Local Content Best Places to Invest Middle East Launches to Advance Regional Economic and Workforce Development Across Global Networks

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Local Content today announced the launch of Best Places to Invest Middle East, a new regional digital platform and certification within the Local Content Global Networks designed to strengthen economic development on a foundation of global local content best practices across supplier and workforce localization, and to strengthen community investment, with a dedicated focus on the multi‑sector public–private infrastructure landscape of the Middle East. The new platform is accessible at localcontent.com/middle‑east.

The Middle East continues to lead the world in local content policy through national frameworks such as Saudi Arabia’s In‑Kingdom Total Value Add program, the United Arab Emirates’ In‑Country Value program, and Qatar’s Tawteen initiative. These programs have reshaped how multinational companies invest, operate, and partner across the region. Supplier development, workforce development, community investment, and compliance have become central pillars of long‑term economic transformation and national competitiveness.

Best Places to Invest Middle East is an investment‑focused Local Content Certification Program for companies operating within, or entering, the Middle East that want to publicly signal their alignment with, and contribution to, strengthening regional investment and local content performance. The program evaluates companies under a 100 Point Local Content Assessment process, enabling certified organizations to demonstrate measurable impact across supplier development, workforce development, community investment, and overall economic contribution to the Middle East. Participating organizations are listed on LocalContent.com/middle‑east, giving investors a trusted, data‑driven view of the region’s most competitive locations and partners.

Also located within LocalContent.com/middle‑east are additional Local Content products, including the flagship Local Content Certification for Most Trusted Companies, which measures performance across supplier development, workforce development, community investment, readiness, and compliance. The site will also host pre‑sale access for the upcoming Local Content Index, a product of the Local Content Global Networks, enabling governments, trade organizations, and economic development organizations to access global staeholder local content insights through a first‑in‑class terminal designed to benchmark industry and stakeholder performance and strengthen visibility for global investors. The Local Content Index will be available Fall of 2026. In addition, the platform will begin accepting nominations for the annual Local Content Power List Middle East Edition, which will be published later in 2027.

Most Trusted Companies and Best Places to Invest Middle East operate within the Local Content Global Networks, providing companies, governments, and investors with a unified framework to measure performance, strengthen competitiveness, and advance long‑term economic development. All products include enhanced credentialing and visibility options to support organizations seeking elevated recognition.

“The Middle East continues to set the global standard for local content excellence. By aligning supplier development, workforce development, community investment, and compliance with national transformation strategies, the region has become one of the world’s most attractive destinations for long‑term investment. Best Places to Invest Middle East provides organizations with a clear pathway to demonstrate readiness and connect with global investors seeking credible and future‑focused partners,” said Dan Sierra, Managing Director at Local Content.

Organizations across the Middle East and global investors are encouraged to partner with Local Content at LocalContent.com/middle‑east to secure early access to the directory and upcoming regional programs.

###