The Middle East takes centre stage in global capital flows

Over the past decade, the geography of wealth has shifted. While the United States remains the deepest and most liquid market, the gravitational pull of growth is moving toward Asia and, more decisively, the Middle East. 

From Riyadh to Abu Dhabi, reform and diversification have accelerated the evolution of regional capital markets. Programmes such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s national economic transformation agenda are creating deeper, more accessible ecosystems for private investment. Sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and institutional allocators are expanding their allocations to private credit, infrastructure, and alternatives – positioning the Gulf as both a source and destination of global capital.

Capital with conviction

Today’s Middle Eastern allocators operate with long horizons and strategic intent, viewing regulatory friction, forex volatility, and structural opacity not as obstacles but as opportunities. The result is a distinctive approach to risk that is grounded in governance and transparency, yet open to markets where higher returns reward insight and discipline.

Meanwhile and further east, Asia’s private markets remain an important counterpoint. Economies such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam continue to generate structural yield advantages and mid-market credit opportunities. Increasingly, Gulf investors are connecting to these opportunities directly – shaping structures, governance, and underwriting standards. Together, these regions are forming a capital corridor that links liquidity with growth.

Building the architecture for cross-regional investment

As allocations diversify, the infrastructure supporting them is evolving. Single-jurisdiction domiciles are giving way to multi-hub models that balance regulatory familiarity with operational reach. Dubai and Abu Dhabi now stand alongside Singapore and Dublin as strategic centres for fund structuring, supported by strong legal frameworks and deep professional ecosystems.

This shift represents more than efficiency. It marks the Middle East’s emergence as a full participant in the institutional investment architecture, setting expectations for custody, reporting, and compliance on par with established Western centres, while maintaining regional nuance.

Convening the conversation in Abu Dhabi

These dynamics will take centre stage at Apex Invest Middle East, held in Abu Dhabi, November 23-25, 2025.

The conference will bring together allocators, fund managers, and policymakers from across the Gulf, Asia, and Europe to explore how capital flows are reshaping private markets. Sessions will address:

• The evolution of sovereign and family-office allocations in private credit and infrastructure
• Fund structuring and cross-border regulation for multi-jurisdictional investors
• The role of technology, from data analytics to digital custody, in operational resilience and transparency

More than a marketing platform, Apex Invest Middle East is designed as a working forum where institutions exchange experience, benchmark practices, and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

Recognising ideas that shape the market

As part of the event, and in partnership with Global Custodian, we will also present the Financial Markets Book of the Year Prize. The award honours research and writing that advances understanding of finance and investment, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based thought leadership in an era of rapid change.

Join the conversation

For allocators seeking differentiated returns; for managers engaging with long-term capital; and for regulators refining cross-border frameworks, the Middle East now stands at the centre of the global investment conversation. Apex Invest Middle East offers a platform to connect, collaborate, and chart what comes next. 

November 23–25, 2025 
Hilton Yas Island, Abu Dhabi 

Apply to attend