UAE and Scotland strike major investment deal: What’s in it for both economies as Gulf meets Europe?

In a significant development for global investment flows, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Scotland have signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen bilateral investment cooperation, broaden economic ties and unlock new opportunities for businesses in both nations.

The agreement, inked on January 30, 2026, reflects the UAE’s strategic vision of strengthening international economic partnerships that support diversification, sustainable growth and resilient development while offering Scottish companies expanded access to one of the Gulf’s most dynamic markets.

UAE and Scotland's milestone agreement for bilateral investment

The MoU was formally signed in Dubai by Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment and Kate Forbes MSP, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, on behalf of the Scottish Government.

This partnership establishes a structured framework to facilitate increased investment flows and strengthen coordination between government entities, investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, business groups and private sector stakeholders in both the UAE and Scotland.By fostering closer collaboration, the agreement aims to encourage the exchange of capital, technology and expertise, key drivers of economic diversification and innovation in today’s competitive global landscape.

Officials from both sides emphasised that the pact goes beyond symbolic diplomacy to generate tangible outcomes: job creation, expanded market access and stronger economic linkages that benefit enterprises in each economy.

UAE and Scotland build on successful engagements and shared momentum

This MoU builds on a series of high-profile engagements between the two economies, including the Investopia Global Edinburgh event held in December 2025, which created a platform for UAE and Scottish businesses to connect, explore partnerships and identify sector-specific opportunities.

As part of the cooperation framework, Scottish companies are now being encouraged to participate in the Investopia flagship event in Abu Dhabi in March 2026, while plans are underway for an expanded Investopia Global session in Scotland later in the year.These developments reinforce a broader trend of cross-border investment collaboration, signalling deeper economic integration between the Middle East and European markets, particularly in areas where both economies possess competitive strengths.