Hashed chief executive Kim Seo-joon identified Abu Dhabi as a strategic base for Korean companies seeking to expand across the Middle East and emerging markets. Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) Seoul on the 16th, he said Korea’s technology, infrastructure and industrial competitiveness complement Abu Dhabi’s capital, speed of execution and global network. Kim said the emirate should be viewed as a long-term business partner rather than merely a funding source, highlighting the United Arab Emirates’ efforts to broaden international exchange ahead of the post-oil era. He pointed to India and Africa as markets that can be reached through Abu Dhabi’s connections. Hashed, a Korean investment firm focused on blockchain (shared digital ledger technology) and artificial intelligence, has invested in India since 2021 and Africa since 2023. After observing the UAE ties of Indian business leaders and founders, as well as African companies’ links to global capital through the UAE, Hashed obtained an Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM, Abu Dhabi financial free zone) license last year. Two partners and one manager now work from Abu Dhabi. Kim also described the emirate’s rapid development over five years, including expanded cultural infrastructure on Saadiyat Island and Yas Island and stronger travel links with Korea. The forum, hosted by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, followed Kim’s proposal at the previous year’s Tokyo forum to hold the event in Seoul. He said he hopes the Korea-Abu Dhabi business relationship will become close enough within five years for Korean companies to regard the emirate as a reliable Middle East partner.