Today in Dubai, the third session of the Summit of the Capital Markets for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East began, which will last until tomorrow. It is noted that the economic reforms carried out in the UAE have made it a preferred destination for global investors, both for multinational companies and for ambitious entrepreneurs, thanks to solid regulatory frameworks, leading financial centers, and protected data and intellectual property rights. The country guarantees full property rights for business, provides fast and effective registration and licensing procedures both in free zones and on the territory of the country, alongside tax policies that enhance growth and ensure transparency.
The UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, opened the summit, emphasizing that the UAE has become one of the most attractive destinations for global investment flows. He spoke about the successes of the UAE in attracting direct foreign investments, which amounted to approximately $30.7 billion in 2023, indicating that the UAE continues to occupy a leading position as a major destination for new foreign investment projects in the world, a position it has maintained in the last three years. In relation to financial markets, he noted that the Dubai market is expected to attract more than 138,000 new investors in 2024, 85% of whom are from abroad, which is a clear indicator of global interest in the Emirati market.
He emphasized that while it is impossible to predict the future exactly, in Dubai, we rely not on forecasting but on readiness, and we are confident that thanks to our partnerships and leadership, we can continue to move forward. Speaking about attracting global specialists, Mary emphasized that Dubai has made a tremendous step in becoming a preferred place for talent from around the world, noting that "talent" has become a key resource that large international companies are seeking.
The summit sees participation from 1,500 companies, including decision-makers and leaders from global financial institutions. He also noted that the bond market in the country grew by 8.3% in the first quarter of 2025, exceeding $309 billion. He stated: "These figures do not arise from temporal changes, but are the result of a clear strategy by our leaders to open up our economy to the world."
