A Playbook for GCC Policymakers: Strengthening Investor Confidence and Building Future Resilience

Recent regional instability has sharpened investor scrutiny of the Gulf. While GCC economies continue to benefit from structural strengths, world-class infrastructure, fiscal resilience, and ambitious transformation agendas, policymakers should continue to engage strategically with the private sector to reinforce investor confidence.

Based on our experience advising several Gulf government entities and more than 80 international companies on their operations and investment plans throughout the Gulf region, we believe that strengthening investor confidence and economic resilience will require credible, well-coordinated measures across government that resonate in global boardrooms. One of the unsung success factors of the Gulf region has been its willingness to approach relationships with the private sector through a long-term partnership lens. The flip side is that when external events threaten to erode that partnership, corporates are more likely to expect the government to take credible steps to restore confidence.

Governments should seize the opportunity to strengthen domestic policy resilience, deepen international partnerships, and communicate with substance and credibility. This note sets out practical steps and recommendations in each of these three areas.

This report is an abridged version of the detailed playbooks we have developed for different Gulf states, which we are happy to share on request.