The United Arab Emirates continues to strengthen its position among the world’s most attractive destinations for international investment, supported by growing foreign capital inflows, expanding non-oil trade, and an increasingly diversified economy. The latest official figures indicate that the country is not only attracting larger volumes of foreign direct investment (FDI) but is also reinforcing its role as a strategic gateway connecting investors, businesses, and governments across multiple regions.
The momentum comes ahead of the 15th edition of AIM Congress, which will take place from 7 to 9 September 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is expected to gather policymakers, institutional investors, multinational companies, and financial organizations to discuss the future of global investment and economic cooperation.
The original announcement and official investment figures were published by Globe Newswire on August 11, 2026, outlining the UAE’s latest investment performance and the objectives of the upcoming AIM Congress. The original announcement and official investment figures were published by Globe Newswire on August 11, 2026, outlining the UAE’s latest investment performance and the objectives of the upcoming AIM Congress.
UAE strengthens its position among global investment leaders
According to the World Investment Report 2026, released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), foreign direct investment flowing into the UAE reached AED 177.3 billion in 2025. This represents a six percent increase compared with the previous year and places the country ninth worldwide among the leading destinations for FDI.
The report also highlights the rapid accumulation of long-term foreign investments within the national economy. By the end of 2025, the UAE’s total inward FDI stock climbed to AED 1.171 trillion, reflecting sustained confidence from international investors despite persistent uncertainty in global markets.
Another notable achievement is the country’s continued leadership in attracting greenfield investment projects. For the third consecutive year, the UAE ranked second globally after securing 1,562 new greenfield projects, accounting for approximately 38 percent of all greenfield capital expenditure across the Middle East. These projects are widely regarded as indicators of long-term economic commitment because they involve establishing new facilities, production sites, research centers, and business operations rather than acquiring existing assets.
Expanding trade supports long-term economic growth
Investment growth has been accompanied by impressive gains in international trade. Data released by the UAE Government Media Office shows that non-oil foreign trade reached AED 1.937 trillion during the first half of 2026, representing annual growth of 13.1 percent.
Even more striking was the performance of non-oil exports, which climbed to a record AED 452.8 billion, increasing by 23.9 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. The figures demonstrate the country’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons while strengthening industries such as manufacturing, logistics, advanced technology, financial services, renewable energy, healthcare, and digital innovation.
Economists note that strong trade performance complements rising foreign investment by creating broader opportunities for international businesses seeking regional headquarters, supply chain hubs, and export-oriented production facilities. Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to benefit from world-class infrastructure, modern regulatory frameworks, and policies designed to encourage foreign ownership and innovation.
AIM Congress aims to shape the next phase of global investment
Against this backdrop, AIM Congress 2026 will focus on identifying new investment opportunities capable of supporting sustainable and inclusive economic development.
The conference will be held under the theme “Reshaping Global Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future.” Participants are expected to include senior government officials, sovereign wealth funds, investment agencies, multinational corporations, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and representatives of international organizations.
This year’s program is organized around three strategic pillars: Global Markets, Future Economies, and NexGen. Together, these themes will explore emerging sectors, technological transformation, cross-border investment strategies, policy reforms, and innovative financing mechanisms.
Organizers believe the congress will provide an important platform for building international partnerships, encouraging knowledge exchange, and facilitating discussions that can stimulate future economic expansion. Institutional investors, government delegations, and corporate executives will also have opportunities to establish new business relationships and identify investment projects across multiple industries.
The scale of the event has continued to expand. During the previous edition in 2025, AIM Congress welcomed more than 15,800 participants from 181 countries, hosted 1,385 speakers, and featured 431 sessions, underscoring its growing influence as one of the world’s largest investment forums.
As governments increasingly compete for international capital, the UAE’s combination of economic diversification, political stability, advanced infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the world’s leading destinations for global business and long-term investment.