Abbas Husain, the global head of Infrastructure and Development Finance at Standard Chartered, discusses the evolving landscape of infrastructure finance with Global Finance. The conversation highlights Standard Chartered's recognition as the Best Investment Bank for Infrastructure Finance and its dedication to driving sustainable development through innovative financial solutions. The MENA region stands out for its innovative infrastructure projects in transportation, water management, renewables, and green hydrogen, attracting foreign investments and promoting public-private partnerships. The region is witnessing a shift towards clean energy projects like solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and green hydrogen, with a growing emphasis on addressing water scarcity through desalination and wastewater treatment initiatives. Future trends suggest a significant increase in clean energy investments, AI-driven data center developments, and a focus on refinancing and capital market solutions to meet evolving market demands. Despite the complexity of cross-border investments, the long-term economic viability of infrastructure projects continues to attract investor interest, with various entities exploring alternative financing options for stable long-term growth. Regulations play a crucial role in infrastructure finance, particularly in developing markets, where bridging funding gaps requires collaborative policy efforts to attract investor capital and promote sustainable investing practices.