Dubai Chamber Discusses Future of Family Business Investment and Philanthropy

On February 3, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a roundtable discussion in conjunction with the World Government Summit 2026 to discuss the future of investment and philanthropy surrounding family businesses around the world.

The conference was chaired by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was attended by more than 40 government officials and executives of family businesses from Dubai and abroad. In his opening remarks, the Chairman pointed out that "family businesses are evolving beyond asset management to become entities that shape sustainable development and cross-border investment." He emphasized that, amidst advancing technological innovation, agile decision-making, new governance structures, and the involvement of the next generation are essential.

The discussion centered on two themes: "Charity and its social role" and "Governance and diversified investments that support sustainable growth." It was noted that "impact-oriented philanthropy," which emphasizes social and environmental outcomes in addition to financial returns, has been gaining popularity in recent years. The importance of impact measurement, understanding tax and legal issues, and public-private partnerships was also confirmed.

Venture capital investment by family businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached approximately $3 billion (approximately 465 billion yen) in the first half of 2025. This makes it the third largest in the world after the United States and the UK, and Middle Eastern capital is strengthening its presence in global startup investment.

© WAM