The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to the UAE reached $10.3 billion (Dh37.8 billion) in 2017, up from $9.6 billion (Dh35.23 billion) recorded in 2016, said the organisers of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) in Dubai, UAE, citing figures from the UAE Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.

Dawood Al Shezawi, the CEO of AIM, said: “The UAE’s FDI inflow is a living testimony of how liberal approach and an ease in doing business is helping the UAE attract more investment. The UAE’s FDI stock now exceeds $128.85 billion, which is significant and puts the UAE ahead of most countries in the Middle East.”

“Additionally, in the real estate sector, Dubai Land Department’s sound regulation that ensures maximum investment protection through escrow account has helped the emirate attract Dh107 billion ($29.15 billion) investment in 2017 by 39,480 investors through 52,958 transactions – more than 65 percent of which was carried out by foreign investors.

“Besides, the country’s 45 free zones collectively create a large gateway for trade and investment. In 2017, the UAE’s free zones handled Dh225.5 billion ($61.39 billion) worth of exports, a growth of 6.6 percent from the previous year, according to the UAE Central Bank.

“The forthcoming Annual Investment Meeting will focus on accelerating FDI flows across the world and explore new ways to boost investment and trade,” he added.

Global investment is seeing a bumpy recovery as worldwide foreign direct investment (FDI) flows reach $1.52 trillion in 2017, according to the World Investment Report published by the United Nations Council on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). FDI to developing economies remained stable, at an estimated $653 billion, 2 percent more than the previous year.

However, a number of issues relating to FDI, obstacles to investment and development, will be addressed at AIM, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, from April 9-11.

More than 20,000 investors, financial institutions, institutional investors, delegates, government officials and participants will participate at a series of events – exhibition, conference, country presentations, investors hub, investment awards and capacity–building workshops – to help attract investment in specific economic sectors and free zones or special economic zones.

AIM will be spread across 8,000 sq m of net exhibition space in which participants from 140 countries will promote their investment projects, opportunities, services and attractions.

AIM includes three-day series of conferences with world-renowned speakers from private and public institutions including high-level officials from the UAE, Russia, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tatarstan, Portugal, and many more.

The conference will focus on: Driving sustainable development through FDI; Investment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution; How technology is changing the future of productivity and growth; Public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects, Sovereign Wealth and Private Equity Funds and their role in investment, etc.

AIM will host a full-day workshop series that will tackle Emerging technologies and opportunities for investment promotion agencies; How to develop successful city regional economies; The role of chambers of commerce in achieving SDGs and the role of marketing and communications in investment promotion.

Speakers from the most reputable private companies such as Mubadala, Lulu Group, and the Kanoo Group will also be sharing their knowledge on foreign direct investment.

More than 1,000 high officials including one head of state, more than30 ministers and state ministers, and more than 30 heads of international organisations, government organisations, sovereign wealth funds, chambers, investment promotion agencies will be networking with potential investors and financial institutions to boost investment inflow into their countries to develop industries, businesses and help create employment.

AIM will host large investors including Emaar, Etisalat, Al Majdouie Investment, Jumeirah Group, Dubai Investments, Loukil Holding, Lulu Group, Sharjah Asset Management, Mubadala Investment, and many more.

New investment projects will be launched for the first time through an array of activities including Country Presentations, Exhibition, Investors' Hub, G2G, G2B, and B2B Networking Features, and AIM Startup Innovation Showcase and Startup Competition.

AIM will host more than 40 country pavilions and 18 country presentations/investment destinations will also be promoting investment opportunities in their locations including UAE, China, Georgia, Italy, India, South Korea, Egypt, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Jordan, Botswana, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

Top focused sectors are agribusiness and agriculture, energy and mining, finance and banking, infrastructure and logistics, IT and telecommunications, manufacturing, real estate & property, tourism & hospitality, and trade & industry. – TradeArabia News Service