emerging digital economy hub, is becoming a critical battleground for the global AI industry due to its unique strategic value and transformation needs. This report constructs a practical guide for Chinese enterprises venturing into the Middle East from four dimensions: industrial ecology, policy dividends, risk landscape, and implementation strategies.
Industrial Ecology Reconstruction: Strategic Value of the Middle East AI Market
A Safe Haven in Global Technological Competition
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued the "Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion," marking the first direct restrictions on the export of AI models by the U.S. government. This compels enterprises to establish offshore R&D systems, with the Middle East's neutral diplomatic stance effectively circumventing trade barriers.
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) increases hardware export costs, while Middle Eastern free trade zone policies can reduce costs associated with industrial chain relocation.
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