The Arab world attracted approximately $71 billion in foreign direct investments in 2023, with the United Arab Emirates leading the way by securing $30.7 billion, which accounted for 42.8% of the total investments. Saudi Arabia followed with $12.32 billion, representing 17.18% of the total. Despite global trends showing a decline in foreign direct investments due to economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions, most Arab countries experienced strong growth in this area.
Egypt ranked third in the region with $9.84 billion (13.72%), followed by Bahrain with $6.84 billion (9.54%), Oman with $4.74 billion (6.61%), and Kuwait with $2.11 billion (2.94%). Further down the list were Algeria with $1.22 billion (1.7%), Morocco with $1.09 billion (1.52%), Jordan with $843 million (1.18%), and Tunisia with $768 million (1.07%). Lebanon, Sudan, and Palestine also attracted foreign direct investments in varying amounts.
The data points to a positive trend in foreign direct investments within the Arab world, showcasing the attractiveness of these countries for global investors. While global investments dipped by 2% in 2023 to $1.3 trillion, the Arab region remained an appealing destination for foreign capital. This highlights the resilience and potential for economic growth in the Arab countries amid challenging global circumstances.