Prime Highlight
- The UAE ranked second most attractive emerging marketin the Kearney FDI Confidence Index 2025, after China.
- Major multinational firms, including PayPal and Veon, opened regional or global headquarters in the UAE this year.
Key Facts
- Global giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Metaalready have strong bases in the UAE, joined recently by Partners Group, Fortress Investment Group, and Bitcoin.com.
- Executives cite the UAE’s strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and digital maturityas key reasons for expansion.
Background
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reinforced its position in 2025 as a leading global hub for multinational headquarters, powered by investor-friendly policies, advanced infrastructure, and a strategic location linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
This increase is reflected in global rankings. The Kearney FDI Confidence Index 2025 positioned the UAE as the second most attractive emerging market, following China. The UAE has also been ranked in the list of the most competitive economies in the world by the International Institute of Management Development (IMD) in its 2025 report.
Several big companies chose the UAE for expansion this year. In April, PayPal opened its first regional headquarters in Dubai to serve more than 80 markets across the Middle East and Africa. Around the same time, telecom giant Veon moved its global headquarters to Dubai, making it one of the largest multinationals now based there.
Partners Group, one of the largest private equity firms, has opened a regional office in Abu Dhabi in June. Fortress Investment Group also set up an Abu Dhabi office in May, while Bitcoin.com joined the DMCC Crypto Centre in Dubai.
These entrants join global players such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Oracle, Cisco, Visa, and Mastercard, all of which already have a strong presence in the UAE.
According to business leaders, the country is successful due to an open economy, intelligent policy and emphasis on innovation. Allianz Partners, Daikin, and InSinkErator executives pointed out the developed infrastructure, digital maturity, and strategic location of the UAE as some of the reasons why it was selected as a base.
All these actions affirm that the UAE is increasingly becoming a global hub that can help businesses not only tap into a robust regional market, but also open up to larger markets across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
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