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Gulf states changing labor, visa and residency policies to attract foreign wealth, talent

This picture taken on May 9, 2021 shows a view of the Dubai city skyline as seen from the Burj Khalifa, currently the world's tallest building at 828 metres. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
To:

Al-Monitor Pro Members

From:

Dr. Robert Mogielnicki 

Senior Resident Scholar, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, DC 

Date:

Aug. 10, 2022

Bottom Line: 

Governments in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are vying to attract global wealth and talent as part of post-coronavirus, oil-fueled economic development trajectories. High-net-worth individuals, investors and specialized professionals can expect more schemes and incentives enabling long-term residency and employment in the Gulf region. Private-sector firms will simultaneously be expected to hire and train more local citizens over the coming years, with wealthier GCC governments likely offering financial incentives and policy flexibility to support broad workforce nationalization aims.