The UAE has secured the second spot globally for attracting greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) — a strong sign of its growing appeal to international businesses. Greenfield investment refers to when a foreign company starts a brand-new operation in another country, such as opening a new office, factory, or facility, rather than buying an existing business.
According to John Cunliffe, Strategic Business Development Director at RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone), the UAE’s strategic location and global connectivity continue to give it a competitive edge. “If you look at the UAE on a world map, accessing Europe, Asia, and even parts of the Americas is easy. It’s not just about flights — it’s about operating across time zones efficiently,” he said.
Cunliffe noted that RAKEZ itself is home to over 35,000 companies, with 80% being either national or international. This reflects how well the UAE’s broader ecosystem supports foreign investors looking to start from scratch.
The UAE’s strong performance in greenfield investment aligns with other international rankings. The country is also among the top 7 global destinations for international tourist spending and ranked 5th in 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking by IMD, according to recent reports. Together, these rankings highlight the UAE’s expanding role as both a business and travel hub.
