Dubai FDI extends support to inaugural Annual Investment Meeting (AIM)

• Dubai FDI is “Host City Sponsor” for the landmark summit, discussing opportunities for FDI and public-private partnerships worldwide

Dubai, May 9, 2011: Dubai FDI, the investment promotion arm of the Department of Economic Development (FDI), will highlight the success of Dubai in enhancing the business environment and attracting foreign investment at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM), opening in Dubai on the 10th of May 2011.

The first-of-its-kind summit will bring together policy-makers and strategists from the government and private sector worldwide, including leaders in key business sectors, to evaluate country-wide opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI) and public-private partnerships.

Dubai FDI is the “Host City Sponsor” of the meeting, to be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 10th to 12th.The summit is jointly organised by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, the United National Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA).

The three-day meeting is intended to give a fresh impetus to global growth by bolstering trade relations, renewing reciprocal business commitments and igniting strategic investments towards high growth economies.

Describing the summit as a strategic step towards promoting understanding on the prevailing global investment climate, Mr. Fahd Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai FDI said AIM will also allow Dubai to share its experience in activating trade and investment through innovative approaches.

“Dubai and the UAE have traditionally been a magnet for trade and investment in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region. The region accounts for approximately 25 per cent of the world population and has seen unprecedented economic growth and reforms recently. Dubai offers the best access point to MENASA and an increasing number of global businesses hence have Dubai as their regional hub today,” said Al Gergawi.

Al Gergawi added that Dubai is complementing its geographical advantage with structural improvements, drawing an encouraging response from investors in the region and beyond.

“Investors worldwide see vast potentials in being in Dubai. Last year A.T. Kearney ranked Dubai among the top 25 global investment destinations, which together attract 75 per cent of global FDI flows. Dubai was also ranked 11th globally and first in the MENA region in their FDI Confidence Index. Participants in AIM will be keen to know what sets Dubai apart as an investment destination and how we manage to do it. We are happy to share our experiences with them,” Al Gergawi said.
 

The Annual Investment Meeting will also build on the strong association between Dubai FDI and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). In 2010 WAIPA named Dubai FDI as its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) director, in recognition of Dubai FDI’s success in promoting and facilitating foreign investment inflows.