United Arab Emirates Speeds Up Global Tech Dominance through Foreign Direct Investment, Schneider Electric Joins as Key Collaborator
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is forging ahead with its NextGen FDI initiative, a programme designed to attract and nurture tech-focused startups and global companies in advanced technology sectors. The initiative's latest developments show an active engagement with companies and startups in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, robotics, blockchain, biotech, and sustainability.
One of the key recent additions to the initiative is Quest Global, a Singapore-based engineering R&D services company. Quest Global announced its entry into the UAE in July 2025, with plans to establish multiple high-value engineering centres across the country. These centres aim to support sectors including advanced manufacturing, energy, and defence, leveraging Quest Global's expertise in AI and digital technologies to enhance operations, stimulate innovation, optimise supply chains, improve productivity, and develop national talent.
Launched in July 2022 by the Ministry of Economy, the NextGen FDI programme has already attracted over 90 leading international companies. Notable participants include Coinbase, Qualcomm, Ripple, and XPENG. Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has also joined the initiative, connecting its existing global portfolio of startups with the UAE ecosystem.
The partnership between Schneider Electric and the Ministry of Economy is another step towards achieving the UAE's broader economic diversification goals. The initiative aims to attract 300 global tech companies and inject nearly $500 million into the national economy.
The UAE's commitment to the NextGen FDI initiative extends beyond attracting companies. The country is also emphasising public-private collaboration to advance key sectors such as space technology and sustainable industries. For instance, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has highlighted the importance of government-private sector synergy in building a dynamic space ecosystem, underscoring the country’s commitment to innovation, long-term investment in technology, and fostering UAE-based entrepreneurs and tech firms.
The NextGen FDI programme is not limited to specific startups in sectors like blockchain, biotech, and semiconductors. Instead, it focuses on rapid incorporation and fast-track market entry, facilitating partnerships and expansion across these advanced industries.
In summary, the NextGen FDI initiative is actively fostering collaborations with engineering and technology leaders like Quest Global, supporting startups and companies in AI, advanced manufacturing, defence, and likely related sectors such as robotics and biotech. The UAE's advanced infrastructure, business-friendly environment, and commitment to innovation make it an attractive destination for companies looking to grow and innovate. The initiative aims to attract, mentor, and scale high-potential startups, particularly in climate-tech and sustainability, further positioning the UAE as a leading destination for future-focused investments and technological advancement.
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- The UAE's NextGen FDI initiative is actively attracting and nurturing tech-focused startups and global companies, particularly those in advanced technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, robotics, blockchain, biotech, and sustainability.
- Quest Global, an engineering R&D services company based in Singapore, announced its entry into the UAE in July 2025, aiming to establish multiple high-value engineering centres across the country.
- These engineering centres will support sectors like advanced manufacturing, energy, and defence, utilizing Quest Global's expertise in AI and digital technologies to stimulate innovation, optimize supply chains, and develop national talent.
- Launched in July 2022 by the Ministry of Economy, the NextGen FDI programme has already attracted over 90 leading international companies, including Coinbase, Qualcomm, Ripple, XPENG, and Schneider Electric.
- Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has joined the initiative, connecting its existing global portfolio of startups with the UAE ecosystem.
- The UAE's NextGen FDI initiative is not just about attracting companies; it's also about fostering collaboration and advancing key sectors such as space technology and sustainable industries through public-private collaboration.
- The UAE government, with figures like Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, is emphasizing the importance of government-private sector synergy in building a dynamic space ecosystem and fostering UAE-based entrepreneurs and tech firms.
- The NextGen FDI programme aims to attract 300 global tech companies and inject nearly $500 million into the national economy, positioning the UAE as a leading destination for future-focused investments and technological advancement, especially in climate-tech and sustainability.
