Chapter 4

The November edition of the Capital Series brought together The Handle Community for a focused discussion on how cross-border M&A is actively reshaping opportunity between Germany and the GCC.

As capital continues to move faster across borders, the session examined where durable value is being created and how investors and operators are structuring partnerships built for longevity. The conversation focused on German mid-market opportunities, regulatory efficiency in the UAE, and the growing importance of disciplined execution over deal size alone.

The session featured Dr. Albert Schander, Founder and Managing Partner at Clairfield International Germany, who highlighted the strength of Germany’s mid-market. Rather than mega-deals, he pointed to succession-stage companies with deep technical expertise, manufacturing capability, and long-term growth potential. These businesses are often overlooked internationally, yet align strongly with GCC capital seeking resilient, industrial value.

Mohamed Abu El-Makarem, Managing Partner and Chairman, focused on the UAE’s regulatory and operational efficiency as a key enabler of cross-border execution. He highlighted how legal clarity, speed, and institutional stability create a highly effective environment for dealmaking, particularly when paired with Germany’s disciplined industrial base.

Oliver von Wolff, Co-Founder and CEO of Handle Capital, addressed the UAE’s shift toward an onshore, tax-based economy. He explained how this transition supports more sustainable, productive businesses and creates a natural entry point for German SMEs seeking access to fast-growing markets across the GCC, MENA, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

The session opened with remarks from Salem Alsharji, who reflected on Dubai’s transformation into a city defined by safety, openness, and long-term opportunity. The discussion was further enriched by contributions from Dr. Khalid AlSaeed, Chairman of AlkHizanah Capital and a valued member of The Handle Community, who shared insights on why the GCC continues to emerge as one of the world’s most attractive investment regions. He highlighted the role of macro stability, demographic strength, geographic positioning, and growing trust between the GCC and Germany as key drivers of cross-border capital flows.

What emerged was a strong sense of alignment and momentum within The Handle Community. Germany and the UAE are not meeting at the peak of a cycle, but at the beginning of a deeper phase of collaboration grounded in trust, structure, and execution.