As Gulf countries expand their development and climate finance portfolios, they increasingly interact with China as both a competitor and a partner. Chinese institutions—particularly state-owned enterprises and policy banks—have long financed and delivered renewable energy, transport, and industrial projects across Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the MENA region. These engagements have reshaped the development landscape and set new benchmarks for project scale, speed, and integration.

This Focus Group will examine how Gulf actors can navigate and leverage this dynamic. Key areas include co-investment opportunities, especially where Gulf developers use Chinese contractors, and competition in sectors like infrastructure finance and supply chain development.

This group will assess how Gulf investments can offer distinct value through transparency, local capacity-building, and long-term partnerships tailored to host country needs. It will also consider the geopolitical, financial, and technological risks linked to over-reliance on Chinese inputs, and identify models of triangular cooperation between Gulf developers, Chinese contractors, and recipient states. The goal is to develop strategic approaches that balance collaboration and competition, strengthening the Rihla Initiative’s overall impact.