Huawei’s Petal Ads & EternityX reveal USD 1 Trillion opportunity between China and GCC

Huawei Mobile Services’ Petal Ads — in collaboration with EternityX, its certified partner in the MENA region and a leading AI-powered marketing technology platform, has unveiled a strategic new report spotlighting a trillion-dollar opportunity connecting China and the Gulf.

Titled “The New Gulf Horizon: Engaging China’s Affluent in the GCC,” the report outlines how the region can tap into China’s fast-expanding outbound economy across tourism, luxury, and investment sectors.

Unlocking Cross-Regional Growth

The partnership aims to empower Middle East & Africa advertisers with smarter, data-backed solutions to reach Chinese consumers more effectively, while also encouraging Chinese investors and travelers to explore GCC markets.

By leveraging the combined intelligence of Huawei’s digital ecosystem and EternityX’s advanced data capabilities, brands in the region will be able to reach high-value Chinese audiences with greater precision and measurable outcomes.

“This collaboration combines the scale of our ecosystem with the precision of data intelligence — empowering brands in the GCC to turn every customer interaction into meaningful insight and measurable growth,”
— William Hu, Managing Director, Huawei Consumer Business Group, MEA

William Hu, Managing Director, Huawei Consumer Business Group, MEAHuawei

The GCC’s Next Growth Engine

China’s outbound influence continues to surge:

• 145 million outbound trips in 2024
• USD 805 billion in global spending
• USD 192.2 billion in outbound investments targeting AI, infrastructure, energy & logistics

Yet, the Middle East currently captures less than 10% of this flow, presenting a major growth opportunity aligned with regional visions, such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s diversification drive.

The report identifies an affluent, mobile-first demographic:

• 15–20 million travelers
• Over 1 million outbound investors
• 50–60 million high-net-worth individuals

Collectively representing USD 1 trillion+ in commercial potential.

A Data-Driven Blueprint for GCC Success

Petal Ads’ ecosystem reaches 730 million global users, while EternityX’s PilotX Data Management Platform tracks 9.6 trillion behavioral data points, enabling deeper insight into what motivates Chinese consumers abroad.

The report highlights three urgent priorities for GCC advertisers:

1. Bridge Messaging & Market Access
   Align tourism, lifestyle, and investment narratives for stronger resonance.
2. Localise with Precision
   Use Simplified Chinese content and trusted platforms to build credibility.
3. Activate the New Affluent Class
   Engage younger, self-made, and increasingly female HNWIs with personalised campaigns.

“This is a strategic roadmap built on real data… The winners will be those who act first to embed data intelligence in every stage of engagement.”
— Deric Wong, Chief Business Officer, Global, EternityX

Deric Wong, Chief Business Officer, Global, EternityX

From Insight to Action

The report outlines five steps for converting attention into measurable growth:

• Target audiences across every stage of the consumer journey
• Build trust through culturally-accurate communication
• Integrate tourism and investment stories for unified appeal
• Recognize the rising power of wealthy Chinese women
• Remove friction by expanding payment and mobile services

Huawei data reveals that 62% of its users travel more than once a year, and nearly half spend over USD 5,000 per trip, pointing to a high-spending audience ready for GCC experiences.

“This is the moment for the Middle East to lead… Those who turn visibility into measurable outcomes will define the region’s next growth chapter.”
— Iris Guan, General Manager, Middle East, EternityX

Iris Guan, General Manager, Middle East, EternityX

Driving the Next Decade of Growth

Powered by Petal Ads’ DSP platform and first-party data, the initiative offers brands the tools they need to reach and convert Chinese audiencesl; moving beyond visibility to real business impact.

As GCC economies accelerate digital transformation, Huawei and EternityX aim to strengthen commercial, cultural, and tourism ties between China and the region.