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wenty thousand participants from more than 140 countries will be discussing investment trends and considering the future of sustainable investment under AIM’s Five Pillars: FDI, Start-ups, SMEs, Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI), Future Cities. A special event in focus this year is the One Belt One Road initiative. While certain economies have suffered from recent FDI declines, AIM believes these sources of investment can provide a cushioning effect. AIM, a UAE Ministry of Economy initiative, takes place under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai, and UAE vice-president. Sheikh Mohammed is keen to share the nation’s experience with other countries and encourage economic development.
Annual Investment Meeting Dubai | 2020
AIM has consistently attracted the participation and support of governments and ministries worldwide, as well as infrastructure and project authorities, global investors, financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, venture capitalists, site selectors, economic experts, investment professionals, international organisations and private corporations from all corners. Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri points out that, with the appropriate tools and economic structures, global FDI flows can be improved and investors lured away from protectionist policies. The World Investment Report, released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), confirms strong investor confidence in the UAE. The country has maintained its lead as the top FDI recipient in the Arab world and ranks second in West Asia. FDI inflows reached $10.39bn in 2018 ($10.35bn in 2017); outflows increased from $14.06bn in 2017 to $15.08bn in 2018. The 2020 AIM gathering identifies promising industry verticals and sets out to: • Help countries set up viable FDI investment opportunities • Show SMEs how best to present business value and competitiveness to investors • Advise countries how to improve their capital account position and link their local businesses with investors • Provide entrepreneurs the help they need to raise venture capital and seed funding, or scale their operations • Outline funding advice for the commercialisation of future cities • Help unlock the investment opportunities of One Belt One Road The conference provides an outstanding platform for smart thinking, where investors can consider the salient points of the five pillars. Participant experiences are enriched via a series of interactive workshops. There are regional opportunity and focus sessions, and suitable projects for the Belt and Road initiative will be presented 126
"The conference provides an outstanding platform for smart thinking, where investors can consider the salient points of the five pillars. Participant experiences are enriched via a series of interactive workshops." and assessed. Belt and Road will involve 65 countries, 4.4 billion people — and some 40 percent of global GDP. An AIM investment report on the subject will be produced. The AIM 2020 exhibition features countries, smart city solutions, and start-ups — all with international aspirations. At least 16 country presentations will promote investment opportunities, each reflecting the five pillars. Eligible start-ups will pitch to a judging panel that will decide on cash prizes and the provision of mentoring and funding possibilities. A roadshow initiative to seek out promising start-ups is also planned. There will be conglomerate investment presentations with the accent on sustainable investments. AIM 2020 will involve high-level meetings between government and the private sector, with a getting-acquainted lunch as a primer. Other networking opportunities include the AIM Gala Dinner and other sponsored meals. An investors’ hub interacts with government officials in a more formal and secured setting. AIM awards will recognise outstanding investment promotion agencies, start-ups, investors, future cities and SMEs. The nine-person Global Leaders Debate at AIM will include Mukhisa Kityi, secretary general of UNCTAD, Rustam Minnikhanov, president of Tartarstan, and Tarek Amer, governor of the Central Bank of Egypt. Strategic Holding develops and manages a portfolio of conferences and exhibitions, including AIM. Other Strategic events include the World Tolerance Summit, the Global Investment in Aviation Summit, the International Property Show, Dubai Investment Week, Dubai WoodShow, and Cairo WoodShow. The president of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, declared 2019 as Year of Tolerance in tribute to founding father, the Late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who said: "To treat every person, no matter what his creed or race, as a special soul, is a mark of Islam." i CFI.co | Capital Finance International