The UAE Ministry of Investment has signed a partnership framework with the World Bank to bolster the country’s investment climate. The collaboration is designed to reinforce the UAE’s standing as a leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) and align its regulatory environment with international best practices.
Quick Facts
- Partnership signed with the World Bank.
- Targets doubling annual FDI to $65 billion by 2031.
- Builds on UAE’s 2024 entry into top 10 FDI destinations.
A Strategic Push for Global Capital
At the core of the agreement is a shared goal to ensure the UAE’s investment environment is predictable, transparent, and competitive. The partnership falls under a broader framework agreement established between the World Bank and the UAE Ministry of Finance in 2019.
Through this initiative, the World Bank will apply its global knowledge to support the UAE’s investment reform agenda. The focus will be on strengthening the institutional foundations required to attract and retain quality investments, positioning the country to capitalize on shifts in the global economy. The agreement was signed by H.E. Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment, and Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations for the MENAAP region.
Building on a Top 10 Ranking
The move comes as the UAE aims to build on recent momentum. The country broke into the world’s top 10 FDI destinations in 2024 and has set an ambitious target to more than double its annual FDI inflow.
H.E. Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment, commented, “Entering the world’s top 10 FDI destinations in 2024 was a milestone, and our ambition is to double annual FDI by 2031 to reach US$65 billion. We remain committed to an investment climate that is ever more transparent, predictable, and competitive.”
Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations for MENAAP, added, “This partnership reflects the World Bank’s commitment to supporting the UAE in building a world-class investment environment. By combining global expertise with locally tailored solutions, we aim to help the UAE attract and retain high-quality investment that drives inclusive and sustainable economic growth.”
The collaboration advances the UAE’s National Investment Strategy, which outlines a clear vision to establish the nation as a primary global hub for capital.
About the Ministry of Investment of the UAE
The Ministry of Investment plays a pivotal role in solidifying the UAE’s position as a global investment hub with world-class connectivity to international markets. By attracting foreign direct investment in critical sectors and fostering public and private sector collaboration, the Ministry leverages the UAE’s fit-for-purpose, investor-friendly environment and ambitious economic diversification goals.
About Invest UAE
Invest UAE is a platform by the Ministry of Investment dedicated to enhancing the UAE’s investment ecosystem. Under the Ministry’s leadership, Invest UAE aims to attract and facilitate foreign direct investment across multiple sectors of the UAE’s economy and encourage partnerships between global investors and nations.
Source: Zawya
