Gulf Technological Economic Zone

State Minister for Economic Affairs and Investment and Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdulaziz Al-Murrah, affirmed that investing in infrastructure and localizing specialized industries, particularly technological ones, will make the Gulf region the future of the global economy in the coming decades. He noted that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries possess the capacity to attract new specialized industries and technologies, creating an opportunity to establish or create a new technological economic zone. “So why not call it the ‘Silicon Desert,’ given our desire to localize modern technological industries and our abundant primary energy sources,” he said.

These remarks came during Minister Al-Murrah’s participation in the ninth edition of the World Investment Forum in Doha, organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in the Qatari capital yesterday. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the quality of investments and their economic and developmental impact.

Al-Murrah added, “The time has come to view the GCC as a transformed, integrated economic zone. Gulf countries have all the potential to become the emerging economic region of the future. They are a source of energy, which remains the most critical axis in the coming years and decades. Moreover, human capital is continuously developing, sovereign wealth funds are available, and the regulatory environment for attracting investments is excellent compared to many other regions.”

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Kuwait officials: “Silicon Desert” a new Gulf technological economic zone

State Minister for Economic Affairs and Investment and Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq, affirmed that investing in infrastructure and localizing specialized industries, particularly technological ones, will make the Gulf region the future of the economy in the coming decades. He noted that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have the potential to attract new specialized and technological industries, creating an opportunity to establish a new technological economic zone. “Why not call it the ‘Silicon Desert,’ given our desire to localize modern technological industries while we possess the main energy sources?” he said.

Al-Marzouq made these remarks during his participation in the ministerial roundtable titled “Investment for Development,” alongside the session “The Future of Investment in the Gulf,” organized by the General Secretariat of the GCC as part of the ninth edition of the World Investment Forum in Doha, hosted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in the Qatari capital yesterday. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the quality of investments and their economic and developmental impact.

Al-Marzouq added, “It is time to view the GCC as transforming into an integrated economic zone. Gulf countries possess all the potential to become the emerging economic zone of the future. They are a source of energy, which remains a key axis in the coming years and decades. Human capital is continuously developing, sovereign wealth is available, and the regulatory environment for attracting investments is excellent compared to many other regions.”

He pointed out that Kuwait’s vision for the future of investment focuses not on the volume of foreign investment or other metrics in the region, but on the quality of such investment and the value it adds to the countries of the region. He noted that the Gulf countries have excelled in developing specialized sovereign investments for decades, starting with Kuwait more than 70 years ago. During this period, GCC countries, through their sovereign wealth funds, have contributed to specialized investments that sowed the seeds of success in many companies and sectors, while also supporting numerous economic sectors worldwide.

The discussions addressed ways to enhance sustainable investments, develop investment policies, and expand economic cooperation opportunities at both regional and international levels.

Minister Al-Marzouq stressed the importance of focusing on the quality of investments and their economic and developmental impact, which contributes to knowledge and technology transfer, productivity enhancement, national capacity building, and strengthening the role of the private sector in achieving sustainable economic development. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing economic and investment integration among GCC countries, developing the business environment, and facilitating investment flows to boost the competitiveness of Gulf economies and consolidate the region’s position as a hub attracting global investments.

On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq met with several participating ministers at the ninth World Investment Forum, exchanging views on matters of mutual interest.

Kuwait’s participation in this forum, which continues until the 27th of the current month, reflects its commitment to strengthening its presence at international economic forums, exchanging expertise and experiences, and expanding the horizons of investment partnerships to support economic diversification efforts and achieve sustainable development.

In the future, for his part, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Trade Ahmed Al-Sayed said in a speech that the forum’s slogan, “Investing in the Future,” transcends the traditional concept of investment. While markets may look at the next quarter, countries plan for the future of their generations. He added that, from this perspective, Qatar has invested over decades in human capital, infrastructure, institutions, technology, innovation, and in building partnerships based on mutual trust and shared interests.

He pointed out that the global economy is undergoing profound transformations amid geopolitical shifts, changes in supply chains, rapid technological advancement, artificial intelligence, and the transition toward a more sustainable economy, noting that these factors are reshaping the landscape of global trade and investment.

He noted that Qatar attracted 373 foreign direct investment projects last year, an increase of more than 50% compared to the previous year. These projects contributed to creating more than 15,000 new job opportunities. To sustain this momentum, Qatar launched a $1 billion investment incentive program targeting several priority sectors, including advanced industries, logistics, technology, digital services, and financial services.

He clarified that Qatar recently announced a package of new infrastructure projects worth approximately $38.5 billion over the next five years, alongside expected private sector investments of around $22 billion in the real estate and hospitality sectors.

5,000 participants

For his part, Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), stated that we must today help countries build their own investment strategies, strengthen their institutions, and develop skills and capacities that make investments more productive, while also assisting them in finding partners capable of turning those strategies into tangible realities.

He said that Qatar opened its doors to the world this week, welcoming heads of state, ministers, representatives of investment promotion agencies, stock exchanges, investors, and entrepreneurs, noting that approximately 5,000 participants from around the world are attending the forum.

Half of investments

For her part, Nana Li Collins, Director of the Investment and Projects Division at UNCTAD, delivered a message on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. She noted that in a year marked by deep global challenges, the forum’s slogan (“Investing in the Future”) underscores a fundamental truth: investment is an expression of confidence that tomorrow can be better than today.

She said that sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, advanced technologies, and critical minerals now account for nearly half of new global investments in greenfield projects.

She pointed out that the share of AI, semiconductors, clean energy, and critical minerals in new global investments rose from 17% to nearly 50% over the past five years.

Rebecca Greenspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, also highlighted this trend.

Translating economic ambitions

For his part, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi said that Qatar’s hosting of the ninth edition of the World Investment Forum (WIF 2026) embodies its leading role in strengthening international investment partnerships and opens new horizons for global development and prosperity.

Al-Budaiwi praised Qatar for providing an exemplary model in leveraging its capabilities to attract major international forums and transform them into effective platforms.

to create opportunities and enhance economic convergence among countries, noting that Doha’s hosting of this global forum embodies Qatar’s ambitious vision to consolidate its presence on the international economic map and its growing contribution to shaping investment and development cooperation pathways.

He emphasized that the importance of this forum extends beyond being a venue for exchanging ideas and perspectives, representing instead an opportunity to translate economic aspirations into productive partnerships and to pave new investment routes that support economic diversification, broaden the base of commercial and investment opportunities, and strengthen countries’ capacity to achieve sustainable growth and comprehensive economic prosperity.

He clarified that the participation of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the forum’s activities reflects the high priority GCC member states attach to both domestic and foreign investment sectors, pointing out that investment figures within GCC countries and the value of Gulf investments worldwide are the strongest indicators of the successes achieved by GCC states in attracting investments and in their international expansion in this field.

The Secretary-General concluded his statement by expressing his sincere wishes for the forum’s success and prosperity, reiterating his gratitude and appreciation to the relevant authorities in Qatar for their commendable efforts in preparation and organization, and for providing the necessary conditions that contributed to creating a conducive environment for the success of this international economic event.