Jad Ellawn, Brookfield's Managing Partner and Regional Head of the Middle East, discussed the region's strong growth and investment potential in a Bloomberg interview on February 23rd, 2026. He emphasized that the GCC continues to outperform many global markets, attributing this to a significant structural transformation underway. This shift is moving the region away from economies heavily reliant on oil towards more diversified economic models.
Brookfield, identified as one of the largest direct investors in the Middle East, views the region as a crucial long-term investment destination. Ellawn detailed that this diversification is creating substantial scale across key sectors, including infrastructure, real estate, and private equity. This makes the GCC particularly attractive for institutional investors seeking stable returns and growth opportunities.
Ellawn's remarks underscore Brookfield's confidence in the Middle East's economic trajectory. The firm is actively investing in essential assets that are underpinning the region's growth, ranging from hospitality and residential platforms to critical digital infrastructure supporting advancements in artificial intelligence. This strategic focus aligns with the region's broader efforts to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and channel capital into new, high-growth sectors.
Brookfield's commitment to the region is further evidenced by its managing approximately $16 billion in assets across private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. The company has also recently raised about $2 billion for a Middle East-focused fund, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), signaling continued strong investment interest despite geopolitical concerns in the broader region. Ellawn highlighted tailwinds such as accelerating economic reforms, robust fiscal buffers, deepening capital markets, and the ongoing institutionalization of the ecosystem as key drivers of opportunity.
