Bloomberg Businessweek cover image

Bloomberg Businessweek

Why the Middle East Is Becoming Attractive to International Investors

Nov 19, 2024
Noor Sweid, founder of Global Ventures and the only Arab woman managing a VC fund in the Middle East, shares her insights on the region's booming investment landscape. She discusses the exciting shift towards venture capital, fueled by a young demographic and economic diversification. Ellen Huet, a tech writer for Bloomberg News, dives into AI's regulatory landscape, examining the implications of political changes and Silicon Valley's evolving stance on regulations. Together, they explore the Middle East's growing sectors like fintech and agritech, showcasing its potential for innovation.
27:23

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • International investors are increasingly focusing on the Middle East for venture capital, with over 51% of recent funding coming from abroad.
  • The region's governments are actively supporting entrepreneurship through initiatives and incubators, aiming to harness the potential of their youthful population.

Deep dives

BlackRock's Expansion in the Middle East

BlackRock has recently received a commercial license to operate in Abu Dhabi, highlighting its strategy to deepen ties within the Middle East. This move is significant as Abu Dhabi and Riyadh compete for the title of the region's main business hub, now holding over a trillion dollars in sovereign wealth each. For BlackRock's CEO, Larry Fink, establishing operations in these countries is a logical step to tap into vast financial resources. The influx of capital indicates a growing trend of foreign investment aimed at shaping the economic landscape of the region.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode