The UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade has announced that Quest Global, a Singapore-headquartered engineering research and development (ER&D) firm, will establish operations in the country under the NextGen FDI initiative, further strengthening the UAE’s position as a regional hub for innovation and manufacturing.
As part of the Quest Global UAE expansion, the company will launch several high-value engineering centres (HVECs) across the country. These centres will provide advanced solutions to businesses operating in energy, defence, and advanced manufacturing, integrating engineering excellence with artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
“The NextGen FDI initiative was created to attract forward-thinking, ambitious enterprises such as Quest Global to the UAE,” said Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade. “Their research centres will support industrial transformation, enhance productivity, and contribute to developing national talent.”
Accelerating Industrial Innovation In The UAE
The HVECs will serve as client-centric hubs to help companies enhance operational efficiency, foster innovation, and optimise complex supply chains. Quest Global’s entry is expected to play a critical role in upgrading the UAE’s engineering ecosystem and empowering local industry with global-standard R&D capabilities.
“The NextGen FDI Initiative opens important opportunities for us,” said Robert Vatter, Executive President, Quest Global. “It enables us to extend support to UAE- and GCC-based firms, helping them realise their ambitions and accelerate their journey toward becoming knowledge-driven enterprises.”
Supporting The UAE’s Knowledge Economy Goals
Since its inception in 2022, the NextGen FDI initiative has become a cornerstone of the UAE’s strategy to attract high-impact global firms. The programme facilitates rapid market entry through fast-track licensing, incorporation, and visa processing, removing bureaucratic barriers for innovative companies seeking to scale in the region.
The initiative has already drawn pioneering players across AI, robotics, hybrid aviation, precision fermentation, and alternative energy, creating specialised clusters that contribute to the UAE’s transformation into a knowledge- and innovation-based economy.
Quest Global’s participation is expected to further amplify these efforts, offering advanced R&D capabilities to key sectors and nurturing talent aligned with national development priorities.
As the UAE continues to position itself as a gateway to global markets, such high-value collaborations reinforce its appeal to next-generation enterprises seeking scalable growth, cutting-edge infrastructure, and strategic regional access.
–Input WAM
