Sunstone Development Establishes Anode Production Facility in UAE
Faizan Hashmi | Published September 07, 2026 | 04:15 PM
BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM – 07th Sep, 2026) The UAE Ministry of Investment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sunstone Development Co., Ltd., a publicly listed Chinese company headquartered in Beijing, to support the establishment of an anode production facility in the UAE.
The MoU reflects the UAE’s drive to:
- Diversify its economy
- Strengthen the competitiveness of its manufacturing sector
- Attract foreign direct investment in high-value industries
and underscores deepening investment ties between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China.
The MoU was signed by Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment, and Lang Guanghui, Chairman of Sunstone Development Co., Ltd.
This follows Sunstone entering into a joint venture agreement with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) in December 2025 to develop an anode production facility in the UAE, representing an investment of approximately US$300 million.
Once operational, the facility’s output is expected:
- To replace most of EGA’s current anode imports
- To position the UAE among a handful of countries exporting anodes globally
- To align with the Make It In The Emirates initiative and Operation 300bn.
As part of the MoU, the Ministry of Investment will support Sunstone:
- With establishment and licensing in the UAE
- By coordinating with relevant authorities and connecting the company to free zones, industrial parks, port operators, customs authorities, chambers of commerce, and industry associations
- Through government-led trade missions, investment summits, and industry platforms
This reflects the Ministry’s role in helping strategic investors navigate the UAE’s ecosystem and translate their commitments into long-term operations, as outlined in the National Investment Strategy 2031.
The project is anticipated to:
- Generate skilled employment opportunities for UAE nationals and residents
- Strengthen the country’s domestic manufacturing base and industrial capabilities
- Contribute to the broader diversification of the national economy
By localising a critical stage of the aluminium value chain, the facility will reduce reliance on imported anodes and support the competitiveness of the UAE’s wider aluminium industry.
A joint working group, chaired by the Ministry, will oversee delivery, reflecting its broader role in collaborating with strategic investors throughout the process.
Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment, stated:
"Investment ties between the UAE and China continue to grow, with China now the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment to the UAE."
