UAE investment boom: FDI hits record as AIM Congress returns to Dubai
Dubai: The UAE is heading into the 15th edition of AIM Congress with foreign investment and non-oil trade at record level s, as global investors, policymakers and financial institutions gather in Dubai next week to discuss where the next wave of capital will flow. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances AIM Congress 2026 will take place from September 7 to 9 at Dubai World…
Dubai will host the 15th edition of AIM Congress from September 7 to 9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This congress brings together government officials, institutional investors, investment promotion agencies, technology leaders, development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, international market representatives, and more.
AIM Congress is bolstered by the record foreign direct investment (FDI) and non-oil trade levels in the UAE. In 2025, FDI reached Dh177.3 billion, ranking the UAE ninth globally, and the country now holds four consecutive years of record FDI. The UAE also remains the world's second-largest destination for new greenfield FDI projects for three consecutive years, with 1,562 projects accounting for 38% of the Middle East's greenfield project capital expenditure.
Non-oil foreign trade has also surged, reaching Dh1.937 trillion in the first half of 2026, a 13.1% increase from the same period the previous year. Non-oil exports hit a record Dh452.8 billion, a 23.9% increase. AIM Congress' theme this year is "Reshaping Global Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future."
The discussions will center around three pillars: Global Markets, Future Economies, and NexGen, focusing on global capital flows, emerging markets, technology, sustainability, and cross-border investment opportunities.
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