Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The inaugural Forbes Middle East Top Advisors and Investors Summit, held in partnership with Beltone Holding, enabled industry leaders and stakeholders to explore key opportunities in sectors shaping the future — from energy and AI to real estate and finance — participants told Aletihad.
Discussions focused on long-term investment strategies, smart asset management, portfolio evolution, and strengthening regional financial markets, alongside the growing role of AI and fintech in wealth management and SME financing.
Khaled Abu Bakr, Chairman and Co-founder of TAQA Arabia, Rosetta, and GoGas in Egypt, believes the future revolves around energy, finance and sustainability. However, a key component of that is making sure investments are practical, doable, and goal-oriented, he added.
The UAE, he said, serves as an open platform for global dialogue where industry players can freely discuss such insights about future investments and align them with priorities.
Elie Armaly, Senior Director of Business Development at the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, emphasised that security and stability remain key drivers of investment, which are hallmarks of the UAE’s business environment. He added that strong regulations and robust infrastructure further enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
Abu Dhabi, in particular, is fast becoming a global investment hub, with growing international connectivity and a government that provides solutions and opportunities, fostering trust and confidence in a future of even greater growth, according to Roudha Al Marri, CEO of Vision United.
“The investment market is huge and it is becoming a global market. I have investors from Hong Kong all the way to the US, and we are working together to create a destination here in Abu Dhabi,” she added.
Building on the UAE’s growing appeal as an investment destination, Benjamin Ross, Founder of Fern Ross Partners, highlighted the country’s forward-thinking environment.
“The UAE is an incredibly well-run and forward-thinking country, with a government and society that support the growth of key industries, real estate and finance among them,” he said.
