{
  "id": 6138339,
  "title": "Gulf remains magnet for foreign investment despite war uncertainty, says GCC Secretary General",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/gulf-remains-magnet-for-foreign-investment-despite-war-uncertainty-6138339",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T12:31:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/2026/09/07/gulf-remains-magnet-for-foreign-investment-despite-war-uncertainty-says-gcc-secretary-general/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Despite the ongoing war and geopolitical uncertainty, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) remains an attractive destination for foreign investment, according to the GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al Budaiwi. During the AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, Al Budaiwi emphasized that the region's economic stability and solid foundations have proven resilient, even as supply chains are reshaped and emerging technologies redefine sectors. While the Iran war with the US and Israel has caused significant disruptions to shipping, energy markets, and tourism sectors, the Gulf states have managed to maintain economic growth, albeit at a slower pace, according to the International Monetary Fund. The region's economic development has been marked by exceptional growth, which has solidified its foundations despite the challenges. The interconnected, integrated nature of the Gulf economic system, built on a substantial financial and investment base, has further strengthened its capacity for growth and attracted foreign direct investment. The Gulf's economic strength is evident in its ranking among the world's 10 largest economies, with a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion. The region's sovereign wealth funds hold assets estimated at over $5 trillion, and the commercial banking sector assets reached $3.9 trillion in 2025. The deepening interconnection of Gulf economies is reflected in the total foreign direct investment inflow of $792.7 billion last year, with intra-Gulf investment accounting for nearly 22% of the total stock. The UAE, in particular, has embraced an open, resilient partnership economy, which has contributed to its success. The UAE's non-oil foreign trade exceeds $1.9 trillion in the first half of 2026, highlighting the confidence investors have in the UAE's model and the overall stability of the Gulf region.",
  "summary": "The GCC economic bloc remains a magnet for investment despite risks such as the continuing war , disruption to shipping, and energy sector volatility, its secretary general said on Monday. While supply chains are being reshaped and emerging technologies are redefining sectors, geopolitical considerations raise the fundamental question of where investment will go, Jasem Al Budaiwi said.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}