Gulf region accelerates economic transformation agendas through 2033 and raises the bar for foreign capital entry.

Officials emphasize that local presence, regulatory alignment and full Sharia compliance will define the next decade

Riyadh, Muscat and Dubai. The Gulf countries have entered a new phase of economic expansion, driven by ambitious national agendas with milestones set for 2030, 2031 and 2033. These programs are reshaping global markets in energy, technology, agribusiness, heavy industry, mining, infrastructure and strategic investment. However, while new opportunities emerge, the requirements for foreign investors seeking access to Arab sovereign funds and government-backed financial institutions have become significantly more stringent.

This increase in rigor aligns with the public stance of the region’s most influential leaders. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, reiterated during the World Economic Forum that the Kingdom is “in an irreversible process of diversification and modernization,” stressing that Vision 2030 requires “partners with strong governance frameworks, traceable operations and full regulatory conformity, including adherence to the Islamic principles that guide the Kingdom.”

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih recently emphasized that the investment volume mobilized under Vision 2030 in the industrial, energy and mining sectors alone amounts to hundreds of billions of dollars programmed through the end of the decade. He declared that “there is no longer space for projects that fail to meet international standards of auditing, sustainability and governance,” establishing a new level of institutional expectations for companies operating in the Kingdom.

Oman strengthens institutional balance and technical rigor for incoming investors

In Oman, the government has reinforced its Oman Vision 2040 agenda, which unfolds into strategic milestones through 2031. According to the Minister of Economy, Said bin Mohammed Al Saqri, the country is committed to “attracting partners who understand Oman’s institutional culture, respect the national legal framework and present projects with technical maturity and real socioeconomic impact.” He highlighted that Oman prioritizes “proposals that offer financial traceability, legal security, clear corporate structures and compatibility with Islamic commercial ethics,” a direct reference to Sharia-compliant governance.

The Oman Investment Authority (OIA), the sovereign fund responsible for most strategic investment operations, reaffirmed that foreign companies only advance to the evaluation stages after demonstrating documentary consistency, proven technical capacity and financial solidity. The OIA also confirmed that physical site visits will remain mandatory, as personal engagement is considered essential to validate project integrity.

Dubai adopts economically pragmatic approach and enters a highly selective phase under the D33 Agenda, which targets full economic transformation by 2033

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai continues to lead global economic headlines with its D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to double the city’s economic output by 2033. The emirate has taken a more selective and strategic stance. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, stated in an official address that the new economic era “demands partners committed to genuine innovation, institutional responsibility and complete transparency.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, reinforced that Dubai seeks to position itself as a global investment hub focused on transformative sectors such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced infrastructure, creative economy and integrated industrial chains. He emphasized that institutional trust is now “the most decisive criterion” used by approval authorities.

Investment officials from Dubai FDI and the Dubai International Financial Centre have reported that the volume of projects submitted by foreign companies has tripled since 2022, but the approval rate remains low. According to these authorities, only fully structured and legally aligned proposals meet Dubai’s standards.

Sharia compliance, strict auditing and local presence emerge as strategic imperatives

The growing global interest in accessing funds such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the Oman Investment Authority and the Investment Corporation of Dubai is accompanied by a substantial expansion of regulatory requirements. Among the most prevalent are:

• the need for demonstrable adherence to Islamic financial ethics through full Sharia compliance,

• the requirement for independent technical validations, impact assessments, sustainability reports and internationally aligned financial audits,

• the verification of lawful capital origin, updated governance structures, transparent succession planning and complete corporate documentation,

• and the physical participation of company representatives in government meetings, official conferences and technical inspections, which are considered essential stages of institutional validation.

Authorities across the Gulf have reiterated that local presence is indispensable to build trust and demonstrate long-term commitment to the region, emphasizing that complex negotiations rarely progress without personal engagement.

Opportunities expand, but technical expertise and qualified institutional mediation determine who advances

Despite the substantial increase in capital allocated to international projects, most proposals submitted by foreign companies are rejected in the earliest phases. Officials in Riyadh, Muscat and Dubai confirm that inadequate documentation, lack of a governance structure compatible with regional standards and unfamiliarity with institutional protocol are the primary causes of rejection.

As the Saudi 2030, Oman 2031 and Dubai 2033 agendas advance simultaneously, the demand for professionals capable of transforming raw proposals into strategic, institutionally aligned investment dossiers has grown significantly.

Experts working on the ground in the Gulf have become decisive, particularly because they are able to:

• guide companies through government processes,

• ensure documentation meets local legal and cultural standards,

• present projects directly to the appropriate authorities,

• and conduct institutional dialogue with the level of formality and precision expected in the region.

Regional outlook through 2033

Governments across Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed that the coming decade will be marked by structural investments and deep economic transformation. At the same time, they have made it clear that only well-prepared companies, properly advised and fully compliant with the region’s legal, cultural and financial standards will secure a position within the Gulf’s investment ecosystem.

Regional authorities expect investment volumes to grow substantially through 2033, while competition among qualified projects is likely to intensify, creating an environment of selective, high-level institutional scrutiny.