HSBC Future Forum 2026 connects the now to what’s next

This week in Dubai, we’ve brought together investors, corporates, regulators and thought leaders to explore the opportunities ahead in a changing world, including the growing influence of the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT) region.

The HSBC Future Forum, held from 20-21 October 2026, enables delegates to engage in dialogue and strategic insight, and make important connections in one of the world’s most dynamic financial regions.

Additionally, on 22 October, HSBC will host the UAE Wealth Investment Summit, attended by a select group of clients and senior leaders from across business and the investment community.

The programme has been curated to provide clear, practical perspectives on the key themes shaping the next phase of economic growth around the world – and the opportunities and risks for long-term investors.

As capital flows, regulation, technology and regional growth continue to reshape global markets, the Future Forum is exploring MENAT’s long-standing influence as a global investment hub, a bridge between markets, and an increasingly important voice in the international financial community.

The MENAT infrastructure opportunity

This week’s event builds on the strong engagement and positive feedback from June's HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference in London.

Selim Kervanci, HSBC’s CEO in MENAT, said: “The Future Forum will harness that momentum, and broaden dialogue, connecting companies with international investors and market participants from around the globe.

“Over two days, the programme will combine high-level discussion with curated opportunities to engage directly with policymakers, market institutions, corporates and investors.”

We’re also using the event to launch our new report, New Networks of Capital: MENAT Infrastructure, which explores how investment across the region is changing.

It comes as the region enters a major infrastructure investment cycle, with markets looking to address a range of priorities, including energy security, data sovereignty and rising urbanisation and reindustrialisation.

“Infrastructure is a long-term asset class, and the opportunity in MENAT is broadening,” said Michael Roberts, CEO, HSBC Bank plc, and CEO, Corporate and Institutional Banking, HSBC.

“As more investors, sponsors and projects come together, the role of a banking partner goes beyond providing finance. It is about connecting capital across markets, helping clients structure and execute transactions, and supporting investment as the market grows.”

MENAT ‘critical’ to growth strategy

MENAT’s growing importance is visible in business and investment plans, according to our report, which surveyed 2,400 key decision-makers and institutional investors.

Eight in 10 business leaders said MENAT is critical or very important to their growth and infrastructure strategy. Approved or expected infrastructure capital expenditure for 2026–2028 is 44% higher than the estimated amount committed over the previous three years, while 90% expect their investment and exposure to the region to increase further.

At the same time, geopolitical instability remains the leading risk for both business leaders and institutional investors, with uncertainty increasingly being factored into longer-term decisions, the report suggests.

HSBC-commissioned analysis of MEED data identifies US$872 billion in individual project packages within a wider US$1.4 trillion planned and unawarded infrastructure pipeline.

This demonstrates the scale of the region’s medium and long-term investment potential across seven MENAT markets – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt and Türkiye.

Read more from New Networks of Capital: MENAT Infrastructure (opens in new window)