UAE joins Hong Kong debt depository to expand access to Chinese capital markets

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates AE (CBUAE) has officially joined the Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) debt depository network in Hong Kong HK, marking a significant step in structural financial connectivity on February 12, 2026. This membership provides investors in the Middle East, including those in the United Arab Emirates, with direct and cost-effective access to Chinese mainland capital markets CN through Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure. As a national central bank gaining direct membership in a core central securities depository, the CBUAE expands investment access for UAE market participants and offers regional investors greater access to Chinese assets.

The integration into the CMU, which is operated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), aligns with ongoing efforts to boost the role of the city as a leading offshore Renminbi business hub. By joining the network, the CBUAE enables market participants to access Chinese mainland capital markets more efficiently, bypassing traditional intermediaries. This structural connectivity step is significant for national central banks seeking to enhance their market participants' reach into the Chinese mainland.