Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment
TechRound reported on government-backed measures available to entrepreneurs establishing businesses in the UAE. Key mechanisms include 100 percent foreign business ownership in multiple sectors, extended Golden Visas, and dedicated free zone environments. The framework also provides digital administrative licensing, mentorship programs, and financing initiatives for startups.
Startups in the United Arab Emirates are encountering difficulties securing lead investors for growth-stage financing rounds, according to EnterpriseAM. The bottleneck impacts emerging businesses seeking larger capital injections to scale operations. Regional ventures face a shortage of institutional backers willing to anchor and price late- and growth-stage rounds.
Financial institutions and payment networks are increasingly testing stablecoins to streamline cross-border payments and corporate treasury operations across the Middle East and Asia. Speakers at the FAB Middle East-Asia Summit in Singapore highlighted that early digital-asset regulations in the UAE and Singapore provide strong testing grounds for connecting regional financial systems. Industry leaders noted that digital currencies are evolving alongside conventional banks rather than replacing traditional financial infrastructure.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), outlined the emirate's strategy focusing on foreign direct investment, artificial intelligence, and economic diversification. Sharjah attracted 142 FDI projects worth AED 7.74 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2025, with around 75 percent already operational. The agency is targeting quality investments across technology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and logistics, while expanding outreach across Asian and global markets.
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