Key Takeaways
- • The UAE's next investment cycle may extend beyond property and traditional markets into AI, digital infrastructure, private credit, venture capital, manufacturing and tokenised assets, panellists said at the Gulf Business Investment Summit 2026 held October 30 at the Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City in Dubai.
- • Stefan Schmied, leader of IMEA at LIXIL International (GROHE), said the company's regional business grew 14 per cent in its first half while remaining profitable, a record he said had been sustained for 2.5 years.
- • Shalabh Jakhetia, founder and CEO of ISMOJO, cited roughly $1.7bn raised by 17 VC funds in the region, about 70 per cent allocated to the UAE, but only about $145m deployed.
- • Paurush Sonkar of Stallions Capital estimated that 50 to 60 per cent of investor attention in the region is directed toward AI, potentially leaving blue-collar-focused businesses overlooked.
- • Panellists framed tokenisation as contingent on regulatory clarity, investor education and trust, with Mahmoud Abusway of FRACTUR calling regulation "an enabler" rather than an obstacle.
Summary
The Gulf Business Investment Summit 2026, held on October 30 at the Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City in Dubai, examined how geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption and changing economic conditions are reshaping capital allocation in the UAE and wider region. Sessions were moderated by Gareth van Zyl, group editor of Gulf Business, and Karishma Hingorani, founder and podcaster at Karishma Konnect. According to the event coverage, the central theme was that the UAE's next investment boom may draw on AI, digital infrastructure, private credit, venture capital, manufacturing and tokenised assets as investors seek sustainable long-term returns.
In a fireside chat, Stefan Schmied, leader of IMEA at LIXIL International (GROHE), said the company's regional business grew 14 per cent in its first half while staying profitable, a performance he said had held for the past 2.5 years. He attributed regional strength to population growth and younger demographics, long-standing relationships and government policy. Schmied also described shifting Saudi priorities toward hospitality and commercial development, and said local manufacturing of concealed toilet cistern systems, later expanded to plastic components, helped meet Saudi local content requirements. He cautioned that local production alone was insufficient without market access and distribution channels, and argued that regional businesses need authority to make local decisions.
The venture capital panel offered a more cautious view. Shalabh Jakhetia of ISMOJO cited approximately $1.7bn raised by 17 VC funds, with around 70 per cent allocated to the UAE, but said only about $145m had been deployed. Josh Rodger of Salica Investments questioned whether equity was always the right route for founders, while Madhur Kakkar of Elevate Financial Services pointed to limited exit options and a shortage of venture debt. Paurush Sonkar of Stallions Capital warned that AI attracts a disproportionate share of investor attention, estimating 50 to 60 per cent of it.
On infrastructure and private markets, Alister Wellesley, CEO of EA MENA, identified data centres, electricity, cooling and specialist technology services as opportunities, while cautioning that talent is a major constraint. Sapan Agarwal of Frost & Sullivan named energy and power, cooling and water efficiency, connectivity and automation as priority areas. Salmaan Khawaja of Grant Thornton UAE said sovereign wealth funds and private investors are converging in private markets and that family offices are institutionalising and expanding their interest in private credit. Tokenisation was addressed by Mahmoud Abusway of FRACTUR, who said regulation is essential, and by Omar Haddad, CEO of Al-Futtaim Finance, who stressed that clarity on ownership rights, regulatory protection and exit routes would be required for mainstream adoption.
In a fireside chat, Stefan Schmied, leader of IMEA at LIXIL International (GROHE), said the company's regional business grew 14 per cent in its first half while staying profitable, a performance he said had held for the past 2.5 years. He attributed regional strength to population growth and younger demographics, long-standing relationships and government policy. Schmied also described shifting Saudi priorities toward hospitality and commercial development, and said local manufacturing of concealed toilet cistern systems, later expanded to plastic components, helped meet Saudi local content requirements. He cautioned that local production alone was insufficient without market access and distribution channels, and argued that regional businesses need authority to make local decisions.
The venture capital panel offered a more cautious view. Shalabh Jakhetia of ISMOJO cited approximately $1.7bn raised by 17 VC funds, with around 70 per cent allocated to the UAE, but said only about $145m had been deployed. Josh Rodger of Salica Investments questioned whether equity was always the right route for founders, while Madhur Kakkar of Elevate Financial Services pointed to limited exit options and a shortage of venture debt. Paurush Sonkar of Stallions Capital warned that AI attracts a disproportionate share of investor attention, estimating 50 to 60 per cent of it.
On infrastructure and private markets, Alister Wellesley, CEO of EA MENA, identified data centres, electricity, cooling and specialist technology services as opportunities, while cautioning that talent is a major constraint. Sapan Agarwal of Frost & Sullivan named energy and power, cooling and water efficiency, connectivity and automation as priority areas. Salmaan Khawaja of Grant Thornton UAE said sovereign wealth funds and private investors are converging in private markets and that family offices are institutionalising and expanding their interest in private credit. Tokenisation was addressed by Mahmoud Abusway of FRACTUR, who said regulation is essential, and by Omar Haddad, CEO of Al-Futtaim Finance, who stressed that clarity on ownership rights, regulatory protection and exit routes would be required for mainstream adoption.
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