Sharjah FDI Projects Surge 45% as Global Investors Look for Stability
Sharjah strengthens its position as an investment destination as companies increasingly prioritise economic resilience, regulatory flexibility and emerging industries
Sharjah recorded a 45% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in 2025, highlighting growing international interest in the emirate and the wider UAE as investors look for stable and adaptable markets.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), said the changing global investment environment is prompting businesses to become more selective when deciding where to deploy capital.
According to Al Musharrkh, investors are increasingly attracted to economies that combine long-term stability with clear regulations and the ability to respond quickly to changing market conditions.
His comments came ahead of the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum, scheduled to take place on October 14 and 15 at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre.
Sharjah Investment Forum to Highlight Strategies for Adaptive Economic Growth
The upcoming forum will be held under the theme “Building Adaptive Economies” and is expected to bring together more than 80 speakers from government, business, investment and academia.
The event will examine how businesses and economies can respond to major changes affecting global markets while maintaining sustainable growth.
For Sharjah, the forum also provides an opportunity to highlight the emirate’s investment strategy and its efforts to strengthen its position as a hub for production, knowledge and business activity.
Four factors strengthening the UAE’s investment appeal
Al Musharrkh identified four areas that he believes are helping the UAE attract international investment.
1. A diversified economy
Economic diversification remains a major part of the UAE's investment proposition.
Non-oil activities represented 79.4% of the UAE economy during the first quarter of 2026, with sectors including financial services, construction, healthcare and telecommunications contributing to economic activity.
The broader mix of industries gives investors exposure to multiple sources of growth rather than relying heavily on a single sector.
2. Flexible regulations and government policies
The UAE's regulatory environment is another factor influencing investor decisions.
Al Musharrkh pointed to the country's strong international rankings for government-policy adaptability and bureaucracy, as well as its position in legal and regulatory frameworks.
The ability of regulations and government policies to adjust alongside market developments can make it easier for companies to establish operations, expand existing businesses and respond to new opportunities.
3. Talent and technology
Access to skilled talent is also becoming increasingly important as economies move towards knowledge-based industries.
Attracting and nurturing global talent has become a central element of the UAE’s economic strategy. Al Musharrkh highlighted the country's strong position in areas including employment and international experience.
Technology is also playing a growing role in the country's economic development. The UAE appointed a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence in 2017, becoming the first country to establish such a ministerial position.
Al Musharrkh also noted that more than 70% of the country's working-age population now uses AI, reflecting the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into the economy.
4. Getting ahead in emerging industries
The UAE is seeking to channel investment into sectors expected to drive economic growth in the future.
Manufacturing and telecommunications are among the sectors leading greenfield investment into the country, according to Al Musharrkh.
Early investment in emerging industries could give the UAE an advantage as global companies reconsider their supply chains, technology strategies and expansion plans.
Sharjah builds an investment identity around production and knowledge
Within the UAE's broader economic model, Sharjah is positioning itself around production, knowledge and human development.
Al Musharrkh said the emirate's approach is rooted in the vision of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The strategy places people at the centre of economic development while providing investors with a stable environment and defined long-term priorities.
The 45% rise in FDI projects recorded in 2025 adds to Sharjah's growing investment profile and reflects the emirate's efforts to attract international businesses across a range of industries.
As global investors increasingly focus on resilience, regulatory certainty and diversification, Sharjah is seeking to strengthen its role as one of the UAE's important destinations for international capital.
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