Family Capital Connect Roundtable Enhances Partnerships Between Local Family Enterprises And Global Family Offices In Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Family Business Council (ADFBC), linked with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, collaborated with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to host the Family Capital Connect Roundtable. This event aimed to foster long-term partnerships and enhance dialogue between leading family enterprises in Abu Dhabi and global family offices.

More than fifty international family offices attended, managing assets worth several tens of billions of dollars across Europe, Asia, and North America. They joined prominent Abu Dhabi family businesses with multi-generational legacies and substantial investment capacity in key sectors of the emirate’s economy.

Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, opened the session. He emphasised the Chamber’s role in boosting investor confidence, expanding market access, and fostering an environment conducive to long-term business growth. He stated that Abu Dhabi has become a place where capital is purposefully invested, guided by clarity, trust, and a long-term vision.

Al Dhaheri remarked, "The Chamber is committed to ensuring that Abu Dhabi remains a destination where family capital can grow with confidence and contribute to the emirate’s economic ambitions." His comments underscored the importance of creating a supportive environment for sustainable growth.

Khaled Abdul Karim Al Fahim, Chairman of ADFBC and Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, discussed the Council’s mandate. He highlighted its growing role in facilitating collaboration between local family enterprises and international family offices. The Chamber operates fifteen advocacy working groups across key sectors, involving over two hundred senior leaders from the private sector.

Al Fahim noted that these groups serve as direct channels to Abu Dhabi’s business ecosystem. They identify opportunities, shape policy recommendations, and strengthen partnerships for family capital. "The ADFBC is the right partner for global family offices in Abu Dhabi," Al Fahim stated.

Investment Platforms

The roundtable featured insights from ADIO and the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC). They highlighted investment platforms and major infrastructure programmes across the emirate. Participants learned about upcoming projects, procurement opportunities, and Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building a transparent business environment ready for future challenges.

A moderated session chaired by His Excellency Khaled Abdul Karim Al Fahim invited local family enterprises to introduce their companies. They outlined their areas of interest while international family offices shared short overviews of their mandates and preferred sectors. This exchange allowed participants to identify alignment areas and initiate potential partnerships.

Commitment to Collaboration

After these introductions, Al Fahim observed: "These exchanges demonstrate the power of family capital. When families come together with a shared commitment to long-term value, the horizon expands and new pathways for collaboration emerge." The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment to continue building relationships between Abu Dhabi families and global family offices.

The Chamber reaffirmed its dedication to serving as a central access point for global family offices engaging with the emirate’s private sector. It aims to ensure that Abu Dhabi remains a trusted environment for sustainable long-term family capital investments.

With inputs from WAM