{"id":414900,"date":"2026-08-04T12:07:56","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/?p=414900"},"modified":"2026-08-04T12:23:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:23:26","slug":"how-companies-can-attract-arab-investment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/en\/how-companies-can-attract-arab-investment\/","title":{"rendered":"How companies can attract Arab investment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Samir Nemer*<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The greatest transformation in global investment flows over the past decades may not be taking place in New York, London or Tokyo, but rather in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Doha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not a cyclical movement. It is a structural transformation of the global economy, driven not only by the accumulation of wealth generated from oil and natural gas production, but above all by these countries’ strategic decision to convert that wealth into global economic influence. The realization that oil will no longer occupy, in the coming decades, the central position it held throughout the 20th century has prompted governments across the region to accelerate economic diversification programs and the internationalization of their investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030, We the UAE 2031 and similar programs implemented by Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain reflect this new reality. Through these public policies, a significant share of the resources generated by the energy sector has been redirected toward productive investments across different continents, covering infrastructure, logistics, technology, healthcare, food security, mining, renewable energy and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this context, sovereign wealth funds have taken center stage. Institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Mubadala Investment Company, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and ADQ jointly manage trillions of dollars in assets, ranking among the world’s largest institutional investors. Beyond seeking financial returns, these funds aim to build long-term partnerships, diversify their countries’ economies and secure a presence in sectors considered strategic for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is precisely within this context that Brazil occupies a unique position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Few countries simultaneously combine the attributes found in the Brazilian economy: abundant natural resources, global leadership in food production, an electricity matrix powered predominantly by renewable sources, significant reserves of critical minerals, growing potential for low-carbon hydrogen production, a privileged geographic location and one of the world’s largest consumer markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This combination explains why Arab capital’s interest in Brazil has evolved from being occasional to becoming strategic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The figures confirm this growing relationship. Trade between Brazil and the Arab countries remains at a high level, driven mainly by food products, proteins, sugar, coffee, iron ore, chemicals and manufactured goods. At the same time, there has been a growing presence of Arab investors in Brazilian infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, biofuels, sanitation, technology, agribusiness and digital economy assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than an increase in trade flows, there has been a qualitative shift in the nature of this relationship. Arab investors have moved beyond focusing exclusively on commodity purchases and are now seeking stakes in assets capable of generating long-term value. Infrastructure projects, public concessions, the energy transition, port logistics, data centers, artificial intelligence, technological innovation and food security have become central to their international expansion strategies. This movement is consistent with the ongoing economic transformation in the Gulf countries, which are seeking to reduce their dependence on oil revenues while building more diversified, innovative and resilient economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is no coincidence that sovereign wealth funds and major business groups in the region are now competing for opportunities that, just a few years ago, were not even on their radar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is, however, a misconception that remains widespread within the Brazilian business community: the belief that having a good project or a profitable company is enough to attract foreign capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, competition among countries and companies for the attention of major international investors has never been greater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chile, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Morocco and many other emerging economies compete every day for the same resources allocated to the global expansion of these funds. All of them offer attractive projects, relative stability and growth prospects. This means Brazil no longer competes only domestically. It competes with the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this environment, traditional factors\u2014such as the availability of natural resources, the size of the consumer market and growth potential\u2014remain highly relevant, but they are no longer sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What distinguishes a company in the eyes of an international investor rarely lies solely in its physical assets or financial performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Above all, it lies in the confidence the company is able to inspire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an international environment marked by geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological change and increasingly stringent regulation, predictability has become one of the most valuable assets any organization can possess. Investors look for companies capable of demonstrating consistency in decision-making, transparency in business conduct, legal certainty and the ability to adapt. In other words, they seek partners that inspire confidence even before any contract is signed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is precisely in this regard that many Brazilian companies still face challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although they often have strong technical capabilities, highly qualified teams and extremely competitive products, they frequently arrive at the negotiating table unprepared because they focus their efforts solely on demonstrating financial results, while overlooking factors that, from the perspective of international investors, may be even more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the greatest mistake made by business leaders is to assume that foreign investors assess only financial indicators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, revenue, cash generation, profitability and growth prospects are essential components of any investment decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, they represent only the starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, institutional investors conduct a much broader assessment. They seek to understand how the company operates internally. Who actually makes the decisions? How are shareholder disputes resolved? Is there a succession plan? Are strategic contracts properly organized? Have tax risks been identified and adequately managed? Are there legal proceedings that could jeopardize the business? Do the financial statements faithfully reflect the company’s economic reality? Are there at least basic integrity and compliance policies in place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These questions typically receive far greater attention during a due diligence process than many business owners realize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, Arab investors are not simply looking for good business opportunities\u2014they are looking for trustworthy partners. Projects attract interest; well-prepared companies inspire confidence. In an increasingly competitive global market, it is this confidence\u2014built through governance, transparency and a long-term vision\u2014that transforms opportunities into concrete investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Samir Nemer is an attorney specializing in infrastructure, energy and regulated-sector projects. He is a doctoral candidate and holds a master’s degree in Tax Law from Funda\u00e7\u00e3o Getulio Vargas (FGV) Law School in S\u00e3o Paulo. He is a partner at FurtadoNemer Advogados and previously served as Secretary of State in the Government of Esp\u00edrito Santo and as legal director of the Federation of Industries of Esp\u00edrito Santo.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The views expressed in this article are those of the author.<\/sub><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translated by AI<\/strong><\/p>\n

Supplied<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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