The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Awards Gala, held yesterday (April 4) in Dubai, honoured investment promotion agencies from across the world for their outstanding work in driving investment into their countries.

The ceremony was held as part of the AIM 2017 at Armani Pavilion, Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE.

The event was graced by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy; Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, director General Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (Dafza); Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, director of Invest in Sharjah; Dr Douglas van den Berghe, CEO of Investment Consulting Associates and Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO of AIM organising committee.

With a wide group of international guests – top executives in charge of investment decisions related to participating countries and top management and entrepreneurs from leading international companies – the award gala recognises the contribution of the professional and advisory service firms, individuals and agencies in supporting foreign direct investment (FDI), said a statement.

Al Shezawi said: “FDI plays a huge role in supporting growth across all parts of the world and is a significant contributor to net job creation.”

“As such, it is time that we celebrate the achievements of these companies who attract sizeable and beneficial FDI that contribute to the economic growth and development of world markets,” he said.

In the seventh year of the Annual Investment Awards Gala, the organisers of the show have expanded the concept of the Awards to recognise the rapidly-growing expansion of companies across varied regions.

As such, the winning companies were announced from all nine participating regions. Moroccan Investment Development Agency (Groupe PSA), Kingdom of Morocco, was honoured as the winner for its best investment project in 2016 in the Middle East and North Africa region.

In addition, Argentine Republic, Agencia Argentina de Inversiones y Comercio Internacional (Renova) was awarded from the Latin America and the Caribbean region.

Republic of Ghana, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, from the West and Central Africa was also recognised for its enduring efforts.

Furthermore, Kenya, Kenya Investment Authority-KenInvest from East Africa, Republic of Mauritius, Board of Investment Mauritius from Southern Africa, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Commerce and Industries (The Alokozay Group of Companies (AGC) from Central Asia, Republic of India (BRS Venture Holdings & Limited), Invest India from South, East Asia and Oceania, Slovak Republic, Sario (Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency); (Jaguar Land Rover) from Central, Eastern Europe and Turkey and Kingdom of Belgium, Flanders Investment & Trade (Sanofi) from Europe were honoured and awarded for their exceptional efforts in boosting foreign direct investments (FDI) to their countries.

Al Shezawi added: “Taking this as an opportunity, I congratulate all the winners and extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all the participating companies for extending their support and cooperation in making this event memorable.”

“While we’ve lived up to our promise of facilitating the best in the industry, we promise that the future edition of the international forum will be much bigger and better,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service