Why tolerance is the Gulf countries' strongest asset

There is a paradox that sits in the Gulf today. An economy once tied to a single commodity has found prosperity in diversity – not only of sectors, but of people and ideas. As a philosophy, the Gulf’s approach to diversity and tolerance is inspiring, but as an economic model, it is much more – a gift to the world at a time of turbulence.

Long before the rise of modern skylines, our coasts connected traders, scholars and travellers from across continents. That same openness still underpins our success today. It is the quiet force behind the Gulf’s evolution from oil economies into global investment and innovation hubs.

My home country of Oman is a clear example. For centuries it has stood at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent – a meeting point whose identity has been shaped by dialogue and trade. That spirit runs through Oman’s Vision 2040, which places openness, education and partnership at the centre of economic diversification. Across the region, similar strategies are at work – in the UAE’s globally connected workforce, in Saudi Arabia’s reform-driven investment climate, and in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar’s new industries.

In these countries, coexistence is systemic. That’s good for residents but it’s also a competitive advantage valued by global businesses and investors grappling with an increasingly polarised world. For example, the UAE has ranked first worldwide for greenfield foreign direct investment projects for four consecutive years. Saudi Arabia’s greenfield FDI inflows have multiplied since 2016. In short, capital goes where talent feels safe and welcome, and where politics are predictable and stable.

2019 was celebrated as the Year of Tolerance in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

Yet beyond statistics, the Gulf’s progress is human at its core. The region’s ability to welcome global talent while nurturing local expertise has created a culture of collaboration rarely seen elsewhere. Young entrepreneurs, researchers and professionals from across the world are helping define what the next chapter of growth looks like.

But it’s not just capital that gravitates in the Gulf.