GCC integration driver of investment: Al-Budaiwi

The story in brief

DUBAI, Sept 7: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said Monday that GCC states have become an integrated economic and investment bloc supported by strong financial foundations,... GCC integration driver of investment: Al-Budaiwi 07/09/2026 Add as Preferred Source on Google DUBAI, Sept 7: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said Monday that GCC states have become an integrated economic and investment bloc supported by strong financial foundations, stable economies and clear development visions. Speaking at the 15th AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, Al-Budaiwi said the GCC economy ranks among the world’s top 10, with GDP reaching USD 2.4 trillion.

Detailed summary

DUBAI, Sept 7: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said Monday that GCC states have become an integrated economic and investment bloc supported by strong financial foundations,... GCC integration driver of investment: Al-Budaiwi 07/09/2026 Add as Preferred Source on Google DUBAI, Sept 7: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said Monday that GCC states have become an integrated economic and investment bloc supported by strong financial foundations, stable economies and clear development visions. Speaking at the 15th AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, Al-Budaiwi said the GCC economy ranks among the world’s top 10, with GDP reaching USD 2.4 trillion. He said GCC sovereign wealth funds hold more than USD five trillion in assets, while commercial banks’ total assets reached about USD 3.9 trillion in 2025. Foreign direct investment stock in GCC states reached about USD 792.7 billion in 2025, including USD 171.4 billion in intra-GCC investments, representing nearly 22 percent of the total. These indicators, he said, reflect growing economic interdependence, adding that GCC integration itself has become a driver of investment. Al-Budaiwi said national visions have expanded the private sector’s role, strengthened legislative and regulatory frameworks and opened broad investment opportunities in future-oriented sectors. These include artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, renewable energy, future industries, transport, logistics, tourism, financial services and the knowledge economy. He stressed that the GCC’s investment future rests on strong economies, deeper integration, global openness and investment in the future. Al-Budaiwi called on investors and partners worldwide to view the GCC not merely as an investment destination, but as a partner in shaping the future of global investment. He said this future should be based on trust, partnership, knowledge, innovation, sustainable development and prosperity. Al-Budaiwi praised the UAE’s efforts to promote international economic and investment dialogue, saying Dubai has demonstrated how ambitious visions can become tangible achievements and challenges can become opportunities. The 2026 AIM Congress opened in Dubai Monday with Kuwait represented Al-Refaie, alongside senior officials, decision-makers, investors and business leaders from around the world. The three-day event brings together participants to discuss investment and economic opportunities.

Background & context

This story sits within UAE's broader reform agenda and efforts to grow the economy as a pillar of non-oil GDP. The region benefits from supportive energy prices, expansionary government budgets, and rising interest from sovereign wealth funds and foreign investors.

Key numbers & facts

Speaking at the 15th AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, Al-Budaiwi said the GCC economy ranks among the world’s top 10, with GDP reaching USD 2.4 trillion.
Speaking at the 15th AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, Al-Budaiwi said the GCC economy ranks among the world’s top 10, with GDP reaching USD 2.4 trillion.
He said GCC sovereign wealth funds hold more than USD five trillion in assets, while commercial banks’ total assets reached about USD 3.9 trillion in 2025.
Foreign direct investment stock in GCC states reached about USD 792.7 billion in 2025, including USD 171.4 billion in intra-GCC investments, representing nearly 22 percent of the total.

Key points

DUBAI, Sept 7: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said Monday that GCC states have become an integrated economic and investment bloc supported by strong financial foundations,...
GCC integration driver of investment: Al-Budaiwi 07/09/2026 Add as Preferred Source on Google DUBAI, Sept 7: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said Monday that GCC states have become an integrated economic and investment bloc supported by strong financial foundations, stable economies and clear development visions.
Speaking at the 15th AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai, Al-Budaiwi said the GCC economy ranks among the world’s top 10, with GDP reaching USD 2.4 trillion.

Why this matters

This matters because activity in GCC markets shapes capital flows, hiring and investor sentiment across UAE.

Economic & market impact

Potential ripple effects across GCC equities, banking activity and investor confidence. Watch listed regional names exposed to the story.

GCC angle

For the rest of the GCC, this is a signal on the pace of activity in the sector. Capital flows and regulatory decisions in one Gulf state typically travel across borders given the similar economic structures and the coordination inside the GCC framework.

Risks & uncertainty

There is uncertainty around the read-through: projections can be moved by swings in oil prices, by US monetary policy tightening that most GCC central banks track via dollar pegs, and by regional geopolitical events. Headline numbers may also be revised when subsequent official data is published.

What happens next?

Watch for upcoming disclosures from listed names in the sector, official macro releases for UAE, and any commentary from regulators or sovereign wealth funds. Tharwa will refresh this briefing as new public information becomes available.

Sources used

Arab Times Kuwait — Business