For the first time, Investopia participated in the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos through the “Investopia-Davos” initiative, highlighted by a high-level panel discussion titled: “Where Will Global Capital Move Next? Platforms, Policies, and Partnerships Shaping the New Economy.”
The session brought together Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of Investopia; Roberto Hoornweg, CEO of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered and CEO for Europe, Americas, Middle East, and Africa; along with senior policymakers, business leaders, and international investors.
Addressing the panel, Bin Touq highlighted the ongoing shifts in global capital flows, noting that foreign direct investment (FDI) declined by 11% in 2024 to USD 1.5 trillion, compared to USD 1.67 trillion in 2023. He attributed the slowdown to economic and geopolitical changes and volatility in intermediary European markets, forecasting continued challenges for productive capital flows.
“Investors today are prioritizing macroeconomic stability, policy clarity, and cross-regional accessibility rather than relying on a single market,” Bin Touq said. “Returns alone are no longer sufficient; policy frameworks have become a decisive factor. According to the World Bank’s 2024 Global Investment Competitiveness Report, uncertainty ranks among the top three barriers to cross-border investment, alongside financing costs and geopolitical risks.”
He emphasized Investopia’s strategic role in shaping the future of global investment, noting that the platform goes beyond traditional deal-making by creating integrated, actionable investment pathways across new economy sectors. The initiative aligns sovereign priorities with private sector capital to ensure investments deliver tangible and sustainable economic impact while minimizing risks associated with policy or project misalignment.
“The UAE presents an exceptional model for attracting capital, investments, and wealth globally,” Bin Touq added. “Non-oil sectors now constitute 77.5% of our national GDP as of H1 2025, with over 1.4 million companies operating in our markets. FDI inflows reached USD 45.6 billion in 2024, placing the UAE among the top ten global FDI recipients.”
He also highlighted the UAE’s diverse and dynamic ecosystem, home to over 200 nationalities and tens of thousands of multinational corporations, serving as a gateway to Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and European markets.
Bin Touq further outlined recent amendments to the UAE’s Commercial Companies Law, aimed at enhancing legal stability, safeguarding investor rights, facilitating company formation, and supporting business growth. These reforms limit shareholders’ financial liabilities and provide clear frameworks for capital increases and share trading, fostering a more attractive environment for strategic and priority-sector investments.
The panel explored how global capital is increasingly drawn to economies that integrate trade, logistics, digital infrastructure, and financial services while emphasizing future-focused sectors such as the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and digital trade. Sustainability was highlighted as a critical component of risk management, particularly for sovereign wealth funds and global financial institutions.
Discussions also focused on the vital role of partnerships between sovereign entities, the private sector, and multilateral institutions in shaping the next phase of global economic growth. Participants examined mechanisms to translate investment opportunities into bankable projects and align policies with actionable capital in new economy sectors, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading hub for global business and investment.
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, held from 19 to 23 January 2026, convenes over 3,000 global leaders and decision-makers, including more than 65 heads of state and government. The Forum is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing solutions to interconnected economic and geopolitical challenges at a critical moment for the global economy.
