UAE Ministry of Investment and Emirates NBD Capital Forge Alliance to Attract Global Investments

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Investment has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Emirates NBD Capital, the investment banking arm of Emirates NBD, to establish a cooperative framework aimed at facilitating international investment inflows into the UAE. This strategic partnership underscores the nation's commitment to enhancing its status as a global investment hub.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Investment, and Hitesh Asarpota, Chief Executive Officer at Emirates NBD Capital. The agreement outlines plans to organize high-profile investment summits, roadshows, and networking events, fostering direct engagement between global investors and UAE-based opportunities.

H.E. Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, "This partnership reflects our dedication to enhancing the UAE’s investment ecosystem and creating seamless pathways for international investors. Emirates NBD Capital stands as a testament to the strength of UAE-grown institutions, showcasing the importance of local champions in enabling global capital flows and driving sustainable economic growth on the world stage."

Hitesh Asarpota highlighted the role of Emirates NBD Capital in supporting the UAE's strategic investment ambitions. He remarked, "As a leading financial institution, we are committed to supporting the UAE’s strategic investment ambitions by leveraging our expertise, global network, and deep market insights. This MoU marks a significant step in attracting high-value international investments and continuing to foster long-term investor confidence in the UAE."

This partnership aligns with the UAE’s National Investment Strategy 2031, which aims to attract high-quality foreign investments across key sectors, supporting sustainable economic growth and innovation. By fostering international investor engagement, the UAE continues to solidify its standing as a global financial powerhouse, offering a dynamic and business-friendly environment for investors worldwide.

The UAE has set ambitious targets to boost foreign direct investment inflows. According to Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the nation aims to increase annual FDI inflows to 240 billion dirhams by 2031, a significant rise from the 112 billion dirhams recorded in 2023.

In a related development, Emirates NBD has partnered with BlackRock to offer its wealth management clients access to alternative asset classes, focusing on private markets. Both firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an investment platform tailored to the UAE wealth management market, initially targeting private credit and multi-alternatives. This initiative reflects the growing global demand for private market investments, providing opportunities for portfolio diversification and potentially higher returns.

Rachel Lord, Head of International at BlackRock, commented on the partnership, stating, "We are delighted to partner with Emirates NBD as they build out their private markets platform. Spurred by investor sentiment and facilitated by product innovation, technology, and regulatory advancements, wealth allocations to private markets are predicted to increase materially over the next five years."