UAE remains the safest haven for investment due to safety, security and resilience, officials say at an ICAI Conference in Dubai
India has 5,400 listed companies and more than 2 million unlisted businesses including 35,000 companies that each generate more than Rs1 billion. Investing in them could help multiply returns. In India only 3.5 per cent of the population invests in equities, while in the United States, this is more than 55 per cent
With US$48.24 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow, the UAE ranked the top destination in the Middle East and 9th in the world for investment in 2025, that speaks volume about the country’s ability in attracting FDI due to its safe, secure environment and resilience amid multiple regional and global crises, officials said at a conference titled: Health & Wealth — Building a Better Tomorrow, organised by the Dubai Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
“We spend our entire working lives creating wealth so that one day we can enjoy a secure and comfortable future with our families. Yet, in that pursuit, we often overlook the one asset that makes every achievement meaningful—our health. True prosperity is achieved when health and wealth grow together, because without good health, even the greatest wealth cannot be fully enjoyed,” CA Rishi Chawla, Chairman of the Dubai Chapter of the ICAI, said in his opening remarks at the conference.
“We need to invest our savings intelligently and ensure that our money secures our future. During our life-struggle and long journey, we often take our health for granted and ignore it, which creates complications when we need it most. So, while we remain focussed on career and business, we also need to take care
of our health and wealth and how we could multiply them.”
The conference, attended by more than 400 members of ICAI, featured keynote address and presentation by Osama Al Rahma, Chairman of the Foreign Exchange and Remittance Group (FERG), Amit Bhartia, Founder and Portfolio Manager of DeLoren Partners, CA Piyush Jhunjhunwala, Founder and CEO of Stockify, former Indian supermodel and Bollywood star Anu Aggarwal, who spoke about investment, wealth creation and a healthy work-life balance.
Osama Al Rahma, Chairman of the Foreign Exchange and Remittance Group (FERG), said, “The UAE is a very resilient nation and we remained resilient in the face of multiple crises over the last two decades and has bounced back strongly from every crises – be it the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009, European Debt Crisis of 2011, Arab Spring in 2012, COVID19 and the recent uncertainties over the regional conflict.
“Despite these, the country has shown strong resilience, as HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announcing a 2.4 per cent growth in Dubai’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeding Dh232 billion in the first quarter of 2026. We have achieved this amid the regional uncertainty that we have witnessed since February 28 this year.”
Referring to the World Investment Report 2025 issued recently by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Investment UNCTAD), he said, “The UAE has been ranked 9th in the world and the first in the Middle East and North Africa in attracting FDI to the tune of US$48.24 billion (Dh177 billion). This is a reflection of investor confidence in the UAE that has been growing despite challenges.
“The UAE maintains strong economic partnerships with its top trading partners and the largest economies in the world and over the last few years we have strengthened our regulatory environment that ensures transparency and accountability – that are crucial to increase investor confidence.
“The UAE has Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) with more than US$2.49 trillion – one of the largest resources – that helps us to invest and create opportunities for all stakeholders. The Government is now investing heavily in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and training 80,000 government officials that will help the country to accelerate economic growth in the coming years.
“The UAE central bank has already launched its CBDC, the Digital Dirham, the infrastructure Open Finance, including the regulatory framework for stable coins. We have other virtual asset regulatory bodies like Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) which with all will allow for the new virtual assets to grow,” Osama Al Rahma, who is also the Head of Business Development and Wealth Management at Emirates Investment Bank, said.
With more than 3,200 members, ICAI Dubai Chapter is the largest business group in the UAE. Established in 1982, it is also the largest, most active and award-winning chapter among the 44 overseas chapters of ICAI. It has registered a phenomenal growth in membership has exceeded 3,200 members who represent more than 1,550 multinationals and other companies.
Speakers urged the conference delegates to invest their financial resources carefully and intelligently so that they can benefit from higher returns from their investment.
CA Piyush Jhunjhunwala, Founder and CEO of Stockify, says, “Investment is a risky business. However, the biggest risk in life lies in not taking risk. So, we should all put our money in investment schemes that multiply our wealth. You work for money – all your life. Now money should work for you. If you don’t make money in your sleep, then you are not doing it right.”
He spoke about Alternative Investment schemes that investors could consider. “When it comes to investment, most people consider stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities and other asset classes. Not much attention is given to Alternative Investments – such as unregulated businesses.
