UAE Businesses Target Massive Saudi Investments Amid Boom

UAE businesses are aggressively planning massive investments into Saudi Arabia, with 90% targeting execution within the next five years to capitalize on Vision 2030’s economic transformation. An HSBC survey reveals 78% have strengthened commercial ties in the past six months, drawn by Saudi stability, explosive growth prospects, and its role as a GCC gateway bridging East-West trade. Riyadh’s digital wallet ‘barq’ exemplifies fintech momentum, amassing 1 million users in just 21 days post-launch, revolutionizing cross-border payments.

Diversification drives this surge, with UAE firms eyeing Saudi’s non-oil sectors like renewables, tourism, and logistics, bolstered by $100 billion+ FDI pledges. Bilateral trade hit record highs in 2025, fueled by CEPA agreements slashing tariffs and harmonizing standards. Saudi’s giga-projects, including NEOM and Red Sea developments, attract UAE real estate, construction expertise. Tech collaborations proliferate, with ADGM-Dubai aligning fintech regs to enable seamless banking integration.​

Challenges like talent localization (Saudization) spur joint ventures blending Emirati innovation with Saudi scale. Energy transition unites efforts, with Aramco-ADNOC hydrogen pacts targeting green exports. This UAE-Saudi axis fortifies GCC economic resilience against global headwinds, projecting combined GDP growth exceeding 4% in 2026. Investment flows signal deeper integration, positioning the duo as MENA’s powerhouse.