Gulf Cooperation Council Countries Among the World's Top 10 Economies

The 15th edition of the AIM Investment Summit 2026 kicked off in Dubai yesterday morning, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. The summit, themed “Reshaping Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Toward a Sustainable and Inclusive Future,” brought together participants from around the world.

In his address at the summit, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Al-Budaiwi emphasized that GCC member states have evolved into an integrated economic and investment system, underpinned by a substantial financial and economic base that has bolstered their growth capacity and ability to attract investments. This progress is driven by their economic stability, robust institutions, and clear developmental visions.

Speaking at the 15th AIM Investment Summit 2026 in Dubai yesterday morning, Al-Budaiwi noted that the Gulf economy now ranks among the world’s top ten economies, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.4 trillion. He added that GCC sovereign wealth funds hold assets exceeding $5 trillion, while commercial banks’ total assets reached approximately $3.9 trillion in 2025.

He further stated that total inward foreign direct investment (FDI) to GCC countries amounted to around $792.7 billion in 2025, of which approximately $171.4 billion represented intra-GCC investments, accounting for nearly 22% of the total.

Al-Budaiwi highlighted that the national visions of GCC member states have expanded the role of the private sector, enhanced the legal and regulatory environment, and opened broad avenues for investment in future-oriented sectors, including artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, renewable energy, future industries, transportation and logistics, tourism, financial services, and the knowledge economy.

The 15th edition of the summit saw Kuwaiti participation, with the Kuwaiti delegation led by Minister of Finance Dr. Yaqoub Al-Rafai. Also present were Khalid Al-Zayani, Kuwait’s Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Saad Al-Rashidi, Director General of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance.

For more details: Kuwait participates in AIM Investment Summit 2026 with delegation headed by Finance Minister; Al-Budaiwi: Gulf states among world’s top 10 economies with $2.4 trillion GDP

The 15th edition of the AIM Investment Summit 2026 kicked off in Dubai yesterday morning, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The summit, themed “Reshaping Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Toward a Sustainable and Inclusive Future,” is jointly organized by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade and the AIM Global Foundation. It brings together heads of state and government, finance and economy ministers, senior government officials, policymakers, central bank governors, leaders of financial and investment institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the world.

The summit’s opening session featured a speech by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Qasim Al Thani, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who highlighted geopolitical shifts and supply chain dynamics that are creating new economic and investment insights. In his address, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Ziyoudi noted that geopolitical and technological transformations are reshaping global trade and supply chains, generating new investment opportunities. He emphasized the critical role of technology, artificial intelligence, and sustainability in supporting economic growth and future investments.

**An Integrated Economic System**

During his speech at the summit, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Al-Budaiwi stated that GCC member states have evolved into an interconnected economic and investment system, backed by a substantial financial and economic foundation that enhances their growth capacity and ability to attract investments. This strength is underpinned by economic stability, robust institutions, and clear developmental visions.

Al-Budaiwi noted that the GCC economy now ranks among the world’s top ten, with a gross domestic product of $2.4 trillion. Gulf sovereign wealth funds hold assets exceeding $5 trillion, while commercial bank assets reached approximately $3.9 trillion in 2025. He added that total inward foreign direct investment (FDI) into GCC countries amounted to roughly $792.7 billion in 2025, including about $171.4 billion in intra-GCC investments, representing nearly 22% of the total. These indicators reflect growing economic interconnectivity among GCC nations, with regional integration itself becoming a driver of investment.

He explained that the national visions of GCC member states have expanded the role of the private sector, developed the legal and regulatory environment, and opened broad avenues for investment in future sectors, including artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, renewable energy, future industries, transport, logistics, tourism, financial services, and the knowledge economy.

Al-Budaiwi affirmed that the future of investment in the GCC rests on strong economies, deeper integration, openness to the world, and forward-looking investments. He noted that GCC countries are consolidating their position on the global economic and investment map and aim to build long-term investment partnerships that serve shared interests. He called on investors and partners worldwide to view the GCC not merely as an investment destination, but as a partner in building a global investment future based on trust, partnership, knowledge, innovation, and sustainable development and prosperity.

He praised the UAE’s efforts in enhancing international economic and investment dialogue, highlighting Dubai’s role as a global model for transforming ambitious visions into tangible achievements, turning challenges into opportunities, and generating success stories.

**Ministry of Finance Participation**

The 15th edition of the summit saw Kuwaiti participation, led by Kuwait’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Yaqoob Al-Rafai. The Kuwaiti delegation also included Khalid Al-Zayani, Kuwait’s Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Saad Al-Rashidi, Director General of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance.

Kuwait’s participation in the summit, which gathers a wide elite of government officials, policymakers, financial and investment leaders, investors, and experts from around the world, comes amid discussions on the transformations reshaping the global economic and investment landscape and new investment pathways.

In a press statement, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance said the summit addressed several key topics related to the future of investment and the global economy, including foreign direct investment, global markets, development financing, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, support for startups, future cities, infrastructure development, sustainability enhancement, investment policies, and business environment improvement.

The summit features a wide range of ministerial sessions, high-level dialogues, roundtables, specialized panels, and workshops, alongside opportunities for bilateral meetings between government representatives, investors, financial institutions, and international companies, thereby enhancing cooperation and partnership-building opportunities.

**“Direct Investment”**

For his part, Mohammed Mulla Yaqoob, Assistant Director General for Business Development at the Direct Investment Promotion Authority, emphasized the Authority’s commitment to active participation in international investment conferences and forums to enhance cooperation, and exchange of expertise and experiences in the investment sector.

Speaking at the summit, Mulla Yaqoob described it as a vital platform for investment in the region, bringing together a select group of global companies and investment promotion entities from various countries. He added that the summit provides participants with the opportunity to learn about current trends in direct investment, exchange experiences, and discuss sector developments amid rapid economic changes.

He clarified that the Authority’s participation in such international forums aims to strengthen cooperation among investment promotion entities and investors, and to build communication channels for knowledge and experience sharing. He affirmed that the continued holding of the AIM Summit over the past years reflects its importance as a meeting point for identifying investment opportunities and trends in the region.

On his part, Khalid Al-Zayani, Kuwait’s Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said Kuwait’s participation reflects its commitment to active presence at international economic and investment forums, exchanging views and experiences to enhance cooperation and build partnerships serving shared interests.

Al-Zayani praised the UAE’s excellent organization of the summit and its broad international participation, noting that Dubai’s hosting of this important economic event underscores its status as a global hub for business and investment, and as a platform bringing together policymakers, investors, and business leaders to explore economic opportunities and challenges and to envision new horizons for cooperation and investment.