The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries continue to attract international investors, bolstered by their demonstrated resilience amid regional conflicts and energy disruptions, according to business leaders speaking at the UK-GCC Strategic Dialogue in London on Tuesday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani, chief executive of Qatar Free Zones Authority, expressed optimism about the region’s prospects, stating that the current instability would soon be behind them and that the GCC would reemerge as a prime destination for business and investment. He emphasized that investors are increasingly valuing resilience and stability as key factors alongside financial returns. Sheikh Mohammed also highlighted the anticipated positive impact of the UK-GCC free trade agreement, which, once implemented, is expected to strengthen trade relations between the two sides.

Legal experts noted that GCC countries have been enhancing their regulatory frameworks to become more investor-friendly. Khalifa Al-Yaqout, managing partner at Kuwait-based Al Yaqout and Al Fouzan Legal Group, said that these clearer legal protections reduce uncertainty for UK companies considering investment in the Gulf, thereby increasing investor confidence. This development is seen as a crucial element in fostering deeper commercial ties between the GCC and the United Kingdom.

From an industry perspective, Jason Millett, chief executive of the consultancy and project management firm Mace Group, reaffirmed the region’s ongoing appeal despite fluctuations in specific project opportunities. “We’ve been in the region for nearly 30 years now,” Millett noted, highlighting that the Gulf remains attractive not only for business prospects but also from the standpoint of employee engagement and satisfaction.

The discussions underscored the importance of the region’s ability to support large-scale and complex projects, with UK companies playing a significant role in delivering such initiatives and contributing to the development of sustainable local expertise. Stakeholders acknowledged that these factors, combined with improving legal environments and growing resilience, position the GCC to maintain and potentially expand its role as a key commercial and investment hub in the coming years.