OneAsset examines how project delivery participation can turn bilateral investment commitments into lasting economic value
A US infrastructure trade mission scheduled to visit the UAE in November brings a practical dimension to the countries’ economic relationship: connecting investment ambitions with the businesses, services and infrastructure needed to deliver them.
For OneAsset, which is building market infrastructure connecting asset structuring, servicing, reporting and transfer controls, the next test of that cooperation lies in how commitments translate into operating projects and opportunities for businesses to participate.
Scheduled for 18–24 November, the US Department of Commerce-certified mission will cover utilities, transport, logistics and infrastructure resilience, according to the US-UAE Business Council. Its proposed meetings with government entities, developers, investors and operators place project delivery and commercial participation at the centre of the agenda.
Wider significance
The wider significance extends beyond individual projects. Infrastructure can support lasting economic activity when businesses can depend on its services, suppliers can participate in its development and investors can assess the demand underpinning it.
Recent US–UAE commercial discussions place greater emphasis on the infrastructure needed to keep economic activity moving. The US-UAE Business Council’s October 15 discussion highlighted alternative logistics routes and the continuity of technology infrastructure.
Investment opportunities
The commercial implication is that investment opportunities may emerge as much from improving existing networks as from building new facilities. Additional freight connections, equipment upgrades and maintenance capacity can help established assets operate more reliably.
“As US–UAE cooperation creates new possibilities for infrastructure investment, the connections around a project deserve as much attention as the facility itself. A lower-cost location can become more expensive to operate if deliveries are unreliable or essential services are difficult to access. Looking at transport, storage and potential downtime alongside the upfront cost gives a clearer picture of where expansion can be sustained and where new capacity should be located,” explained Arthur Katz, Chief Investment Officer, OneAsset.
