DUBAI – The UAE’s advanced infrastructure, investor-friendly regulations and economic diversification are strengthening its position as a global investment destination, with opportunities expanding across industry, energy, transport, logistics and technology.
Participants at RISE Summit 2026, held at Dubai World Trade Centre, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the country’s economic resilience and cooperation among its emirates were boosting investor confidence despite global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
Ludovic Subran, Chief Investment Officer of Allianz and Co-Managing Director of Allianz Investment Management, said the Gulf region had demonstrated resilience amid geopolitical challenges, renewing international investors’ interest in regional markets.
He said investors were becoming more selective amid high interest rates, inflation and trade uncertainty, favouring markets with clear economic strategies, strong partnerships and diversified investment opportunities.
Subran identified economic integration among the UAE’s emirates as a key competitive advantage, with Dubai serving as an international trade and logistics hub, Abu Dhabi attracting and deploying capital, and Sharjah and other emirates contributing complementary economic strengths.
He said infrastructure, particularly energy, transport and social services, offered opportunities for long-term investment returns and protection against inflation.
Commercial property, including offices, logistics facilities and retail developments, also remained attractive despite the possibility of adjustments in regional real estate markets.
Subran further anticipated increased debt issuance across the Gulf to finance infrastructure and development projects.
He said growing investment in artificial intelligence and data centres could improve productivity, although investors needed to remain cautious about high valuations in parts of the technology sector.
Mohammed Saeed Al Raqbani, General Manager of Dubai Investments Industries, said the company was exploring investment opportunities across several emirates as it pursued industrial expansion.
The company’s portfolio spans manufacturing, education, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, with investments in Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Al Raqbani said some projects were still under consideration, while others had progressed to implementation.
He cited Emirates Float Glass as an example of investment in value-added manufacturing and highlighted the company’s international education portfolio, which includes one school in Kenya, two in Egypt and one in Morocco.
Al Raqbani said the UAE’s infrastructure, efficient government procedures and flexible legislation continued to attract foreign investors. Improvements in transport and logistics had also helped the country secure new international projects.
He added that UAE manufacturers were strengthening their global competitiveness through innovation, technology adoption and higher quality standards.
Citing pharmaceutical manufacturer Globalpharma, he said partnerships with international companies demonstrated the ability of UAE industries to meet global manufacturing requirements.
Al Raqbani said industrial diversification, a competitive investment environment and international partnerships would remain important to expanding business operations in the UAE and overseas.
Participants agreed that continued infrastructure development, economic diversification and stronger international partnerships would be central to consolidating the UAE’s position as a global investment hub.
