Photo Credit : WAM
The ninth edition of the Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2026) will take place on October 14 and 15 at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, bringing together policymakers, investors and business leaders to examine how economies can adapt to rapid technological, geopolitical and market changes.
Held under the theme “Building Adaptive Economies,” the forum will focus on four strategic pillars: regulatory competitiveness and economic adaptability; AI, technology and industrial transformation; smart capital flows and supply-chain resilience; and future living and economic growth.
Organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, SIF 2026 is expected to attract government officials, global and regional CEOs, financial leaders, entrepreneurs and investors.
The agenda has been developed against the backdrop of shifting investment policies, changing global capital flows, rapid advances in technology and growing pressures on international supply chains. Discussions will also examine how these developments are influencing cities, industries, consumer behaviour and future economic growth.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said the speed of change across global markets is forcing governments and businesses to rethink how they compete, invest and expand.
He said the forum would bring together policy, technology and investment discussions that are increasingly shaping where capital is deployed, how industries evolve and how economies strengthen their competitiveness.
Al Musharrkh added that building adaptive economies requires governments and businesses to identify emerging opportunities early and create conditions that allow investment and innovation to respond effectively to changing circumstances.
Regulatory competitiveness and economic adaptability
The forum’s first pillar will explore how regulation, business environments and corporate leadership can respond to changing markets, investment patterns and emerging technologies.
A session titled “Thriving in the Age of Constant Disruption” will examine how entrepreneurial thinking, experimentation and organisational agility can help companies navigate economic and technological shifts.
“The CEO Playbook: Leading Through Constant Change” will focus on leadership during periods of volatility, including how executives assess structural changes and make capital allocation decisions.
Government policy will also feature prominently through “Where Policy Meets Pace: Frameworks Ahead of the Curve,” which will examine how coordinated regulatory approaches can support emerging industries, respond to evolving trade and capital flows and provide greater certainty for investors.
According to the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2026, governments introduced 229 new investment policy measures worldwide in 2025, reflecting increased attention to economic resilience, technological development, growth and economic security.
Another session, “Beyond Ease of Doing Business: Building Economies Where Businesses Grow,” will focus on investor retention and expansion, including the role of government services, data, digital transformation and coordination across Sharjah’s business ecosystem.
AI and industrial transformation
The second pillar will explore the growing role of artificial intelligence, automation and emerging technologies in transforming industries, investment strategies and business operations.
“Powering Adaptive Economies with Agentic AI” will examine how agentic AI could reshape government and investor services while addressing the requirements for responsible deployment at scale.
Meanwhile, “The Next Industrial Frontier: Innovation, Technology and Growth” will look at technologies driving the next phase of industrial development, their practical applications and the workforce skills required to support the transition.
UNCTAD figures show that AI infrastructure, advanced technologies, semiconductors and other strategic sectors accounted for 44% of the value of global greenfield FDI projects in 2025, compared with 16% in 2020.
The session “The Future Is Now: Investing in What Comes Next” will explore new approaches to work, entrepreneurship and value creation emerging from rapid technological development.
Healthcare innovation will also feature through “From Vision to Vitality: Sharjah’s Fast Track to Healthcare Breakthroughs,” examining how scientific research and practical innovation can translate into economic and societal impact.
Capital flows and resilient supply chains
The third pillar, “Smart Capital Flows and Supply-Chain Resilience,” will examine how changing investor priorities and disruptions to global trade are influencing investment decisions and economic resilience.
“Capital Without Borders: Where Smart Money Is Moving Next” will focus on high-growth financing, cross-border expansion, emerging asset classes and changing investor appetite.
Another discussion, “Supply Chains Under Pressure: Strengthening Resilience Against Global Shocks,” will consider how geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions are driving investment into infrastructure, connectivity and diversified supply networks.
UNCTAD data cited by the forum show that global foreign direct investment increased 6% in 2025 to $1.6 trillion, with more than 80% concentrated among the world’s 20 largest recipient economies.
The figures will provide context for discussions on the factors influencing capital allocation and how economies can improve their ability to attract international investment.
Future living and economic growth
The fourth pillar will examine how urban development, sustainability challenges and evolving consumer preferences are shaping future investment opportunities.
“Partners in Growth: Agreements Shaping Tomorrow’s Trade” will bring together ambassadors representing countries that have signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with the UAE to discuss how the agreements are opening markets and supporting trade and investment.
The session “From Buildings to Destinations: Driving Economic Growth” will explore how infrastructure, sustainable communities, tourism and commercial development can help Sharjah attract businesses, residents, visitors and investors.
Food security will also be addressed through “Growing a Sustainable Future: Where Agriculture Meets Sustainability,” with discussions covering climate change, water scarcity, clean energy, agricultural technology and resource efficiency.
Meanwhile, “The Consumer of 2035” will examine how artificial intelligence, demographic shifts and increasingly digital lifestyles could transform consumer expectations and purchasing behaviour over the coming decade.
The previous edition of the Sharjah Investment Forum, held alongside the World Investment Conference in 2025, attracted more than 12,000 participants from 142 countries and featured over 130 ministers and international leaders.
