On October 19, 2024, StrategEast under the USAID’s Future Growth Initiative organized a webinar titled “How to Attract Investments from the Gulf for Central Asian Startups.” The session was led by Meshari Alrajah, an expert in entrepreneurship and angel investing from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. The webinar focused on strategic approaches to attracting investments from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, covering topics such as project management, marketing, and business planning.
Aisuluu Kozhomkulova Regional Director for Central Asia at StrategEast opened the session by welcoming participants and introducing the speaker. A brief overview of USAID FGI support as well as objectives to foster digital economies in Central Asia were provided, alongside details on the importance of Gulf investments for the region. Meshari shared insights into how startups in Central Asia can align their business strategies with investor priorities in the GCC region.
Entrepreneurs were encouraged to foster mutual collaborations, shared resources, and strategic alignments with GCC entities, focusing on long-term goals.
The Gulf market, particularly through Saudi Vision 2030, offers significant opportunities in sectors such as ICT, digital transformation, and infrastructure. Alrajah emphasized that startups should align with these national objectives to maximize investment potential. Meshari provided examples of successful partnerships in the GCC region, such as the Sabic-ExxonMobil collaboration and other alliances in technology and telecommunication.The importance of networking, building trust, and participating in Gulf-based investment events such as Biban and GITEX was highlighted. Meshari recommended using forums, industry-specific conferences, and LinkedIn to connect with potential investors.
Meshari Alrajah emphasized the importance of regular communication and building lasting relationships with GCC investors. He also encouraged participants to attend Gulf-based events and explore further investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
The attendees expressed their appreciation for the detailed insights into GCC markets and the practical advice offered by Meshari. The session was interactive, with many participants asking follow-up questions on investment strategies and potential collaborations.
