Global investors express strong confidence in Gulf economy: Survey

BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JULY 6
Global investor confidence in the Gulf remains robust despite ongoing regional tensions, with more than eight in ten investors expressing confidence in the region's economic outlook and a majority expecting the GCC to play a significant role in fostering regional peace, according to a new multinational survey by Consulum and HarrisX.
The survey, which polled 2,043 investors across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and China, found that international investors continue to view the Gulf as a resilient and attractive investment destination.
According to the findings, 82 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in the Gulf's future economic prospects. Confidence was strongest among investors in China (91 per cent), followed by the United States and the United Kingdom (84 per cent each), Germany (80 per cent) and France (71 per cent).
Nearly seven in ten investors (69 per cent) also rated the Gulf as either a good or excellent place to invest or conduct business.
'The international investment community sees the Gulf's economic story as one of sustained momentum', said James Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Consulum. 'Investors are not reacting to a geopolitical moment — they are making a long-term judgement on the strength and resilience of what the GCC has built'.
The survey also indicates growing recognition of the Gulf's expanding role in the global economy. Seventy per cent of respondents believe the GCC's economic importance will continue to increase over the next five years. The highest expectations were recorded in the United Kingdom (78 per cent), followed by the United States (74 per cent), China (70 per cent), Germany (65 per cent) and France (61 per cent).
On regional security, 71 per cent of investors expect the US–Iran tensions to conclude through a negotiated settlement rather than prolonged conflict. Among them, 32 per cent believe Gulf countries should participate directly in negotiations, while 39 per cent favour the GCC acting as facilitators behind the scenes.
Expectations of a negotiated settlement were highest among investors in the United Kingdom (77 per cent), followed by the United States (71 per cent), France (70 per cent), Germany (69 per cent) and China (67 per cent).