Private capital investments in the GCC have grown dramatically over the past few years, supporting economic diversification goals of member nations that have been the backbone of broader strategic plans led by their governments. The region has witnessed sustainable growth and evolved at a record pace, which has led to increased foreign direct investment.
Private capital financing in the Gulf countries has seen a rise from $10.4 billion between 2015 and 2019 to $54.8 billion between 2020 and 2024, as reported by S&P Global. Furthermore, the combined value of private equity transactions in Saudi Arabia alone went from $523 million in 2019 to a record $4 billion in 2023, a compound annual growth rate of 66 per cent, as reported by MAGNiTT and Saudi Venture Capital Company. Many global private equity firms have cemented their presence in the Gulf, in financial hubs such as the DIFC, alongside an increasing number of local private equity firms.
We must credit governments’ economic diversification initiatives, one key element of which has been reduced dependency on oil revenues. Other critical initiatives have led to the nations working towards measures that enhance the ease of doing business, such as establishing free zones, introducing legislature to support and protect investors and developing user-friendly infrastructures.
The increased presence of institutional investors, local and foreign, has coincided with a corresponding increase in demand from high-net-worth individuals and family offices seeking access to private market investments. For example, private equity offers an alternative to traditional asset classes that is increasingly attractive to investors, allowing them access to new and emerging sectors.
Furthermore, private equity has brought funding and fresh perspectives to various sectors in the region, leading to growth and contributing to national diversification goals. Investments in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure have boosted the tech and innovation space in the Gulf, positioning the region as a growing hub.
Private equity offers an alternative to traditional asset classes that is increasingly attractive to investors
The healthcare sector is another example of an industry that has benefitted from private investment. The sector has experienced robust growth, driven by rising populations, boost in income levels and increased interest towards health and wellness. Alpen Capital reported that the current healthcare expenditure in the Gulf grew at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5 per cent between 2020 and 2022, reaching $104.1 billion. It is projected to reach $135.5 billion in 2027.
The industry has been able to adapt to fast-growing populations and market demand with private equity-backed expansions in medical facilities, pharmaceutical companies and health tech startups, leading to improvements in overall access and quality.
Across the Gulf, additional areas of opportunity including real estate, infrastructure and energy have reaped the benefits of private equity investments, contributing to urbanisation, the development of modern and smart cities, renewable energy projects, waste management, and sustainable agriculture.
These developments have made an undeniable impact on the socio-economic landscape in the region, improving quality of life, providing employment and business opportunities, improving infrastructure and enabling both governments and private sector players to fund additional investments for the future.
There are plenty more private equity deals in the pipeline, including Investcorp’s multi-million-dollar fund, backed by China’s sovereign wealth fund CIC, which is investing across the Gulf in sectors including health care, consumer goods, logistics and business services.
While few can doubt the vitality, diversification and capital that private equity firms have brought to the Gulf, one must also be aware of potential challenges that may arise in coming years.
Investors may be deterred by some geopolitical factors in the future, affecting the flow of capital. Also, fluctuations in oil prices and global economic conditions could affect the Gulf economies as well as the stability of private equity returns.
Therefore, it is important to remain cautious and avoid counting the eggs before they hatch. The region also has an opportunity to build offerings based on global trends and allow room for flexibility so that the market can adapt to external changes beyond its control.
Diversification is a powerful way to reduce risk and achieve strong overall returns, so it is useful to work on widening the pool of global private equity investments in the region in order for it to face a relatively smaller impact of changing external environments and economic factors.
Governments can also look into regulatory frameworks that protect their national economies, promote regional integration and collaboration while maintaining political stability. Strengthening institutions and fostering a culture of innovation will be crucial in maintaining the momentum of private equity growth.
Private equity has transcended its traditional role as a source of finance to a strategic player in the story of the Gulf’s transformation. From pumping capital into myriad sectors, catalysing innovation and digitisation, improving the quality of life for citizens, providing enriching portfolios to local investors and fostering sustainable development, private equity firms are not only boosting economic activity but also driving the development of resilient and increasingly diversified economies.
As GCC member nations continue to work in synchrony and build on past successes, private equity will continue to be a strong force shaping the economic landscape and paving the way for generations to come.
THREE
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Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
PFA Premier League team of 2018-19
Allison (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company%20Profile
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more from Kareem Shaheen
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
