The Ministry of Foreign Trade announced that Singapore‑based Quest Global will establish multiple engineering research‑and‑development centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai under the UAE’s NextGen FDI initiative. The signing ceremony took place at the ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi with officials from Quest Global and the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) in attendance.
Quest Global’s agreement provides for the creation of more than 700 specialised engineering positions over three years, focusing on aerospace, energy and semiconductors. The centres will also include a training academy designed to upskill local talent in advanced design and simulation tools. Facilities are expected to open progressively from the second quarter of 2026.
Under the NextGen FDI framework, participants receive expedited licensing, long‑term residency options for technical staff and access to dedicated innovation‑district offices. The ministry reported that fifteen multinational technology companies have joined the programme since its launch in 2022, collectively committing over US $2 billion in capital expenditure.
The UAE Cabinet approved an extension of the initiative earlier this year, aiming to attract a further 300 digital and industrial firms by 2030. Quest Global representatives confirmed that additional collaborations with UAE universities will be announced in due course.