The 140-plus activities include panel discussions, keynote addresses, workshops and expert-led sessions, alongside more than 80 direct meetings between businesses and investors.

Among the issues scheduled for discussion are the pressure facing global supply chains, what companies require from markets after establishing operations and how investment and trade policy can respond to changes in technology.

Artificial intelligence will also feature prominently, including its impact on the economics of building, manufacturing and scaling businesses.

The programme will examine the policies, infrastructure, skills and business models that economies need to continue attracting investment as global business conditions change.

More than 80 speakers from government, investment, business, technology and entrepreneurship will participate in this year's forum.

The line-up includes British entrepreneur and investor Simon Squibb and Indian entrepreneur and AI developer Varun Mayya, together with ministers, CEOs, economists, investors and industry leaders from the UAE and other international markets.

More than 20 exhibitors will also use the event to present investment opportunities, projects, services and business capabilities to participants.

The format places direct business discussions alongside the wider conference programme, giving participating companies and investors opportunities to meet during the two-day event.

The forum follows a year in which Sharjah attracted Dh7.74 billion in foreign direct investment across 142 projects.

The number of projects rose 45% year-on-year in 2025 and generated 5,673 new jobs, according to figures included in the forum announcement.

Investment extended across manufacturing, technology, logistics, real estate and the creative economy.

SIF 2026 will use that investment experience as part of a broader discussion around what companies are looking for when choosing markets and what governments need to develop to continue attracting capital.

Topics will range from the movement of goods and capital to AI adoption, infrastructure development and the requirements of emerging industries, bringing the international investment discussion to Sharjah across two days in October.