Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE ranks sixth globally among destinations where chief executives expect to allocate the largest share of investment over the next 12 months, according to PwC's 29th Global CEO Survey.
Led by the US, the rankings also included Saudi Arabia in seventh place – the only other Middle Eastern country in the global top 10.
The survey's regional findings underscore its growing pull for international capital amidst a cautious global investment environment.
Eighty-eight percent of Middle East CEOs and 93% of GCC CEOs express exceptional confidence in domestic economic growth prospects over the next year – the highest levels globally.
Just 55% of CEOs worldwide expressed similar confidence at home, according to the survey.
"This optimism is underpinned by the Middle East's strong economic fundamentals, relatively limited exposure to higher US tariffs, as well as its strategic position along key east-west trade corridors," the report said.
"There is also a sustained focus on long-term transformation that sets the region apart from the rest of the world, with its non-oil sectors making visible contributions to growth."
The World Bank projects GCC growth will accelerate to 4.4% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027.
Western Europe remains the largest source of capital flowing into the Middle East (38%), followed by Asia Pacific (31%), and North America (17%).
The survey's findings also point to the region's rapid embrace of artificial intelligence.
Eighty-two percent of Middle East CEOs said their organisational culture enables AI adoption, while 70% have a clearly defined AI roadmap – well ahead of the global average of 51%.
Moreover, nearly 40% of the survey respondents reported using AI extensively in demand generation, customer service, and support functions.
These trends are reflected in multibillion-dollar partnerships in AI infrastructure and data centres across the GCC region.
Microsoft and Abu Dhabi's G42 announced a 200-megawatt data-centre expansion as part of a $15 billion long-term commitment, while Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company invested $12.9 billion in AI and digitalisation in 2025.
"These moves are positioning the Middle East as a global crossroads for data, compute and intelligent services," the report said.
Rising CEO confidence is also translating into a more active mergers and acquisitions landscape.
Nearly 79% of Middle East CEOs said they plan to make one or more significant acquisitions – worth more than 10% of their company's assets – over the next three years, far above the global average of 41%.
Consumer markets, transport and logistics, and energy and resources were identified as the most active sectors.
While CEOs are becoming more selective amid tighter liquidity, PwC said the focus is shifting towards fewer but more strategic transactions that can secure long-term competitive advantage.
