A record participation from 84 countries, including 40 ministers, 5,000 investors and 2,000 experts, is expected at the upcoming Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) in Dubai, organised by the UAE Ministry of Economy.

The third edition of the event will be held from April 30 to May 2 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The UAE Ministry of Economy, in cooperation with Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, held a press conference at InterContinental Dubai Festival City, to announce the start of countdown for the opening of AIM.

The press conference was headed by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy; Khalifa Al Dabous, executive vice president of Investment Corporation of Dubai, chief executive officer, Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), the investment arm of the Dubai Government and Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, the organiser of the event.

AIM 2013 will be held under the theme of “A Future International Economic Landscape in the making, implications on FDI Growth in Frontier and Emerging Countries”.

Al Mansoori said that the success of last year’s edition of AIM has urged more presidents, ministers and investors from all over the world to participate this year.

He added that AIM 2013 will be offering new investment prospects through its new agenda of rich events, meetings, economic offerings, exhibitions and panel discussions with ministers, decision makers, investors, businessmen and academics.

“Since its inception two years ago, the Annual Investment Meeting has proved to be a lucrative platform for emerging businesses, which has helped create strategic alliances and new partnerships. We will make sure that this event will continue on this track, even in the years to come,” Al Mansoori said.

He pointed out that AIM has become a leading international event that addresses the needs of rapidly emerging economies, while the world continues to fight back one of the hardest economic crises of its time; facing high rates of unemployment, heavy debts, and restricted economic growth across developed markets.

As emerging markets continue to grow and attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), AIM provides the ideal platform to help developing countries reveal their strengths and leverage on the investment opportunities available, Al Mansoori added.

“The UAE, which is going through an unprecedented period of growth and development, is playing host to this massive event,” Al Mansoori continued.

“Taking into account the fundamental transformations occurring at the international level, which are shaping the new economic landscape on hand and the status quo of the global company that in its turn is affecting growth prospects in developing countries, while on the other hand, AIM will focus this year on the future face of globalization and its implications for foreign direct investment, as well as the investment outlook for emerging and frontier markets.”

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, chief executive officer (CEO) of Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), the investment arm of the Dubai Government, said: “The event aims to strengthen trade relations and consolidate mutual trade obligations and strategic investments by global investors in high growth economies.

“Furthermore, AIM will play a huge role in FDI promotion and open partnership opportunities for public and private sectors by shedding light on the economic fundamentals of the 84 countries participating in the event.”

Al Shezawi said: “AIM meets the urgent needs for holding a FDI meeting driven by developing markets, in light of the growing interests of these markets in attracting regional and international investors, as well as the dynamics and huge economic growth potential of these markets, especially under the unprecedented global economic crisis.”

“The meeting will focus on developing markets and FDI. The event will represent a catalyst for FDI and will play an important role in the promoting the growth of the developed economies, in addition to building relationships with partners and leaders in semi-industrial countries.”

Al Shezawi stressed that AIM will provide a solid base for companies and investors looking for viable projects and attractive returns for their investments. He noted that the event will feature a busy schedule full of bilateral meetings, exhibitions, seminars and workshops, in addition to the recently launched ‘Investment Awards.’ – TradeArabia News Service