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Michael Bloomberg said it was impossible to predict how the war in the Middle East would unfold yet described the Gulf states as certain to remain vital partners in global finance. Bloomberg, which maintains significant hubs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, pledged that his company would stay fully committed to the region and to assisting clients through the uncertainty, according to a report published by The National. The comments formed part of a series of statements from global companies underscoring their long-term view of the GCC even as geopolitical tensions persist.
HSBC group chief executive Georges Elhedery expressed unwavering confidence in the fundamentals of the GCC and its long-term resilience as regional tensions continued. “HSBC remains steadfast in our confidence in the GCC and in the long-term strength, resilience and promise of the region,” Elhedery said. He added that the bank’s conviction in the GCC’s future was unchanged because the region had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to endure periods of disruption, adapt and emerge stronger, The National reported. With 130 years of presence in the area, HSBC will remain invested in opportunities ahead for the region’s people, businesses and economies.
Deloitte confirmed it remained fully operational across the Middle East and thanked local authorities for decisive leadership and protective measures that allowed continued service to clients and staff. The consulting firm, which has operated in the region for 100 years, stated it was deeply invested in supporting growth and advancement there, according to its statement carried by The National on March 12. Such affirmations arrived as the UAE continued to draw global lenders and asset managers seeking to expand their footprint.
The Dubai International Financial Centre added a record 1,924 companies during 2025, a 28 percent increase from the prior year, The National reported citing official figures. Abu Dhabi’s financial centre meanwhile recorded a 48 percent year-on-year rise in assets under management in the third quarter of 2025. These gains illustrate sustained appeal of the UAE’s financial hubs even amid broader regional uncertainty.
An EY survey of 300 global business leaders conducted in March 2025 identified geopolitical tension and conflicts as the leading risk to the GCC’s attractiveness for foreign direct investment over the subsequent three years. EY foreign direct investment surveys nevertheless showed the number of FDI projects in the GCC climbing to 1,973 in 2024 from 1,929 the year before. The figures point to continued though uneven investor interest across Gulf states.
World Bank data projects economic growth across the GCC rising to 3.2 percent in 2025 before accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026, supported by non-oil sector expansion and diversification reforms. Foreign inflows into GCC markets reached 4.2 billion dollars in the second quarter of 2025, a 50 percent increase from the previous quarter, according to data cited by Kamco Invest. Such indicators align with the resilience narrative advanced by the international companies in their March statements.
