The agreement aims to create a more transparent and predictable environment to attract high-quality investment capital.
In Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Investment and the World Bank have signed a partnership framework aimed at strengthening the UAE’s investment climate and reinforcing its position as a global hub for foreign direct investment.
The agreement focuses on maintaining a predictable, transparent, and internationally competitive investment environment aligned with the country’s long-term economic goals. It builds on a broader framework previously established between the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance (United Arab Emirates) in 2019.
The framework was signed by Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment, and Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations for the MENAAP region.
Under the partnership, the World Bank will contribute its expertise to support investment reforms, strengthen institutional systems, and help attract and retain high-quality investments. The initiative is also intended to position the UAE to better respond to shifts in the global investment landscape.
Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Undersecretary of the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Investment, said the new partnership builds on long-standing cooperation with the World Bank and the 2019 framework agreement with the Ministry of Finance (United Arab Emirates), reinforcing the UAE’s goal of becoming a global investment gateway.
He noted that reaching the world’s top 10 destinations for foreign direct investment in 2024 was a key milestone, and said the country now aims to double annual FDI to US$65 billion by 2031. He added that the UAE remains committed to maintaining an investment environment that is increasingly transparent, predictable, and competitive.
“This partnership reflects the World Bank’s commitment to supporting the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Investment in building a world-class investment environment,” said Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations for the MENAAP region.
She added that by combining global expertise with locally tailored solutions, the aim is to help the UAE attract and retain high-quality investment that supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader strategic vision to position itself as a leading global investment destination under its National Investment Strategy. By strengthening institutional cooperation with partners such as the World Bank, the UAE aims to enhance its ability to attract long-term capital, accelerate economic diversification, and reinforce its status as a globally connected investment hub.
