Foreign direct investment (FDI)

We help international investors structure and protect their investments in the UAE and wider MENA region. Our lawyers provide comprehensive support for foreign direct investment, balancing opportunity with regulatory compliance.

Practice Overview

Kayrouz & Associates advises multinational corporations, investment funds, and high-net-worth individuals on all legal aspects of foreign direct investment in the Middle East. Our lawyers assist clients in identifying appropriate entry structures, navigating foreign ownership laws, and securing necessary approvals from regulatory authorities.

We provide end-to-end support across various sectors including energy, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and technology. Whether establishing greenfield operations, entering into joint ventures, or acquiring existing businesses, our team ensures that investment strategies are aligned with local legal frameworks and national economic goals.

Our expertise extends to licensing, tax structuring, labour law compliance, and negotiation of shareholder arrangements. We also help investors understand sector-specific incentives, foreign ownership thresholds, and Emiratization obligations, ensuring transparency throughout the process.

We work closely with economic zones, investment authorities, and ministries to help clients secure investor-friendly terms and long-term stability. Our practice also includes advising on investment protection under bilateral and multilateral treaties.

We offer legal advice on a wide spectrum of matters:

  • Legal structuring of foreign investments and joint ventures
  • Negotiation of investment terms and shareholder agreements
  • Regulatory approvals and licensing
  • Due diligence and local partner vetting
  • Tax and employment compliance advice
  • Investment protection under treaty law
  • Sector-specific regulatory counsel
  • Meet Our Team

    Our team is equipped to handle complex legal matters with precision and care. Learn more about our lawyers below.
    Pierre Kayrouz
    Chief Legal Officer
    Maria Valeyeva
    Chief Compliance Officer
    Georges Touma
    Head Litigator
    Hanan Ahmed
    Practicing Lawyer
    Lathamani Chandrashekar
    Senior Corporate Counsel
    Arka Navle
    Corporate Counsel
    Nashita Nazneen
    Junior Corporate Counsel
    Mark Engelman
    Intellectual Property Barrister
    Rita Semaan
    Legal Consultant
    Carlos Rahme
    Senior Legal Consultant
    Souhad Al Ghorayeb
    Senior Legal Consultant
    Sandy Geagea
    Legal Consultant
    Saeed Gaber
    Legal Research Analyst
    Muhammed Ali Charif
    Junior Legal Counsel
    Jenifer Abu Nasr
    Paralegal
    Patricia Abi Mansour
    Business Development Manager
    Varalakshmi Balasubramanian
    Operations Assistant
    Real estate law

    UAE Real Estate Tokenisation

    Overview of legal considerations around blockchain-based property assets and tokenised real estate investment models.

    read article
    June 3, 2025
    Corporate & commercial law

    Global trends in merger control enforcement

    Merger control and foreign investment hurdles contributed to a challenging 2024 for M&A. 2025 looks more promising, with pro-business agendas and regulatory easing in key jurisdictions expected to fuel a surge in dealmaking.

    read article
    June 3, 2025
    Corporate & commercial law

    Corporate transactions & AI

    Explore the evolving role of AI in corporate transactions, from emerging trends in AI-driven deals to the growing use of AI tools throughout the transaction process.

    read article
    June 3, 2025
    View all news and insights