Business

Bahrain's Economic Development Board attracted a record USD 3.5 billion in Foreign Direct Investment during 2025, with the Kingdom's financial services, ICT, manufacturing and logistics sectors all recording new entrants as Bahrain leverages its strategic Saudi gateway position, competitive costs and regulatory excellence to compete for Gulf FDI.

Oman's Muscat property market recorded 18% price growth in 2025 and is maintaining momentum in 2026, driven by Gulf investors diversifying beyond Dubai, Asian buyers attracted by Oman's residency-by-investment programme, and a growing expatriate professional community drawn by Oman's rising business environment rankings.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is generating AED 2 billion in projected revenue for Gulf hospitality businesses through match-day F&B, sports tourism packages and Saudi Arabia fan travel to North America, with UAE hotels, sports bars and airlines all reporting record bookings during Saudi Arabia's group stage fixtures.

Saudi Arabia's NEOM megaproject has opened its first residential district for early residents and workers in 2026, with THE LINE's mirrored facade structure advancing in the Tabuk desert and the broader NEOM development receiving USD 500 billion in committed investment as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accelerates Vision 2030 delivery.

Salalah Free Zone has broken export records in 2026, with its strategic location between Asia, Africa and Europe positioning Oman's southern port city as a critical logistics hub, attracting investment from global manufacturers and logistics companies seeking a GCC base with direct Indian Ocean access.