
Creating New Opportunities for FDI Attraction Using Data and Innovative Digital Tools – Global Data
Key Topics:
- Key trends that will drive innovative FDI and IPA strategies
- Revealing three key thematic areas IPAs should care more about
- Improving capacity and use of data insights and digital tools
- How to identify the right companies to target for your location using data
- How to use digital tools to improve reach and engage new markets
- How IPAs can align teams to work smarter, not harder, to improve FDI flow
- How to create an attractive content strategy to create demand from new markets
Workshop Facilitator:
Eleanor Slinger, Regional Director for Investment Monitor
Workshop Leader:
Glenn Barklie, Chief Economist, FDI, Global Data
Eleanor Slinger Investment Monitor Regional Director |
Glenn Barklie GlobalData Chief Economist, FDI |

New Age IPAs: Aligning with the Changing World Order - WAIPA
The world of investments is changing. Companies are moving production processes to trusted countries and FDI is becoming more concentrated “within blocks of aligned countries” (friend-shoring). Countries are introducing policies to strengthen domestic strategic manufacturing sectors. Investment flows to least developed countries have been affected disproportionally by global crises.
The four-session masterclass from WAIPA will help IPAs re-invent to align with the new world order. In the first session, we will provide an opportunity to understand FDI trends at global, regional & country levels. Good practices followed by best-in-class IPA’s through the investment lifecycle will be shared in the second session. In the third session, we will hear from an IPA Leader from a LDC country on select good practices followed. In the last session, we will bring out five key strategies that we believe are essential for New Age IPAs.
Workshop Leader:
Courtney Fingar, Senior Advisor, Europe, and Communications, WAIPA
Courtney Fingar WAIPA Senior Advisor, Europe, and Communications |

The Future of Investment Promotion - NxtZones
With changes in the volume and type of FDI taking place as well as the different communication strategies of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) adopted during the Covid-19 years, this workshop looks to the future of investment promotion. In particular it addresses the way IPAs can change their activities and organizational structure in order to continue to successfully attract and maintain FDI. It also explores what is necessary for IPAs to attract new forms of FDI (like FDI 4.0 or digital FDI), which stakeholder relations are important and how can IPAs best position themselves in the future Together we will try and develop a new roadmap for your IPA organization, activities and staff. Participants of all IPAs, investment policy officials, investment intermediaries and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are welcome to join this workshop
Workshop Leader:
- Dr. Douglas van den Berghe, CEO, NxtZones
- Courtney Fingar, Founder & Principal, Fingar Direct Investment
Dr. Douglas van den Berghe NxtZones Chief Executive Officer |
Courtney Fingar Fingar Direct Investment Courtney Fingar, Founder & Principal, Fingar Direct Investment |

Attracting High Quality FDI for Economic Growth - GDP Global
This workshop shows how economic growth and prosperity can be achieved through FDI attraction. It also addresses the wider economic development strategy. Topics include innovation and best practice in economic and investor research, IP strategy, campaign planning, country and sector targeting, engagement with investors, key milestones in attracting investment. Team organisation, place marketing, business networking and high level business introductions. We also consider how to audit the investment attraction KPIs that will help to focus on investment promotion success.
Workshop Leaders:
John Hanna, Managing Director, GDP Global Development
John Hanna GDP Global Managing Director |

How to Provide What Investors Want - FDI Center
This will be a very practical session that will offer detailed insight into how corporate investors make international expansion and location decisions. Participants will learn about their key requirements, the factors that influence their decisions and how IPAs can respond to their needs. The session will allow you to become more responsive to investors, tailor your IPA’s support to what is most important to them and help you to win projects based on the value you deliver.
Workshop Leader:
- Andreas Dressler, Managing Director, FDI Center
- Dr. Kim J. Zietlow, Director, FDI Center
Andreas Dressler Managing Director of FDI Center |
Dr. Kim J. Zietlow FDI Center Director |

Opening Remarks

Global Leaders Debate, Part 1: The Future Paradigm Shift: Future Investment Opportunities to Foster Sustainable Economic Growth, Diversity, and Prosperity
As the world recovers from the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, the investment world is going through a paradigm shift that will transform the global investment landscape and investment world. The global economy is adapting to the ‘new normal’, there are many factors that accelerate the new paradigm. This session will focus on how disruptive technologies, climate change and geopolitical tensions as well as the pandemic are all factors that the economy is faced with.
Moderator:
TBC
Panelists:
- Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UNCTAD
- Antonio Pedro, Acting Secretary General, Economic Commission for Africa
- H.E. Rashed Albalooshi, Head of Application Development, Dubai Development Authority
- Khalid Ali Al-Ruwaigh, CEO, Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (Apicorp)
- Jung Sook Park, Secretary General, WeGo

World Economy Debate: The Future of the Global Investment World
Many economies have been affected by recent global changes including unprecedented levels of inflation, elevated debt levels, climate change and other underlying pressures.
World leaders face the tough challenge of controlling the world economy and reduce inflation at a critical time when growth is stagnated.
This panel brings together the world’s economic leaders to tackle some of the biggest global challenges and focus on effective approaches to strengthen the world economy.
Moderator:
TBC
Speakers:
- H.E. Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development, Russian Federation
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, UAE
- H.E. Wang Wen Tao, Minister of Commerce, People’s Republic of China
- H.E. Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, India

Global Leaders Debate, Part 2: The Future Paradigm Shift: Future Investment Opportunities to Foster Sustainable Economic Growth, Diversity and Prosperity
As the world recovers from the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, the investment world is going through a paradigm shift that will transform the global investment landscape and investment world. The global economy is adapting to the ‘new normal’, there are many factors that accelerate the new paradigm. This session will focus on how disruptive technologies, climate change and geopolitical tensions as well as the pandemic are all factors that the economy is faced with.
Moderator:
TBC
Speakers:
- Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General, States of Arab League
- Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Secretary General, Africa Caribbean Pacific (OACPS)
- Sergio Diaz-Grandos G., Executive President, Development Bank of Latin America
- Rustam Minikhanov, Head of Republic Tatarstan
- H.E. Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area
- Jun Ge, Group CEO, ToJoy

AIM Exhibition Opening

Lunch & Networking Break

MC Opening Remarks

14:05 - 14:10
Opening Remarks by H.E. Omar Ahmed Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, United Arab Emirates
H.E. Omar Ahmed Suwaina Al Suwaidi United Arab Emirates Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology |

Keynote Address on Investing in Space to attain the UN SDG's and Sustainability
Candace Johnson, Chair Seraphim Space Advisory Board and Partner, Vice-Chair NorthStar Earth & Space, Founder/Co-founder SES, Loral Teleport Europe, Europe Online, GTWN, OWNSAT, VATM, GBRW.
Candace Johnson Seraphim Space Advisory Board and Partner Chair |

Global Economic Outlook - Beyond the Paradigm Shift, Where Next for the Investment Market
After years of uncertainty and turbulent times, the need for FDI is at it’s all time high. Attracting FDIs will not only help the economy back on track but will ensure a successful future ahead. This session aims to explore the opportunities for FDI and FPI in identifying changes that will transform the global investment landscape, influencing investments with ESG and embracing all stakeholders.
Moderator:
Torek Farhadi, Former International Monetary Fund Advisor
Panelists:
- Jad Ellawn, Managing Partner, Regional Head of the Middle East, Brookfield
- Dr. Yousuf Hamed Al-Balushi, Founder, Oman Investment Gateway
- Dr. Lassaad Lachaal, Senior Advisor to the President-MENA Region, African Development Bank Group
- Renee Haugerud, Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Galtere
- Krzysztof Drynda, Chairman, Polish Investment and Trade Agency
- Ibraev Danil, President, Kyrgyz Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs
- Vazil Huda, Chairman, AVANEA
- H.E. Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta and Permanent Representative of Malta to IRENA Abu Dhabi
Jad Ellawn Brookfield Regional Head of the Middle East, Brookfield |
Dr. Yousuf Hamed Al Balushi Oman Investment Gateway Founder & Chairman |
Khawaja Aftab Ahmed IFC, a member of the World Bank Group IFC’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan |
Krzysztof Drynda Polish Investment and Trade Agency Chairman |
H.E. Maria Camilleri Calleja Republic of Malta Ambassador of the Republic of Malta and Permanent Representative of Malta to IRENA Abu Dhabi |

Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy and Industrial Sector in Abu Dhabi
Moderator:
Gareth Presch, Founder & CEO, World Health Innovation Summit
Panelist: Eng. Arafat Saleh Al Yafei, Executive Director of Industry Development Bureau, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
Gareth Presch World Health Innovation Summit Founder and CEO |
Eng. Arafat Saleh Al Yafei Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Executive Director of Industry Development Bureau |

Devoting FPIs Towards a Greener World
Foreign Portfolio Investments have been adhering to ESG and climate goals. This session focuses on current and future projects and initiatives towards sustainable and diverse FPIs
Moderator:
K Mohit Bhasin, Partner & Global Co-lead for Economic Growth Practice, KPMG
Panelists:
- Bilal Sabouni, Managing Director, Guidepoint
- Jessica Cheam, Founder and Managing Director, Eco-Business
- Wolfgang Engel, General Manager and Chief Representative of the IIF's Middle East & Africa Regional Office, Institute of International Finance
- Lukasz Holubowski, CEO, Rafako
- Takaaki Nakamura, Business Unit Manager, NIFCO Inc.
Mohit Bhasin KPMG Partner, Global Co-Lead of Economic Growth Practice |
Bilal Sabouni Guidepoint Managing Director |
Jessica Robinson EY Parthenon MENA Sustainable Finance Leader |
Jessica Cheam Eco-Business Founder and Managing Director |
Wolfgang Engel Institute of International Finance General Manager and Chief Representative of the IIF's Middle East & Africa Regional Office |
Lukasz Holubowski Rafako S.A. President of the Management Board |
Takaaki Nakamura NIFCO Inc. Business Unit Manager |

Creating Resilient Supply Chains to Enhance Growth Opportunities
Creating resilient supply chains and new infrastructure is needed to remain relevant in the 21st century. With ongoing economic tensions and disruptions, economies are slowly shifting away from globalization. Rising costs has forced economies to rethink their policy in emerging markets to keep up with the paradigm shift and achieve a durable recovery. This in turn will create opportunities for technology and innovation for efficient new industries. As supply chain pressures continue to grow and global growth is predicted to slump, recession for most countries is hard to avoid. Creating stronger supply chains and investing in innovative technologies will ease the bumpy road ahead.
Moderator:
John Hanna, Managing Director, GDP Global
Panelists:
- Asmae Ben Bahida, CEO, Just BiM iT
- Zorad Egon, Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO)
- Dr. Manuel Francisco Pedro, Chairman, Board of Directors of The Luanda-Bengo SEZ
- Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, CEO, Ghana Export Promotion Authority
- Andrew Hoad, CCO, Gulftainer
- Dr. Assia Ben Saad is Director of Cooperation & Partnerships at the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency
- Mohamed Kassem, Chairman, Egyptian Exporters Association Expolink
John Hanna GDP Global Managing Director |
Egon Zorad Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency Director of Foreign Trade Department |
Dr. Manuel Francisco Pedro Luanda-Bengo SEZ Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Dr. Afua Asabea Asare Ghana Export Promotion Authority Chief Executive Officer |
Mohamed Kassem Egyptian Exporters Association Expolink Chairman |

Close of Conference Day 1

AIM Investment Awards 2023 and Gala Dinner

Breakfast Networking - Investment Track: AIM 2023 – Investment Report Launch – Global Data
AIM in partnership with GlobalData and Investment Monitor invite you to an exclusive breakfast and panel session at AIM prior to the launch of GlobalData’s Middle East & Africa FDI Report 2023: What is the next leap in FDI for the Middle East Africa region?
Investment Monitor’s FDI Report 2023: A focus on the Middle East & Africa
Moderator:
Eleanor Slinger, regional director for Investment Monitor
Panelists:
- Glenn Barklie, Principal Economist, Investment Monitor & Head of FDI Services, GlobalData Sam Hall, Chief Digital Officer, GlobalData
- Dr. Martin Kaspar, Head of Corporate Development, Fränkische Industrial Pipes
- David Parker, International Investment Promotion Specialist
This breakfast is free to attend, but space is limited.
Register Here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftiOHEeE4tWBIeQB68eZz_yryKWYpwY0VzkH4Zj5ueE80rfg/viewform
Any questions please contact: polly.townsend-rose@ns-mediagroup.com

Bridging the Gap: Establishing Strong International Relationships and Building Trust
Having strong relationships is the backbone to any investment. Maintaining good relationships internationally is even more critical to the success of projects. Successful relationships are built on trust and this in turn will ensure growth long-term. This session aims to look at best practices for building long-term relationships and maintaining them.
Moderator:
Eleanor Slinger, Regional Director MEA, Investment Monitor
Panelists:
- Reginald Yofi Grant, CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
- Roger Latchman, Consul-General of Georgia in Johannesburg
- Dr. Mazdak Rafaty, Managing Partner, Ludwar International Consulting
- Omar Al Gharabally, President and Partner, Greenstone Equity Partners
- Dr. Martin Kaspar, Head of Corporate Development, Fränkische Industrial Pipes
- Eng. Ahmed Taha, Executive Director, Egyptian Exporters Association Expolink
Eleanor Slinger Investment Monitor Regional Director |
Reginald Yofi Grant Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Chief Executive Officer |
Roger Latchman General Counsel of Georgia Consul-General of Georgia in Johannesburg |
Dr. Mazdak Rafaty Ludwar International Consultancy FZC Managing Partner |
Dr. Martin Kaspar Fränkische Industrial Pipes Head of Corporate Development |
Eng. Ahmed Taha Egyptian Exporters Association Expolink Executive Director |
Daniel Silverman Investissement Québec International Vice President, Foreign Direct Investment |

Digital Transformation: Integrating Innovative Technologies in FDI to Increase Value
Digitalization for economies delivers huge benefits in boosting economic growth. Both technological innovation and FDI contribute to the economic growth and success. Attracting FDI is significant as we aim to go back to pre-pandemic levels of growth. As FDI brings new technologies and innovations, they are an important source of success.
Moderator:
Matthew Stephenson, Head, Investment Policy and Practice, World Economic Forum
Panelists:
- Saifi Ismail, President, Yalla Group
- Glenn Barklie, Chief Economist, FDI, GlobalData
- Krunoslav Ris, CEO, Lumen Spei
- Eng. Ali Abdulhaq Al Baloushi, CEO, EcoX
- Behnam Gurbanzada, CEO & Founder, PayZakat.Global
Matthew Stephenson World Economic Forum Head, Investment Policy and Practice |
Saifi Ismail Yalla Group President |
Glenn Barklie GlobalData Chief Economist, FDI |
Krunoslav Ris Lumen Spei LTD Chief Executive Officer |
Eng. Ali Abdulhaq Al Baloushi EcoX Chief Executive Officer |

Towards Investment Facilitation for Development: How a New Agreement Can Help Grow FDI Flows and Prosperity
Over 110 economies are about to conclude a new agreement at the WTO on Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD Agreement), providing both a roadmap and potential resources to improve investment climates. This is very exciting, as it builds on a strong track record of using the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement to lower time and cost of trade – bringing tangible benefits to both firms and countries – but now applies the same approach to investment facilitation.
Estimates place the potential welfare gains through improved investment climates at between 0.56% and 1.74% growth in global GDP depending on the depth of the final agreement, which will translate into jobs, revenue and increased prosperity.
Yet any agreement is only a piece of paper until implemented in practice. This session will explore how governments and companies can work together with international organizations and investment practitioners to implement the IFD Agreement and realize these benefits.
What are the next steps? What are the main challenges to facilitating investment? How can your company or government be involved to help address them? By how much is foreign direct investment expected to grow? Join this session to find out.
Moderator:
Matthew Stephenson, Head, Investment Policy and Practice, World Economic Forum
Panelists:
- Mohit Bhasin, Partner and Global Co-Lead, Economic Growth, KPMG
- Ghada Abdelkader, Senior Vice-President, CE-Invests, Crescent Enterprises
- Faisal Al Nabhani, Director, International Relations Department, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman
Matthew Stephenson World Economic Forum Head, Investment Policy and Practice |
Mohit Bhasin KPMG Partner, Global Co-Lead of Economic Growth Practice |
Faisal Al Nabhani Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion of Oman Director of International Cooperation & Trade Relations |

Lunch & Networking Break

Quality FDI: Attracting Meaningful Investments for Economic Growth
Attracting investment boosts the economy by creating jobs and driving innovation. However, what type of investment does the economy need? What does it mean to attract quality investments that will add value to the economy? How do you identify which projects are suitable for foreign investment?
When is FDI not a good thing for your economy? We need to assess the strategic industries, long-term capital movement and disruption to local industries.
Moderator:
Andreas Dressler, Managing Director, FDI Center
Panelists:
- H.E. Vahan Kerobyan, Minister of Economy, Republic of Armenia
- Mikheil Khidureli, CEO, Enterprise Georgia
- Hossam Heiba, CEO, Gafi
- Mario Al-Jebouri, Head of Dubai Representative Office, Banque Cantonale de Genève
- Nangula Uaandja, CEO, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
- Zdenko Lucić, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
- Karl Tabbakh, Board Chair, Invest in Canada
Andreas Dressler Managing Director of FDI Center |
H.E. Vahan Kerobyan Ministry of Economy Republic of Armenia Minister of Economy |
Mikheil Khidureli Enterprise Georgia Chief Executive Officer |
Hossam Heiba General Authority for Investment & Free Zones President |
Mario Al-Jebouri Banque Cantonale de Genève Head of Dubai Representative Office |
Nangula Nelulu Uaandja
Chief Executive Officer of Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) |
Karl Tabbakh Invest in Canada Board Chair |

Boosting Capital Markets to Develop Market Efficiency Through FPI
Foreign Portfolio Investments are important to any economy. FPIs help to strengthen and improve domestic capital markets. This session aims to look at how FPI is used to tackle the world’s biggest social and environmental changes.
Moderator:
Martin Kunzmann, Director – Production & Content, DDC Financial Group
Panelists:
- Jassim Alseddiqi Board Managing Director, SHUAA Capital
- Sean He, Founding Partner, Silicon Harbor
- Dr. Daghles Murad, Partner / White & Case LLP, Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Martin Kunzmann DDC Financial Group Director – Production & Content |
Jassim Alseddiqi SHUAA Capital p.s.c Member and Managing Director |

Geopolitical Tensions: Mitigating Global Risk in your Portfolio
Geopolitical risks are high on the agenda for any investor. What do you do if your company does business in an unpredictable market? How might regulatory changes affect your business resilience? To manage geopolitical risks, businesses need to ensure they are resilient and adaptable to changes. This session sheds some light on best practices in recovering from geopolitical tensions.
Moderator:
Adam Ward, Director, Geopolitico Insight and Counsel
Speaker:
- Radoslaw Domagalski, CEO, Rafako
Adam Ward Geopolitico Insight and Counsel Director |
Radoslaw Domagalski Rafako S.A. President of the Management Board |

Leveraging Super Trends in Investment to Create Resilient Portfolios
In order to stay ahead, investors need to tap into the super trends that will shape the world. Climate change is top of the agenda with political leaders shifting priorities for sustainable investment. This session will look at the current disruptors in the market and focus on where the industry is headed to.
Moderator:
Bruno Delaye, Vice President Senior ADIT, ESL&Network
Speaker:
- Fahad Attamimi, CEO, Four Trade B.V
- Tafadzwa Chinamo, CEO of Zimbabwe Investment & Development Agency
- Dr. Holger Bingmann, President, National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce
Bruno Delaye ADIT Senior Vice President |
Fahad Attamimi Four Trade B.V. Chief Executive Officer |
Tafadzwa Chinamo Zimbabwe Investment & Development Agency Chief Executive Officer |
Dr. Holger Bingmann National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce President |

Close of Conference Day 2

Sustainable Investment Opportunities in FDI
Research suggests that sustainability is integral to investment decision-making globally and increasing massively. This is predicted to grow and not only will it be imperative to include ESG in new investments, but it is also a powerful driver for a sustainable future. How do we encourage the development of sustainable technologies and how to integrate ESG going forward.
Moderator:
Gareth Presch, Founder & CEO, World Health Innovation Summit
Panelists:
- Stephania Bonilla, Senior Economic Affairs Officer – Investment Promotion & Facilitiation for Sustainable Development, UNCTAD
- Andrew Clutz, Head of Economic Development, Tractus
- Isamu Koyama, Representative Director, Japan Innovation Park General Incorporated Association
- Karie James, Expansion Director, Regen Organics
Stephania Bonilla UNCTAD Senior Economic Affairs Officer – Investment Promotion & Facilitiation for Sustainable Development |
Isamu Koyama Japan Innovation Park General Incorporated Association Representative Director |
Karie James Regen Organics Expansion Director |

Moving to Net Zero and Decarbonizing your Portfolio
The sustainability revolution is the biggest impact on investment globally. Investors will align their portfolios with a net zero economy. In order to reach the goals of net zero 2050, new ways of thinking need to be applied. Exploring the latest thinking on net zero transition plans
Moderator:
Eric Van Honk, Director, AMPOWR
Panelists:
- Hiro Mizuno, CEO and Representative Partner, Good Steward Partners, LLC
- Jon Moore, CEO, BNEF
- Muhamad Yusrizki, Chairman, KADIN Net Zero Hub
- Abhay Bhargava, VP and Regional Leader for E&E, Frost & Sullivan
- Timucin Engin, Senior Director and the Cross-practice Country Coordinator for the GCC region based in Dubai, S&P Global
- Anas BaChar, Founder & Managing Director, Sprezzatura Advisors
Eric Van Honk AMPOWR Director |
Hiro Mizuno Good Steward Partners, LLC Founder and CEO |
Jon Moore BloombergNEF Chief Executive Officer |
Muhammad Yusrizki KADIN Net Zero Hub Chariman |
Abhay Bhargava Frost & Sullivan Vice President– Energy & Environment and Sustainability Practice |
Timucin Engin S&P Global Senior Director and the Cross-practice Country Coordinator for the GCC region based in Dubai |
Anas BaChar Sprezzatura Advisors Founder & Managing Director |

Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi President of Annual Investment Meeting - UAE |
Weixi Gong UNIDO's Investment Promotion Division and Coordinator for the Investment and Technology Promotion Offices Chief |

The Technology Track: The Effect of the 4IR and the IIoT on Boosting Industrialization Investment plans
Fourth Industrial Revolution or 4IR is one of the trending directions in
industrialization in the coming decades; 4IR involves specifically four technologies:
High-speed Mobile Internet, AI & Automation, the Usage of Big Data Analytica, and
Cloud Technology. In 2022, the industrial IoT segment, automotive, Surveillance &
Security are expected to account for the largest share of the smart manufacturing
market. This panel shall highlight the latest global trends, with regard to the
industrialization technology, The complexity of the industrialization and the
development of Tech-Start-up, and the convergence of Operation Technology (OT)
and Information Technology (IT) and the unlocking of new business opportunities
and its effect on the investment plans.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
Supervisory Controller & Data Acquisition (SCADA)
Enterprise Resource & Planning (ERP)
Distributed Control System (DCS)
Human Machine Interface (HMI)
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
Moderator: Dr. Weixi Gong, Chief, Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnership - UNIDO
Weixi Gong UNIDO's Investment Promotion Division and Coordinator for the Investment and Technology Promotion Offices Chief |
Ubaydli Al Ubaydli President - Arab ICT Union |
Dr. Krunoslav Ris Chief Executive Officer - Lumen Spei LTD & Digital Transformation Consultant |
Alexei Yuzhakov CEO & Founder of Ujin Technologies, RDI Robots. |
Ali Eslami CEO, AXL Electric Vehicles Inc, Canada |
Jassem Al Shikar EEA Board Member and Head of Industrial Committee - Emirati Entrepreneurs Association |

The Investment Track: Opportunities, Challenges & Risks of Investing in Industrial Sector
The smart manufacturing market is expected to reach $446.24 billion by 2029,
growing at a CAGR of 21.5% during the forecast period of 2022-2029. The growth of
the smart manufacturing market is attributed to factors such as the increasing
number of government initiatives to promote industrial automation, the rising
number of investments in Industry 4.0, growing demand for safety regulation
compliance, and high labor costs in developed economies. However, the high capital
and operating expenses and a lack of standardization for technology platforms are
some of the major factors restraining the growth of this market. This panel shall
discuss the global investment opportunities and challenges, as well as investment
geographical & segment directions.
Directing Investments to IIOT and the ROI question: Challenges &
Opportunities
Cross industry Collaborations, merges and acquisitions
4IR and the investment in R&D: How does Investment in R&D affects 4IR
with respect to GERD, Patent applications, and number of scientific journal
publications
The lack of the competition in the financial and banking sector
Bridging the investment Gap
Promoting the Integrative Economy Plan
Foreign Direct Investments and High-tech Industries
Moderator: Dr. Weixi Gong, Chief, Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnership - UNIDO
Weixi Gong UNIDO's Investment Promotion Division and Coordinator for the Investment and Technology Promotion Offices Chief |
Ayman El Tanbouly Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer at Exits MENA |
H.E. Fabio Righi Minister of Industry, Handicraft & Trade, Technological Research, Regulatory Simplification – Republic of San Marino |
Mr. Wu Yabin Head UNIDO ITPO Beijing |
Sonya Janahi Global Entrepreneur & Board Member - Bahrain Chamber |
Reem Baghdadi Chairwoman - Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women |
Gowtham Daas Senior Manager | Investment Facilitation |

H.E. Mubarak Ali Al-Mansoury Executive Director-ADAFSA |
Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi President of Annual Investment Meeting - UAE |

The Technology Track: The Development in Responsible Investment Trends in Global Agribusiness and Food Security: Encouraging the Flow of Money in Agriculture & Food Sectors
David Albertani CEO - R20 |
David Cogut Pegasus Partner - Pegasus Capital Advisors |
Reuben Benjamin Founder – ANIMA |
Dr. Shamal Mohammed Director – Agritech & R&D |
Daniel Goldstein Group CEO - Elements Talent Consultancy |
José Francisco Fernández Serna E-motion / Freshko DMCC Managing Director Middle East- Blendhub |
Andrzej Voigt President of the Board – EIC Accelerator Fund Poland |
Dr. Ashraf Hamouda in charge Partnerships in the GCC Region – FAO |
Dr. Beatrix Henkel Managing Director – Hempy People General Trading LLC |
Daniel Solomon Founder - HeroGo |
Farah Chakhachiro Vice President Gracia Group |

The Investment Track: The Development in Responsible Investment Trends in Global Agribusiness and Food Security: Encouraging the Flow of Money in Agriculture & Food Sectors
Dr. Ashraf Hamouda in charge Partnerships in the GCC Region – FAO |
David Cogut Pegasus Partner - Pegasus Capital Advisors |
Reuben Benjamin Founder – ANIMA |
Dr. Shamal Mohammed Director – Agritech & R&D |
Daniel Goldstein Group CEO - Elements Talent Consultancy |
José Francisco Fernández Serna E-motion / Freshko DMCC Managing Director Middle East- Blendhub |
Andrzej Voigt President of the Board – EIC Accelerator Fund Poland |
Dr. Beatrix Henkel Managing Director – Hempy People General Trading LLC |
Daniel Solomon Founder - HeroGo |
David Albertani CEO - R20 |
Farah Chakhachiro Vice President Gracia Group |

Value Creation in Cities & Communities - EXPO Dubai Group
Cities are the modern frontier for sustainable development and today, home to over 56% of the world’s population. They account for more than 60% of global CO2 emissions and by 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will call cities home. Expo City Dubai embraces the principles of sustainable urban development and in its own design, utilized a holistic values-driven approach to create a positive outcome for people and the planet.
The Expo Dubai Group’s 360 Advisory is uniquely positioned to provide insight, experience, and expertise to city and community stakeholders and support them to adopt a values-driven, holistic approach to address the unique challenges that they face. The advisory will have a broad perspective and will consider the many layers that make up a city including the physical, operational, experiential, & programmed environments; the cultural and social context; and the virtual environment.
The broad perspective is supported by deep domain expertise in a wide range of specializations to provide comprehensive and holistic support including strategic consulting, sustainable urban development, sustainable planning and design, sustainable city operations, next zero cities, and de-carbonization, as well as program and stakeholder management.
Opening Remarks:
Nadia Verjee, Executive Director, Expo Dubai Group
Workshop Leader:
Monte Wilson, Global Market Director and Global Vice President for the Built Environment, Jacobs
Nadia Verjee Expo Dubai Group Executive Director |
Monte Wilson Expo Dubai Group Global Market Director and Global Vice President for the Built Environment, Jacobs |
Daniel Render Expo Dubai Group Senior Advisor Sustainable Cities |
Lara El Saad Expo Dubai Group Senior Manager City Advisory |
Misha Mittal Expo Dubai Group Senior Manager City Advisory |

What are Future Cities? How can FDI be leveraged to deliver Future Cities'
Smart Cities and Future Cities. This workshop covers the global demographic and tech trends, the enabling smart city policies and programmes, plus top tips on how to use FDI to create competitive city regions. This workshop is of interest to all who live in and are involved in promoting cities.

The Making of Smart and Sustainable City: Implementing smart and sustainable city projects through Private-Public-People Partnership (PPPP) – WeGo
The World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) will organize a workshop to engage in and facilitate conversations around the topic of smart city development, which is widely WeGO’s fundamental principle is based on Private-Public-People Partnership (PPPP), interconnecting cities, corporations, public institutions and citizens into the mix of partnerships formed. Both the public and private sector conjoin and collaborate to discover ideas for human-centered innovation or digitalization of services using smart technologies. recognized as an important tool driving economic growth.
One of WeGO’s main activities is the matchmaking solution. When partners share their projects in search of the right partnership, WeGO’s vast global network assists to solve urban challenges and expand collaboration opportunities. Members and partners share their smart city challenges and projects via WeGO Smart City Driver and we analyze the received proposals, then identify and connect possible solution providers and funding opportunities.
This workshop will specifically focus on the practicalities of making a smart and sustainable city through PPPP. Indeed, there are many factors to consider to make a successful urban transformation, such as navigating complex regulatory systems, financing, capacity for implementation, and accessibility.
This workshop will be an opportunity to share your urban challenges with WeGO and create a momentum for collaboration in implementing smart and sustainable city projects in your city. The workshop will be open to policy makers, officials from local and central governments and other interested stakeholders in the smart city field and encourage participants to engage in an interactive and open discussion around the actual challenges faced when developing smart and sustainable cities.
Workshop Leader:
Eunbyul Elena Cho, Head of Program Department, WeGO
Eunbyul Elena Cho WeGo Head of Program Department |

SME Session
SMEs Workshop 1 – International Trade Centre (ITC – She Trades) - Power Up Your Business
- Understanding key barriers and bottlenecks for women in trade, with a special focus on UAE
- Building awareness on trade and gender dynamics through gender-sensitization activities
- Improving your business competitiveness to trade internationally
- Spotlighting tools (including demo session) to support women in trade, eg. Shetrades.com, SheTrades Invest tool, Self-assessment tool, ITC Trade Maps, etc.
Ms. Anna Zaleski Mori Partnerships and Programme Manager, ITC SheTrades |
Ms. Kritee Sharrma Associate Programme Officer, ITC SheTrades |

INSME: Bringing Innovation to the Market
Innovation today is more important than ever and even though most of the technological innovations come from R&D, technology itself is not enough, it must be coupled with a market opportunity. The workshop will introduce SMEs to strategies and tools on how to:
- Gain customer insights
- Develop new products that match customers’ needs
- Develop a solution with a solid value proposition
- Create a go-to-market strategy
Dr. Giovanni Zazzerini Secretary General – International Network for SMEs |

Enhancing SME Access to Finance: Financial Inclusion perspective
The workshop aims to discuss mechanisms and initiatives to improve SME access to finance, as one of the pillars of enhancing financial inclusion, access to financial services for SME, and attracting new segments of companies to the banking sector.
Dr. Ahmed Khalil Head of SME Business Development – Banque Misr |

Startups Workshop 1 – Tick & Talk
Crafting a Winning Investor Pitch: 12 Essential Components to Impress Investor
In this session, you will learn how to craft a winning and captivating investment pitch deck. It will cover the 12 essential elements that constitute a successful pitch, including tips for crafting a compelling story, creating a strong value proposition, and showcasing your team's expertise. With practical examples and real-world insights, you'll gain the knowledge and skills to impress investors and secure the funding you need.
Omar Hamada Moderator: Founder & CEO – Tick & Talk |

Startups Workshop 2 - WBAF: What do angel investors learn before they invest in startups?
The objective of this exclusive workshop is to introduce investor mindset and strategies to those considering raising fund from corporate ventures, angel investors, crowdfunding platforms, VCs, banks, public grants, co-investment funds, business plan competitions, family offices, and private equity investors. The workshop aims to give the basic principles of investors and to-dos and not-to-dos while raising fund as a qualified entrepreneur and a startup founder.
AIM Participants of this workshop will be awarded a WBAF Business School Certificate and provided a free access to the WBAF Financial Inclusion Center.
Workshop Leader:
Baybars Altuntas, Executive Chairman, World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF)
Baybars Altuntas Executive Chairman, World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) |

Startups Workshop 2 – HUB 71: A Startup's Guide to Corporate Partnerships: Master the art of pitching and discover techniques to create a winning proposition that unlocks growth opportunities
The objective of this workshop is to provide startups with a deeper understanding on how to structure their pitches specifically for corporations. Startups who attend this workshop will further enhance their skillset to allow them to capitalize on growth opportunities.
Basma Albadi Growth & Strategy - Hub71 |
Jeremy Shorter Assistant Vice President – INNOVATION - Aldar Corporate |

Startups Workshop 2 – Founders Institute: 7 C’s of Startup Strategy
For startups, working in ever-changing and sometimes volatile environments poses a challenge to strategy setting. This entails Entrepreneurs to keep their strategy documents alive and frequently-visited to accommodate the evolving factors surrounding their startups. This workshop is meant to guide Entrepreneurs to the underlying factors contributing to them setting a strategy that is solid, subjective, and versatile.
Dr. Hanan El Basha Director Qatar & GCC – Founder Institute, & Founder - The Business Doctor | Empowering Business Strategist |

Registration

Opening Remarks

Global Leaders Debate, Part 1: The Future Paradigm Shift: Future Investment Opportunities to Foster Sustainable Economic Growth, Diversity, and Prosperity
As the world recovers from the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, the investment world is going through a paradigm shift that will transform the global investment landscape and investment world. The global economy is adapting to the ‘new normal’, there are many factors that accelerate the new paradigm. This session will focus on how disruptive technologies, climate change and geopolitical tensions as well as the pandemic are all factors that the economy is faced with.
Panelists:
- Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UNCTAD
- Antonio Pedro, Acting Secretary General, Economic Commission for Africa
- H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department for Economic Development
- Khalid Ali Al-Ruwaigh, CEO, Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (Apicorp)
Antonio Pedro Acting Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa |
Khalid Ali Al-Ruwaigh Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP) Chief Executive Officer |

Fireside Chat

Global Leaders Debate, Part 2: The Future Paradigm Shift: Future Investment Opportunities to Foster Sustainable Economic Growth, Diversity and Prosperity
As the world recovers from the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, the investment world is going through a paradigm shift that will transform the global investment landscape and investment world. The global economy is adapting to the ‘new normal’, there are many factors that accelerate the new paradigm. This session will focus on how disruptive technologies, climate change and geopolitical tensions as well as the pandemic are all factors that the economy is faced with.
Panelists:
- Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General, Arab League
- Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Secretary General, Africa Caribbean Pacific (OACPS)
- Sergio Diaz-Grandos G., Executive President, Development Bank of Latin America
- Ray Dalio, Founder, Bridgewater Associates

AIM Global 2023 Opening Ceremony

Lunch & Networking Break

Future Cities: Digital Transformation: Integrating Innovative Technologies
After a decade of disruption, this session explores how digital transformation has impacted future cities and how we navigate going forward. What major trends are affecting business and investment, and what needs to be done. With innovative technology on the rise, we need to understand where the next wave of technology and disruption is coming from and how this will impact the market.
Moderator:
Ms. Valeria Brusnikina, Portfolio Manager of IT projects - the IPChain Association, Deputy General Director - n'RIS, General Director - FONMIX, & Director for Development - the Russian Union of Right-holders.
Ms. Valeria Brusnikina Portfolio Manager of IT projects - the IPChain Association, Deputy General Director - n'RIS, General Director - FONMIX, & Director for Development - the Russian Union of Right- |
H.E. Sergey Cheremin Minister of Moscow City Government Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow |
Jawad J. Abbassi Head of MENA, GSMA |
Steve Severance Director of Growth – Masdar City |
Gareth Presch World Health Innovation Summit Founder and CEO |
Dr. Mengsha Tan Founder & Chairwoman - Mensa Group |
Alexander Pinsky Director for International Activities of Sitronics Group |

Start-ups: Contributing to Economic Growth
Start-ups are a catalyst for economic growth locally and globally. They are needed to boost the economy with the help of innovative technologies. Economies are more likely to stay ahead with new opportunities and ideas. We will be Exploring the power of data and insights to promote start-up ecosystems. Start-ups need to ensure sustainability is at the forefront of their policies. Understanding what the regional indicators are and what value this adds to both the economy and portfolio. Securing investments after economic downturn.
Moderator:
Waheed Qaiser, Chairman, Pairstech Capital Management
Waheed Qaiser Chairman, Pairstech Capital Management |
Gilbert Ewehmeh Continental Coordinator, Accelerate Africa |
Elodie Robin Head of Growth & Strategy, Hub71 |
Suleiman Amin Acting Managing Director - Catalyst |
Numan Numan Founder and Managing Director, 212 |
Abdul Basit Qayed Principal, Dubai Future District Fund |
Dr. Kim J. Zietlow Director FDI Center |
Baybars Altuntas Executive Chairman, World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) |

Panel Discussion: SMEs - Movers & Shapers: Boosting Opportunities for Women in Trade (She Trade - ITC)
Session Objective: The panel session aims to showcase key industrial insights and best practices to advance women’s economic empowerment in various sectors. The session aims to inspire transformative action from private and public section to address the gap in the economic opportunities for women.
Moderator: Anna Zaleski Mori, Programme Officer – SheTrades Initiative, International Trade Centre
Ms. Anna Zaleski Mori Partnerships and Programme Manager, ITC SheTrades |
H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei CEO - Khalifa Fund |
Carl Manlan Visa Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa Vice President, Inclusive Impact & Sustainability |
Christina Struller de Costa, Vice President, Corporate Affairs - ISMEA, UPS |

SME: Scaling the Technology Market and Implementing Technological Solutions
Innovative technologies are not only shaping everyday life but is one of the main factors for economic growth. With constant new technologies on the horizon, which ones do you take forward and which ones will impact your business the most? This session explores the SMEs technology market, looks at what businesses can achieve through digitalization, how digital transformation affects the expansion of SMEs in international markets and offers insights into building a digital architecture.
Moderator:
Jane Thomson, Founder – Supernova Data, Interim Chair – World Metaverse Council (Forbes 2018 & Top 20 Global Thought Leaders in Crypto (Thinkers 360))
Jane Thomson Founder – Supernova Data, Interim Chair – World Metaverse Council (Forbes 2018 & Top 20 Global Thought Leaders in Crypto (Thinkers 360)) |
Dr. Krunoslav Ris Chief Executive Officer - Lumen Spei LTD & Digital Transformation Consultant |
Sebastiano Toffaletti Secretary General (CEO) - European Digital SME Alliance, Chairman - European Cybersecurity Organization, Board Member - European Internet Forum, & Board Member ETSI (M) |
Mohamed Aboulnaga Nagaty Executive Chairman – Exits MENA, Founder/CEO – Pie, CoFounder of Halan, & Partner/Co-Founder – Cashcows |
Heesuk Ricky Kang Head of Business – Naver Z (ZEPETO) |
Jawad J. Abbassi Head of MENA, GSMA |
Daniele Schiliro Associate Professor – University of Messina |

Close of Conference Day 1

AIM Investment Awards 2023 and Gala Dinner

Registration & Breakfast Networking

MC Welcome Remarks Opening Ceremony - China Top 50 Unicorns

Panel Discussion: Sustainable Development & Social Value Creation in a City Context (In Partnership with Expo City Dubai)
What do you do after delivering the most diverse and sustainable World Expo in history? With the team behind Expo 2020 Dubai already preparing to host COP28 in 2023, we find out what it takes to transition from a megaevent to a future city built for purposeful living. Twice the size of Monaco, Expo City Dubai is leading the way to becoming a clean, green, innovation-driven city of the future and a blueprint for sustainable urban planning. This panel will address what it takes to create a purpose-built city and a livable city for its community.
Moderator:
Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham, MC, Moderator, Media Coach & CEO - RME Media & Communications
Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham Moderator, Media Coach & CEO - RME Media & Communications |
Dina Storey Senior Director - UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators |
Oliver Kraft Executive Vice President Sustainable Communities - Siemens |
Nadia Verjee Expo Dubai Group Executive Director |
Matt Brown Chief Sustainability Officer – Expo City Dubai |

Opening Ceremony: Arab China Unicorn Investment Conclave
Dr. Wissam Fattouh Secretary General Union of Arab Banks (TBC) |
Mariam Gao General Secretary of Arab China Unicorn Investment Conclave, Organizer GDIS |
H.E. Fatou Haidara Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) |

Unicorns: Urban Connectivity in Turbulent Times
When it comes to operating in an uncertain economic climate, Unicorns are of the entities facing a lot of challenges. As the world is recovering, one thing for sure is that we are living in increasingly turbulent times. These unprecedented times require us to assess current situations which will define the pathway in the coming years. For many startups, hitting unicorn status is a big item on the bucket list. However, as the tech industry continues to slow, so too has the number of new unicorns emerging.
As the contours of post turbulent times start to take shape, there has been uncertainties in the future of Unicorns specialized in future cities. This in turn will transform how businesses operate and set their policies including climate change and diversity. Are disruption and uncertainty the ‘new normal’ and how do we adjust?
Moderator: Romanna Dada, Head of Ventures -PWc Middle East
Walid Mansour CEO - Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) |
Mohamed Salah Oman Programs Manager - Brinc |
Kareem Elsirafy Managing Partner – Modus |
Mansoor Madhavji Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund and LP at Loyal VC & Draper Goren HolmAntek |
Antek Kałuża Creative Director - Econverse & Vice President of Warsaw Startup Club. |
Marianna Bulbuc CEO & MP of Bizzmosis Group |
Sean He Founder – Silicon Harbour Capital |

Unicorns Pitch Presentation – Unicorns from China will showcase their Top Innovation Projects and pitch their growth plans and potential for investors.

Presentation: WUXI City Fund Park

Awarding Ceremony for Top China Unicorn “UNICORNS SOCIAL IMPACT AWARDS” Recognizing Partners, Sponsors, and the Top Technology Solution Providers from UAE and China and the Best Investment Opportunities in Technology

Constructing Visions for the Future of Smart Cities (In partnership with We Go)
At AIM Global 2023, the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) will be organizing an Interactive High-Level Dialogue on “Constructing Visions for the Future of Smart Cities,” gathering mayors and experts who will be sharing their visions and progress towards building future cities involving smart innovation in the city environment, specifically taking into consideration the values and goals of sustainability, inclusivity and human-centeredness. The session will provide the timely opportunity for mayors, city and state representatives, international organizations, and business actors to identify the growing trends in digital innovations and smart initiatives for solving urban challenges and for building smart future cities. The invited high-level speakers will be encouraged to elaborate on their visions for cities of the future and the importance of aligning the values and goals of sustainability, inclusivity and human-centeredness with the construction of current and future cities. The session is open to all stakeholders at all levels, the dialogue is expected to facilitate synergies and areas of collaboration at a multi-level, multi-sector scale.
Opening Remarks/Congratulatory Remarks:
- Jung Sook Park, Secretary-General – WeGO
- H.E Omar Al Nuaimi, Director General of Corporate Affairs at the Department of Municipalities & Transport (DMT)
- Shin Hawn Oh, Deputy Mayor of Seoul - South Korea
Moderator: Eunbyul Cho, Head of Program Department - WeGO
Eunbyul Elena Cho WeGo Head of Program Department |
Hermenegildo Gualberto CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION Mayor - San Fernando La Union |

Unicorns: Global Economic Outlook – Forecasting the Investment Market
Offering a timely look at the global investment market and the impact on SMEs and future cities. Recent trends and technologies around the globe have given a boost to enable start-ups to move forward and contribute to the success of future cities. From infrastructure to innovation: what are the trends around the globe? Boosting the economy by creating an environment for start-ups.
Moderator: Omar Hamada, CEO & Founder, Tick & Talk
Omar Hamada Moderator: Founder & CEO – Tick & Talk |
Mehdi Fichtali Founder and CEO of FinaMaze |
Mahmod Shamsi Head of Business Development - Startup Blink |
Rodrigo Garca De La Cruz Founder & CEO – Finnovating |
Nitan Pathak Senior Head of Unit, Institutional Client Relationship - European Investment Fund |
Bruce Armstrong Aspen Medical Group Chief Executive Officer |
Ge Jun TOJOY SHARED HOLDING GROUP CEO - TOJOY Shared Holding Group |
Wang Shaojie Zhong Guancun private Equity & Venture Capital Association President – Zhong Guancun Private Equity & Venture Capital Association |

Trends in the UAE Shaping the Future of Innovation (In Partnership With Hub 71)
This panel session will address the UAE's entrepreneurial ecosystem, highlighting government support, the diverse sources of capital, in addition to access to market and talent. The panel will also discuss the role of collaboration, mentorship, and education in addition to the challenges facing founders who are looking to raise capital, and opportunities to advance innovation.
Moderator: H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Middle East Chairman - Edelman
Ahmad Ali Alwan Deputy CEO - Hub71 |

Building a Unicorn
Currently there are over 550 Unicorn companies worldwide – which is less than 1% of start-ups. What do investors look for when investing in start-ups and how do you ensure success?
Moderator:
Mohit Bhasin, Partner, KPMG
Mohit Bhasin KPMG Partner, Global Co-Lead of Economic Growth Practice |
Chirag Gupta Managing Partner at 8X Ventures |
Andrew Urey ARC Capital Ltd Senior Advisor |
Harish Consul Founder, President & CEO, Ocgrow Ventures |
Dr. Asher Hasan doctHERs and NAYA JEEVAN Founder and Executive Chairman of Naya Jeevan, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of doctHERs |
Jan Bartkowiak Founder & President – Econverse |
Malachi Halliday CEO & Founder – Halliday Growth |
Vianney Mathonnet Partner - Africa Modus Focused Fund |

Closing Remarks

Desert Gala Dinner Cultural Entertainment Activities Networking with Top Investors (By Invitation Only)

Innovation & Technology Track: MC Opening Remarks

Fireside Side: SMEs: Sustainable Climate Finance Initiative: A new approach to finance sustainable infrastructure and agriculture projects in emerging economies (In Partnership with R20, Pegasus & Gold Standard)
Significant financial resources are needed to mitigate and adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate. The blended finance approach aims to catalyze private investment for sustainable development and create impact at scale to close the climate finance gap. The session will showcase how blended finance can have a strong role in driving climate change mitigation and adaptation. Panelists will share ideas on how to unlock, mobilize, and de-risk private capital at scale for climate resilient infrastructure and sustainable agriculture, while generating market returns. Technical assistance and capacity-building can further serve to incubate projects and de-risk private sector investment in a pipeline of investible business models that generate measurable environmental, social and economic impact as part of this approach.
The Session will feature real-life examples of such blended finance vehicles such as the Subnational Climate Fund. Through the innovative consortium that brings together Pegasus Capital Advisors, Gold Standard, R20 and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), SCF is designed to direct finance where it is most needed, manage unforeseen negative impact in a transparent way, and deliver genuine sustainable impact that is both measured and independently verified. The panelists will discuss specificities of these type of funds and opportunities for replication and scaling up. It will also showcase hands-on examples of high-impact projects and platforms with market-based solutions to scale and deliver positive impact in a sustainable way.
Interviewer:
David Albertani, CEO - R20
Interviewee:
David Cogut, Partner - Pegasus Capital Advisors
David Albertani CEO - R20 |
David Cogut Pegasus Partner - Pegasus Capital Advisors |

Digital Economies: Implementing Industry 4.0 – Developing the Right Tools and Platforms
Digital transformation is at the forefront of projects and identifying the most impactful technologies will give you a head start in investments. The market for Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to double over the next 5 years. Companies that have invested in digitalization have proven more resilient to global changes. This session takes a deep dive into the best use of new technologies and innovative technologies to look out for.
Moderator:
Rabih Farhat, Founder & Managing Partner – Related Inc.
Rabih Farhat Related Managing Director |
Mustapha Zaouini Fliptin Startup Studio | Ai in Africa Venture Builder | Entrepreneur | Change Maker |
Dr. Giovanni Zazzerini Secretary General – International Network for SMEs |
Padmini Gupta CEO & Co-Founder – Xare |
Davide Giribaldi Head of GRC & Information Security – Swiss Cyber Com |
Sherif ELMASRY Founder and CEO – Maverika & Chief Commercial Officer and Partner – Macber |
Lorenzo Saa CSO - Clairty AI |
Ibtisam Al Saadi Departmant of Economic Development Industrial Development Head |

SMEs: Navigating Investments in the International Landscape, and the Adaptation to Evolving Needs and Expectations: SMEs Investment Challenges and Opportunities
In recent years, investments in international landscape have become more complex as the world responds to recent events. Whilst economies have tightened their rules and introduced new measures, it is vital to keep on track of economies worldwide. This session discusses the main sectors which attract SMEs investments worldwide, the geographical map of SMEs investments in 2023/2025 – Investments’ destinations, the most challenging/disabling and the most enabling markets for SMEs investments worldwide in 2023/2024.
Moderator:
Dr. Hanan El Basha, Director Qatar & GCC – Founder Institute, & Founder - The Business Doctor | Empowering Business Strategist.
Dr. Hanan El Basha Director Qatar & GCC – Founder Institute, & Founder - The Business Doctor | Empowering Business Strategist |
Dr. Jyothi Devakumar Healthspan Action Coalition (Director) and Purusha Venture labs (CEO and Founder) |
Luca Lazzaroli Portfolio Management and Monitoring Directorate Director General |
Ayman El Tanbouly Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer at Exits MENA |
Jason Channell Managing Director & head of Sustainable Finance – Citi Global Insights |
Shameem Ahsan President, Venture Capital & Private Equity Association of Bangladesh (VCPEAB) |
Amier Alawadhi Masdar City Acting Head – Masdar City Free Zone |

Lunch Break and Networking

SMEs: 2023 Trends – Implementing Smart Business, Innovation, Inclusivity and Sustainability through Future Cities
Cities today are faced with environmental, social and economic challenges so how do we move them to become smart, resilient, sustainable and inclusive? One of the 2023/2024 SMEs trends is the role of SMEs in building future cities and the integration of SMEs in future cities trends. SMEs are competing to offer innovative services within future cities, through providing solutions to socio-economic problem, as: optimizing transportation flows, real time city information, designing urban planning projects, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This session discusses the new trends and tracks of investment for SMEs, among which are the Smart Cities track. where a lot of SMEs are directing their investments to what is called smart businesses and digital technologies to serve the development of the smart cities.
Moderator:
Anna Tutova, CEO - Coinstelegram
Anna Tutova CEO - Coinstelegram |
Shadi Atshan Leaders International General Director |
Rachel Soomee Cho Meissa Chief Business Officer (CBO) |
Miguel Eiras Antunes Deloitte Public Sector, Infrastructures, Transportation & Regional Government, Central Europe Leader, & Smart Cities & Urban Transformation, Global Leader – Deloitte |
Karim Gad Country Focal Point – Deutsch Investitionen für Beschäftigung (Investing for Employment – IFE Germany) Country Focal Point – Deutsch Investitionen für Beschäftigung (Investing for Employment – IFE Germany) |
Ahella El Saban Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Exits MENA |

Future Cities: Tapping into New Technologies and Navigating Transformational Technologies of the Future
Embracing digital transformation not only helps businesses become more innovative, they will lead the way in the success of future cities. We need to harness the potential for innovative technologies to transform cities, and implement them into current projects. A deep understanding of how business models work is needed in order to remain agile and resilient.
Moderator:
Carlo Ratti, Director of the Senseable City Laboratory at MIT and a leading expert on the intersection of technology and urban development
Panelists:
- Saurabh Verma, ICT Senior Director. Frost & Sullivan
- Xhoana Merkaj, COO, Xh&M Construction Group
- Dan Hu, Vice President at Tencent Cloud International for MENA Region, Tencent
- Marcel Sebastian Ionescu, Co-founder & CTO, TRAC Consulting
- Steve Severance, Director of Growth – Masdar City
- Badr Burshaid, Chairman - Global Project Management
Carlo Ratti Director of the Senseable City Laboratory at MIT and a leading expert on the intersection of technology and urban development |
Saurabh Verma Frost & Sullivan Senior Director, ICT Practice |
Xhoana Merkaj Executive Director, Xh&M Group |
Dan Hu Tencent Cloud International Vice President for Middle East and Africa, Tencent Cloud International |
Marcel Sebastian Ionescu Co-founder & CTO - TRAC Consulting |
Steve Severance Masdar City Director of Growth, Head of Program Management and Marketing |
Badr Burshaid Chairman - Global Project Management |
Ali Eslami CEO, AXL Electric Vehicles Inc, Canada |

Start-up Pillar: Awards Ceremony

Close of Annual Investment Meeting 2023

ASEAN Centrality: Innovating Towards Greater Inclusivity
Investing to the New Epicenter of Global Growth: ASEAN
The Varying Economic Size, diverse markets, and fast-moving population of Southeast Asia present tremendous opportunities for global investors. The 10 economies are growing massively in the last decades supported by regional vision under the ASEAN umbrella. The recent developments in multiple sectors namely digital economy, sustainable energy, and high-tech industry attract international eyes to see ASEAN as the future base of global growth. How would ASEAN grow in the upcoming years, and in what ways global investors may tap into the opportunities to be part of this highly promising regional growth?
The ASEAN region was among the fastest-growing regions in 2022 and is expected to remain so in 2023. This year, under Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN and the theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, Indonesia will direct its efforts to strengthen ASEAN cooperation and capacity to respond to regional and global challenges.
Through the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) as the leading voices of Southeast Asia business, Indonesia’s Chairmanship has set up the priority, agenda, and legacy of ASEAN-BAC’s regional policy reforms, with a focus on digital transformation, sustainable development, health resilience, trade and investment facilitation, and food security. Find out how your businesses may contribute to a stronger regional economic integration.
M. Arsjad Rasjid P.M. Chairman of ASEAN Business Advisory Council and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) |
Clayton Allen Wenas Vice Chairman for Investment KADIN Indonesia and CEO of PT Freeport Indonesia |
Dr. Aladdin D. Rillo Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) |
Steven Marcelino CEO & Managing Partner of Equatorise Advisory UK |
Andrew Naylor Global Head of Public Policy, World Gold Council, and Supervisory Board Member, EU-ASEAN Business Council |
Kartika Candra Negara Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Dubai |
Muhammad Yusrizki Chairman for Net Zero Hub, KADIN |

Russia - Middle East: Cooperation for Economic Growth and People's Well-Being
Russia has stable economic ties with a number of Middle Eastern countries but lately, its trade, economic, and business dealings with them have been trending upwards. The increase in cooperation is resulting in a favorable investment climate and in opportunities for doing business, localizing manufacturing, and implementing large joint projects. Cooperation between Russia and Middle Eastern countries is currently intensifying in a broad range of areas, including investment activity, the development of high-tech sectors of the economy, urban development, healthcare, and social and cultural sectors. What are the countries of the Middle East region interested in today in terms of specific areas of cooperation and attracting new business partners from Russia? What opportunities for interaction have not been sufficiently tapped and have potential for development? Instead of being a barrier, can the new geopolitical challenges become an impetus to the development of relations between Russia and the countries of the Middle East, the implementation of successful joint business initiatives, and the promotion of promising mutually beneficial projects?
H.E. Maxim Reshetnikov Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation |
H.E. Sergey Cheremin Minister of Moscow City Government Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow |
Dr. Amin Al Amiri Undersecretary of Public Health Policy and the Licensing Sector, Ministry of Health and Prevention of the United Arab Emirates |
Alexander Stuglev Chairman of the Board and CEO, Roscongress Foundation |
HE Dr. Khaled Hanafy Secretary General, Union of Arab Chambers |
Vadim Lobov President, Synergy Corporation |
Dmitry Kudlay Vice President for the Implementation of New Medical Technologies, Generium |
Aleksandr Petrov Chairman of the Subcommittee on Medicines, Development of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry, Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Health Protection |
Mikhail Khomich Managing Director of VEB.RF; Director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives for Special Projects |
Elena Astapenko Director, Department of Pharmaceutical Provision and Regulation of the Circulation of Medical Devices, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation |

Middle East Regional Focus Session
The Flow of Direct Investments to the Arab Countries of the MENA Region: Reality, Opportunities, & Challenges
The Union of Arab Chambers and the Annual Investment Meeting, in cooperation with the League of Arab States and the Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain - UNIDO, are organizing a dialogue session entitled: “The Flow of Direct Investments to the Arab Countries of the MENA Region: Reality, Opportunities, & Challenges”, as a part of the activities held within the Annual Investment Meeting – AIM 2023, during the period between 8-10 May 2023, Abu Dhabi – UAE.
This is in light of the progress made by the Arab countries of the Middle East and North Africa region in reforming investment policies during the past ten years, in order to keep pace with the changes that have occurred in the forms of the global economy, and what the Corona pandemic has imposed on the supply chain and the paths that forced the world's economies to follow. However, these reforms still need to be further pursued to the sustainability phase in order to extend the benefits of investments to the region. The World Bank has forecast that the region's economies will grow by 5.5 percent in 2022, the fastest rate since 2016. However, this growth is uneven across the region, as many of its countries are still grappling with the lingering effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, additional pressures from the sharp rise in oil and food prices due to the war in Ukraine, higher global interest rates, as well as slowdowns in the economies of the United States, China, and the Eurozone.
This panel will shed the light on the investment opportunities and the Ecosystem that the region enjoys, the challenges that stand in the way of achieving them, and how to overcome these challenges by developing investment policies and carrying out appropriate economic reforms, especially for the countries which have gone through political crises, led to weakening investors' confidence in their investment ecosystem. The Union of Arab Chambers has been organizing many conferences related to investment, which is an essential part of its role as an official representative of the Arab private sector, to promote opportunities and projects available in the Arab countries and to attract investments. The outcomes of this session will be followed up by a number of events and activities that will be organized by the Union of Arab Chambers with the aim of expanding Arab and African investments.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit Secretary General of the League of Arab States |
Sameer Abdulla Nass President, Union of Arab Chambers |
H.E. Fatou Haidara Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) |
Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki Assistant Secretary General, Head of the Economic Affairs Sector, League of Arab States |
H.E Khalil El Haj Tawfiq Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jordan Chamber of Commerce |
H.E. Toufic Dabboussi President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture of Tripoli and North Lebanon |
H.E Mr. Ahmed El Wakil President of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce & President of the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) |
H.E Sadeq Hashem Fadhil Al-Mamoori Vice President of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce & President of Babylon Chamber of Commerce |
Dr Hashim Hussein Head - UNIDO ITPO Bahrain |
Dr. Khaled Hanafy Secretary General, Union of Arab Chambers |
Mounir Tabet Deputy Executive Secretary, ESCWA |
H.E Mohamed Hage President, Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
H.E. Abdulaziz Al-Mikhlafi Secretary General of the Arab German Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
H.E. Herbert Scheibner AACC Board Member & Former Minister |
Hamdi Tabbaa Chairman of Federation of Arab Businessmen |

Investment Promotion and Facilitation in African-Caribbean and Pacific Countries: State-of-play, Challenges, and Opportunities
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has long been recognized as a key driver of economic growth, prosperity, and competitiveness across countries. Particularly in the Global South, FDI has been viewed as a critical element in promoting sustainable development, given its potential to foster economic advancement. Despite this, FDI inflows have been unevenly distributed, with African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries still struggling to attract FDI. In fact, only 5% of total global FDI inflows have been recorded in ACP countries in 2021. Hence, there is great potential to enhance investment facilitation and promotion efforts, spearheaded by national and sub-national investment promotion agencies (IPAs), thereby accelerating FDI in ACP countries.
To support ACP IPAs in this undertaking and contribute towards a better understanding of their emerging strategies and technical assistance needs, WAIPA and its partner, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), conducted a joint Survey in 2022, covering 61 IPAs in total in the ACP region.
The empirical results, which will be presented in this session, highlight the most pressing challenges faced by ACP IPAs. Besides being burdened by a mandate overload and signs of budget shortcomings, ACP IPAs overwhelmingly articulated the need for technical assistance in investment targeting, monitoring and investment opportunity profiling. This need partly stems from the fact that the digitalization of most ACP IPAs is still in its infancy with only limited digitalisation capabilities and often no established digitalization strategies under implementation, although the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation more generally.
The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) play also an important role in the work of IPAs, as a large majority of their strategic plans are at least partially aligned with them. However, a significant proportion of IPAs show shortcomings in soliciting and tracking investors’ contributions especially with regard to their environmental impact or CSR, which can be problematic in a global context where corporate sustainability and environmental due diligence become increasingly relevant.
Some emerging recommendations are that ACP IPAs should explore ways to better bundle mandates, reviewing budget allocations, and incorporating a business-like structure into their respective governance models. More focus should also be placed on digital tools and related certifications, taking existing strategies into action. IPAs are also advised to focus on target sectors and align promotion efforts closer to the SDGs as well as regularly review their priority sectors to take account of market shifts and track investors’ sustainability contributions.
To further reflect on these insights, the keynote on the survey will be followed by a panel discussion, inviting Investment Promotion Agencies’ officers to critically assess these results and recommendations. Obtaining feedback from stakeholders evaluating the relevance and feasibility is crucial for the IPAs themselves but also for partners such as UNIDO and WAIPA, to better tailor future support areas to ACP IPAs.
Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti Secretary General, Sustainable Economic Transformation and Trade, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) |
Ismail Ersahin Executive Director, World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) |
H.E. Fatou Haidara Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) |
Stefan Kratzsch Team Lead, Sustainability Standards and Responsible Business Unit, Department of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), |
Courtney Fingar Editor-in-chief of Investment Monitor |
Escipión J. Oliveira Gómez Assistant Secretary General, Sustainable Economic Transformation and Trade, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS |
Andreas Dressler Managing Director of FDI Center |
Cécile Billaux Head of Unit, Micro-economic Analysis, Investment Climate, Private Sector, Trade and Employment, European Commission |
Anthony Nkinzo Kamole Managing Director of the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Investment Promotion Agency (ANAPI) |
June Chepkemei MD of Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) |

The AfCFTA Investment Protocol – An Investment Paradigm Shift for Africa
The launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in July 2019 at the 21st Extraordinary Summit of the African Union Heads of State and Government was a milestone towards creating a single continental market as set out in the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. The AfCFTA constitutes the largest free trade area in the world with a GDP of US$ 2.5 trillion, covering a market of 1.2 billion people projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and by then constituting 26 per cent of the world’s working age populationi. Through its eight protocols on Trade in Goods and Services, Free Movement of Persons, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, Competition Policy, Digital Trade and Women and Youth in Trade, the AfCFTA constitutes a new framework for attracting investment towards promoting industrialization, diversification, and inclusive development in Africa. This is achieved through increased market efficiency and reduced cost of doing business by offering opportunities for economies of scale, facilitation of trade and investment flows and by shifting the composition and direction of foreign direct investment flows into Africa.
The implementation of the AfCFTA is indeed moving forward having reached 54 Member States, with 46 of these having ratified the Agreement. On 1 January 2021, trading under the AfCFTA was launched and an initial step towards realizing the free movement of goods, services, people and capital. It has now considerably progressed with the adoption of the AfCFTA’s three Protocols on Competition, Intellectual Property Rights and Investment.
With the adoption of the AfCFTA Investment Protocol, the investment landscape in Africa is entering a new stage nested in African countries’ aspiration to foster structural transformation and encourage an effective and competitive private sector that translates into sustainable outcomes for the investment destinations. The Protocol addresses the issue of fragmented investment regulatory frameworks by dismantling different investment rules for harmonizing investment regulations and boost transboundary investment in an African Common Investment Area. Thus, all investors guided by the protocol’s common conceptualization of responsible investment would enjoy the same level of protection, benefit from improvements in the business environment, have access to investment facilities and observe identical international obligations. In other words, the Protocol will be levelling the playing field for all private sector actors, and best match Africa’s single market ambition, as the same set of rules will apply across the continent.
Levelling the playing field for transboundary investments in Africa may stimulate the creation of value chains in goods and services, promoting industrialization and economic diversification. According to ECA research, the AfCFTA will promote diversification in new industrialized sectors that support structural transformation compared to more traditional sectors such as oil and mining which will increasingly take a smaller share of the intra-African trade. ECA research estimates that intra-African trade sectors within agri-food, services and industries are expected to increase respectively with 49.1 per cent, 37.9 per cent and 35.7 per cent by 2045 as compared to a scenario without the implementation of the AfCFTA. At the sub-sectoral level, these sectors include cereals and crops, and industries such as pharmaceutical products, vehicles, and transport equipment and in services, tourism and transport are subject for notable increases in intra-African trade.
Initiatives in key sectors that support future investment opportunities that foster sustainable economic growth, diversity and prosperity include the development of an African Carbon Market through the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) which was launched at the COP27 with the long-term ambition to reach 300 million credits retired annually by 2030. Achieving such a commendable ambition could unlock US$ 6 billion in revenue, supporting 30 million jobs by 2030 and enable countries to foster value chain creation, expand energy access while driving climate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Other initiatives with significant potential to leverage the framework of the AfCFTA as a platform for investments that drive the green transition and foster economic growth is the case of the ecosystem for the battery, electric vehicles between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as well as the project of the Common Agro-industrial Park between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Zambia and DRC have signed a historical cooperation agreement to facilitate the development of value chains in the electric battery and clean energy sector enabling businesses to build regional value chains and capture more added value to their endowments in battery minerals including cobalt, copper, lithium and manganese and profit from the global transition towards green energy, electrification of transport systems and decarbonization. The Common Agro-Industrial Park (CAIP) between Zimbabwe and Zambia will leverage the two countries’ comparative advantages and develop value chains for agricultural goods such as cotton, maize, wheat, rice and dairy. The CAIP will create and strengthen linkages between industries to enhance value chain integration in the region and promote the development of industry skills and facilitate the shifting of economic activity towards higher value-added activities driving economic growth.
H.E. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria |
Antonio Pedro Acting Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa |
Stephen Karingi Director Regional Integration and Trade Divison of UNECA |
Anthony Nkinzo Kamole Managing Director of the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Investment Promotion Agency (ANAPI) |
Aly Ramji General Partner at Humanity International Investments |
Dr. Abdoulaye BALDE Director General of APIX-S.A |

The Race Is on for a Net-Zero Economy, Catalysed Through ASEAN-Gulf Corridor Links
The world is moving towards a healthier, more resilient, zero carbon world. Now that 73% of global emissions are covered by a net zero goal, countries must translate national commitments into credible policies, while every sector must undergo an exponential transformation. Solving the decarbonization challenge will create economic and societal advantages for the countries, businesses, cities, regions, investors, and communities who emerge as leaders. Within this decade, upgrading to a zero-carbon future can create 35 million more jobs and USD$26 trillion more in economic benefits compared with attempting to resuscitate the high-carbon status quo. Corporate commitments under the Race to Zero campaign now cover over 15% of the global economy and USD$ 9.81 trillion in revenue, joined by nearly 800 cities and 31 regions covering 0.62 billion people with credible climate action commitments. While significant change is already underway, it must accelerate in all areas of the economy and society in order to deliver a resilient zero carbon future in time. To win the race to zero emissions by 2050, the world must achieve near term breakthroughs across every sector of the global economy. The KADIN Indonesia published its ambition during the COP26 in Glasgow to establish Kadin Net Zero Hub which encourages Indonesian private sector to take up the mantle and commit to their net zero pledge: “To Become a Net Zero Company by 2060 at the Latest”. As we are at the midpoint to ASEAN Chairmanship 2023 and looking at how important to race the Net Zero ambition, this session will discuss how we can ensure that the Net-Zero agenda can be the spotlight, can continue the momentum, and can receive the attention it needs. This session is organised by Equatorise Advisory, in partnership with AIM and KADIN Indonesia.
Steven Marcelino CEO & Managing Partner of Equatorise Advisory UK |
Muhammad Yusrizki Chairman for Net Zero Hub, KADIN |

Regional Focus Forum for Latin America and The Caribbean Productive Development in LAC: Future Strategies
Productive development is a crucial concept for understanding economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The region has long been dependent on the export of raw materials and commodities, which can be subject to price volatility and offer limited opportunities for value-added activities. In recent years, however, many LAC countries have adopted policies and strategies to promote productive development and diversify their economies.
One of the key drivers of productive development in LAC is foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI can bring new technologies, management practices, and market access to the region, as well as stimulate local entrepreneurship and job creation. However, FDI can also be a double-edged sword, as it can lead to the exploitation of natural resources, labor, and weak institutions, which can hinder productive development.
To maximize the positive impact of FDI on productive development, it is necessary to create an enabling environment for investment. This involves a range of policies and strategies that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, human capital development, infrastructure, and access to finance. These policies should be tailored to the needs and strengths of each country and sector, as well as promote social and environmental sustainability.
In this context, the role of the public sector is crucial, as it can provide the necessary regulatory frameworks, public goods, and incentives to attract and retain productive FDI. At the same time, the private sector should play an active role in promoting innovation and competitiveness, as well as engaging in productive partnerships with the public sector and other stakeholders.
Overall, productive development and FDI attraction are closely interconnected and can reinforce each other. Productive development policies can help to create a more attractive investment climate and increase the likelihood of positive spillovers from FDI. Conversely, FDI can provide the necessary resources and capabilities to accelerate productive development and generate more sustainable and inclusive growth.
In sum, the challenge for LAC countries isto strike a balance between attracting FDI and promoting productive development, while ensuring social and environmental sustainability. The focus should be on building productive capacities, enhancing competitiveness, and creating high-quality jobs, while reducing dependence on natural resources and promoting more diversified and knowledge-intensive economies.
Maria Camila Moreno Executive Director, Free Trade Zone Association of the Americas (AZFA), Republic of Colombia |
Ignacio Corlazzoli Manager in Europe, Asia and Middle East, Latin American Development Bank (CAF), Oriental Republic of Uruguay |
Fabrizio Opertti Integration and Commerce Manager, Inter-American Development Bank, Oriental Republic of Uruguay |
Jaime Guillen Founding Partner, Mexico Infrastructure Partners, United Mexican States |
Wagner Parente CEO, BMJ Consultants, Federative Republic of Brazil |
Luis Castiglioni Minister of Industry and Commerce, Republic of Paraguay |

SADC Regional Focus Forum
Infrastructure plays a key role in economic growth and poverty reduction. Conversely, the lack of infrastructure affects productivity and raises production and transaction costs, which hinders growth by reducing the competitiveness of businesses and the ability of Governments to pursue economic and social development policies. To this end, SADC developed the SADC RIMDP as the Infrastructure Development Blueprint for the SADC Region. The RIDMP is a SADC strategic framework to guide the development of seamless, cost-effective, trans-boundary infrastructure in the region. This SADC Infrastructure Vision 2027 is anchored on five (5) pillars consisting of Energy, Transport, ICT, Meteorology and Water, which constitutes the SADC RIDMP Programme.
Currently the region has a huge infrastructure deficit characterised by insufficient energy supply, inadequate water supply, reticulation and sanitation systems, inadequate and expensive broadband networks and transport demand exceeding supply and unreliable transport services, among other deficiencies. Significant deficit in Africa’s infrastructure is resulting in increased production and transaction costs, reduced competitiveness of businesses, and negative impact on foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into the continent. This in turn, stunts socio-economic development in the continent, therefore, focusing on priority regional projects is a prerequisite to accelerate infrastructure development in the SADC Region. Therefore, regional infrastructure development in SADC creates a larger market and greater economic opportunities, and the development of infrastructure is critical for promoting and sustaining regional economic development, trade, and investment, and will contributes to poverty eradication and improved social conditions.
Despite SADC having made significant progress in regional infrastructure development, the economic transformation of the SADC region will require adequate and functioning infrastructure that will guide the region towards front-loading industrialisation in the context of evolving technologies. This means that the Infrastructure Development in support of Regional Integration will aim towards interconnected, integrated, and quality seamless infrastructure and networks, including cross-border infrastructure, which will be pivotal in facilitating the movement of people, goods, services, and knowledge. As a result, in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan – (RISDP 2020-2050) and Vision 2050, priority is also placed on ensuring harmonised policies, strategies, and initiatives in support of cross-border infrastructure and services.
Estimates by the African Development Bank place the African continent’s infrastructure needs at US$130 billion to US$170 billion a year, with an annual financing gap of between US$67.6 and $107.5 billion. The SADC region would make up about one-quarter of this financing gap (around US$30 billion to US$40 billion per year). This is also aggravated by the fact that SADC governments’ public finances are insufficient to address the infrastructure deficit without external financial inputs, notably from the private sector. For many years the SADC has been trying to close this gap but has been constrained by regional challenges, as well as by limited capacity to mobilize capital and limitations on human and technical resources.
The SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (2012 - 2027) guides development in key infrastructure such as energy, ICT, road, rail, and ports, and acts as a framework for planning and cooperation with development partners and the private sector. The SADC Infrastructure development agenda is also aligned with the African Union's Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and constitute a key input into the Inter-Regional Infrastructure Master Plan and the tripartite Free Trade Area of SADC, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC).
The Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan contains ambitious targets, but the SADC region is embarking on the fundamental task of creating an enabling environment by delivering infrastructure requirements by 2027 to facilitate the realisation of sustainable regional socio-economic development and integration within the framework of the SADC Infrastructure Vision 2027. Key to closing SADC’s infrastructure gap require experimenting with new models of project delivery and SADC needs to expand the availability of project preparation financing and attract new sources of capital. Some of the key attributes to achieve this include:
- Availability of a pipeline of bankable projects;
- Financial sustainability of project funding;
- Partnership with private sector in infrastructure development;
- Adoption of the user pays principle
Investments at Member States level is critical in supporting implementation of the identified projects as implementation of regional projects is at country level. Some of the vehicles SADC has used to prepare regional infrastructure projects include:
- SADC Project Preparation Development Facility (SADC PPDF);
- Infrastructure Investment Programme for South Africa (IIPSA);
- NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD IPPF);
- DBSA Project Preparation Funding (DBSA PPF);
- Southern African Power Pool Project Accelerating Unit;
- Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development Facility (CRIDF);
- SADC Water Fund;
As the world recovers from the pandemic, the investment world is going through a paradigm shift that will transform the capital markets and investment world. The global economy is adapting to the ‘new normal’, there are many factors that accelerate the new paradigm. Disruptive technologies, climate change and geopolitical tensions as well as the pandemic are all factors that the economy is faced with. Big economic downturns in China and Russia have resulted in inflation becoming more widespread globally and much higher than expected. With hopes of inflation easing, there is evidence that it will remain at high levels, and this will limit further growth and put pressure on costs. This will lead to triggering tighter financial conditions, making access to investment finance for SMEs and FDI much more difficult.
FDI is on the rise again with digital technologies and sustainability as the main drivers for success. To stay ahead, companies need to accelerate the development of their digital services and technological innovations. 2021 saw a significant increase in FDI which reached US$1.6 trillion as it bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. The global environment for international investment has been affected by the current geo-political tensions which has a domino effect on supply chains. The need for investment in Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) and inclusivity is paramount to the success of FDI. The rising costs of food and energy prices has seen companies reduce demand and diversify supplies of energy. This is in turn creates a major crisis but also creates opportunities for technology and innovation.
The geopolitical tensions and war have seen major effects on commodity markets, supply chains, inflation, and financial conditions have steepened the slowdown in economic growth. As the last 20 years, the rise of globalization, current factors have highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains.
Angela Pretorius Chairperson of the SADC Investment Subcommittee |
Keletsositse Olebile CEO Botswana Investment and Trade Center (BITC) |
RAKOTOMALALA Lantosoa Chairperson Economic Development Board of Madagascar |
Issa Mohamad Soormally Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, Economic Development Board Mauritius (EDB) |
Eng. Edvan Moyo Programme Officer Energy, SADC Secretariat |
Tafadzwa Chinamo CEO Zimbabwe Investment & Development Agency (ZIDA) |
Stella Chimwemwe Ng’oma Stella Chimwemwe Ng’oma, Director Investment Promotion and Facilitation, Malawi. |
Anne Rosette CEO Seychelles Investment Board |
Calicious Tutalife, Ag. Director Industrial Development and Trade, SADC Secretariat |
Aly Ramji General Partner at Humanity International Investments |
Rashed Al Teneiji Director of Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Economy - UAE |

Opening remarks

Setting the scene: World Local Production Forum: Enhancing access to medicines and other health technologies
Dr. Jicui Dong World Health Organization Unit Head, Local Production and Assistance Unit |

Panel discussion: “Navigating the path forward in improving access with collective action after the WLPF”
Heran Borta Director General, Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority |
Prof. Frederick Abbott Prof. of Law and Consultant, Florida State University College of Law |
David Woo Local Production and Assistance Unit, WHO |
Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei The Executive Director of Research and Innovation Center, Department of Health Abu Dhabi, UAE |

Presentation: Driving innovation and Industry 4.0 in local production to improve access
Jason Wang Director of Intl. Public Affairs, Sales & Marketing Division, SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |

Panel discussion: “Investing in innovation and technology transfers to improve access and health”
Dr. Rahman Rustan PT Biopharma, Indonesia |
Dr. Jyothi Devakumar Healthspan Action Coalition (Director) and Purusha Venture labs (CEO and Founder) |

Q&A Closing remarks from the Chair
Dr. Jicui Dong World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland Unit Head, Local Production and Assistance Unit, Regulation and Prequalification Department, Access to Medicines and Health Products |
Make It in The Emirates: Emerging Opportunities and Industrial Growth
The Panel Session will highlight the investment opportunities in various industrial sectors and the impact of the UAE's economic diversification strategy on local industries.
H.E. Osama Amir Fadhel Assistant Undersecretary of Industrial Accelerator Sector, Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology |
Eng. Arafat Al Yafei Executive Driector, IDB |
Andreas Dressler Managing Director of FDI Center |
Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi CEO, Emirates Development Bank |
Ramy Jallad CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone |

Welcome Remarks
Jon Moore CEO, BNEF |

BNEF Talk: Commodities in a Low Carbon Economy
The transition to a low carbon economy will see a dynamic shift in demand for traditional commodities such as oil, gas and metals. Newer commodities like power, carbon, hydrogen and even sustainable aviation fuels will see their landscape change with the net-zero trajectory of both companies and countries. BNEF will present its view on what to expect from the various commodities and energy markets that can move and accelerate the energy transition.
Ashish Sethia Head of Commodities, Energy & Environmental Markets – BNEF |

Fireside chat: Clean Electrons vs Clean Molecules – What’s the Next Move?
Traditional oil and gas companies dominate the energy markets today and are paving the way for the next generation of “clean energy molecules”. But the dawn of renewable energy and the prospect of electrification of transport and industry bring into question the role of “clean electorns”. What lies ahead for the heavyweight energy producers of the Middle East? Approaching COP28, focus will be on how energy companies, producing nations and energy consuming powerhouses chart their next moves – what is ADNOC’s?
Ibrahim N. Al-Zu’bi SVP, Sustainability & Climate, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) |
Fauziah Marzuki Head of APAC Gas, Power & Carbon – BNEF |

BNEF Talk: Transition Pathways and the Way Forward for the Middle East
Net zero commitments can only take the world so far. BNEF will present the results of its New Energy Outlook report and the various net-zero pathways that can emerge for countries and sectors. The Middle East is uniquely placed to also play a role in supporting the pathways of other nations.
Emma Champion Head of Regional Energy Transitions – BNEF |

COP28: Net-Zero Commitments and the Evolving Energy Trade Flows
Net-zero plans of action by major economies are going to change energy flows. Industrial competitive advantages could shift or be disrupted. New policies – such as CABM – will restructure existing supply chains. How can key stakeholders manage this evolution in trade flows along with meeting their energy transition goals?
Antoine Vagneur-Jones Head of Trade and Supply Chains – BNEF |
Ashwani Dudeja President & Director (Green Hydrogen & Ammonia), ACME Group |

BNEF Talk: Making Hydrogen and CCUS Work for the Transition // Scaling Technologies of the Energy Transition
Clean fuels like hydrogen and carbon capture and storage are touted as anchor technologies for various sectors to successfully achieve deep decarbonization. BNEF will present on what is ‘hype’ and what is ‘reality’ in terms of the hydrogen outlook. Also laying out which sectors will see the biggest uptake of CCUS and what new, emerging climate technologies the industry should be watching for.
Adithya Bhashyam Associate – Hydrogen, BloombergNEF |

Networking Lunch

BNEF Talk: Decarbonization Strategies of the New Age Energy Companies
Traditional oil and gas companies are becoming enablers of the energy transition as they transition themselves. BNEF will present on the key trends emerging across both international and national oil companies in terms of decarbonization of operations, clean energy investments and strategic alignment to net-zero trajectories.
Philip Geurts Oil Analyst, BloombergNEF |

Future of Downstream & Petrochemicals: Maximizing Value from the Barrel of Tomorrow
As the landscape for oil and petrochemicals demand changes, existing producers need to make their assets and products “transition-ready”. How are companies shifting their business models to be aligned with the energy transition while ensuring the best commercial value for products and existing assets? Customers say they want “greener products”, but will the demand materialize? What are the biggest hurdles downstream/petrochemical producers are going to face in the next five years and how will they overcome it?
Sisi Tang Head of Downstream Oil and Petrochemicals, BloombergNEF |
Andreas de Vries Head of Downstream Strategy and Sustainability, Saudi Aramco |
Friedrich Danzinger Vice President OMV Downstream MEA JV Management |
Mustafa Alshehri Director of Sustainability and ESG, SABIC |

BNEF Talk: A Renewed Focus on Renewable Fuels
Renewable fuels are becoming a key pillar for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, heavy duty trucking and heating. Demand for drop-in fuels continues to rise as corporates sign long term off-take agreements to secure supply from future projects. But supply is still limited as technologies try to scale and policy catches up. This BNEF Talk will be about what’s driving renewable fuels growth and where they might come from next.
Jade Patterson Renewable Fuels, Senior Analyst, BloombergNEF |

Financiers Making the Transition Happen
Investment in low-carbon energy supply increased by 15% in 2022 to $550 billion – the fastest growth rate since 2015, according to BloombergNEF’s annual Energy Transition Investment Trends report. Yet to meet climate goals, BNEF analysis shows that the ratio of investment in low-carbon energy supply to fossil fuels needs to increase from the current 1:1 to a minimum of 4:1 by the end of the decade. This means that in 2030, for each dollar invested in fossil-fuel energy supply, at least four would need to be invested in low-carbon energy sources. The challenge is massive, but so is the opportunity. So what does recent financing activity say about how the banking community is poised to capture the growth?
Jonas Rooze Sustainability and Climate Research – BNEF / Will Young |

Financing: What’s the Role of the Finance Industry in Accelerating the Energy Transition?
Ramping up to a minimum 4:1 ratio of low-carbon energy supply to fossil fuels investment requires huge and rapid growth in clean power, grid infrastructure, new clean fuel producing assets, and more. Enabling this will require many things, but not least among them will be access to finance – the channeling of funds where they need to go and where they can have the greatest impact. What is the role of different financial institutions in the transition? How will they use and grow financial markets to work towards it?
Jonas Rooze Sustainability and Climate Research – BNEF / Will Young |
Zoë Knight Group Head of the HSBC Centre of Sustainable Finance and Head of Climate Change MENAT, HSBC |
Shargiil Bashir Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Vice President, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) |
Emmanuel Givanakis Chief Executive Officer, Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market |
Vijay Bains Chief Sustainability Officer, Emirates NBD Bank |

BNEF Talk: The Past, Present & Future of Carbon Offsets
Voluntary carbon offsets are often considered the black sheep of emission reduction strategies, but they are essential for companies to reach their net-zero goals. With offsets spanning global nature-based and technology-based solutions, the investment opportunity in the market is becoming more prominent, as are the market’s risks. Demand is surging even before the necessary frameworks have been put in place for the market to grow sustainably. Depending on how suppliers react and decide to navigate an increasingly complex web of initiatives and frameworks created to standardize and potentially bifurcate the market, the price of offsets could rise significantly, valuing the market at $1 trillion annually by the mid 2030s. What role can the MENA region play in this market?
Layla Khanfar Carbon Offsets & Corporate Sustainability Analyst, BloombergNEF |

Closing remarks
Dana Perkins Head of EMEA, BloombergNEF |

Opening Remarks
H.E. James Zhan Executive Director, UNCTAD World Investment Forum |
Basmah Al Mayman UNWTO Regional Director for Middle East, UNWTO |
Dawood Al Shezawi President, Annual Investment Meeting |
Mr. Rashed Al Teneiji Director of Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Economy - UAE |

Keynote speech and setting the scene (video message)
Natalia Bayona Director, Innovation, Education and Investments, UNWTO |

Setting the scene: UNWTO’s Tourism Investment Vision and Activities
Miguel Angel Figueroa Calsina Investment Principal, Innovation, Education and Investments, UNWTO |

High-Level Panel Session: - Investing in People - Investing in Planet - Investing in Prosperity
Sri.K.S.Srinivas IAS Principal Secretary, Fisheries & Tourism |
Nicolas Mayer Global Tourism Leader, PWC Global Tourism & Hospitality Center of Excellence |
Adrian Artimov Vice-President & Co-Head of Enrolment Sommet Education, Glion Institute of Higher Education I Les Roches Global Hospitality Education I Ecole Ducasse |
Jordan Bray Plug And Play Vice President and UEA Director, Plug and Play |
Peter Mihaly Janech Coordinator, Word Tourism Organization |
Sarah Payne Director of Impact, Reset Tourism Fund |
YUANYUAN TANG Vice President, Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting |
Radhika Arapally Founder, Sustainability Kiosk, Sustainability Advisor for Anantara Dubai The Palm & Anantara World Islands, Minor Hotels |

Closing remarks

Opening Ceremony & Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Wissam H. Fattouh Secretary General - Union of Arab Banks |
Mohamed El Etriby Chairman – Union of Arab Banks |
Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi President of Annual Investment Meeting - UAE |
H.E. Ahmed Aboulgheit Secretary General – Leagues of Arab States |

Panel Discussion: Digital Transformation of Financial Sectors in the Arab World and the Role of Financial Technology in Economic Diversification
As the world becomes increasingly digital, financial services are also rapidly transforming to keep up with the changing times, the Arab world has been witnessing a significant shift towards the digital transformation of its financial services sector, it outlines the key drivers, challenges, and opportunities that are shaping the digital transformation of the financial services industry in this region and It provides an overview of the current state of the industry, highlighting the progress made so far as well as the gaps that still need to be addressed. This session highlights the key opportunities and challenges of Digital Transformation in the financial sector within the Arab World.
H.E. Su Xing Secretary General, Organizing Committee of the Boao Summit Forum on World Financial Firm Technology, People’s Republic of China |
Anwer Kotob Chief Digital/Technology Officer, People Leader, UAE |
Mr. Hossam Heiba General Authority for Investment and Free Zones |
Mehdi Fichtali Founder and CEO of FinaMaze |
Padmini Gupta CEO & Co-Founder – Xare |
Malachi Halliday CEO & Founder – Halliday Growth |
Rodrigo Garca De La Cruz Founder & CEO – Finnovating |
Mustapha Zaouini CEO, Fliptin |

Panel Discussion: Emerging investment opportunities in light of Arab economic transformations and the policies adopted for economic diversification and the contribution of international financial and banking institutions
The Financial Services sector is an important component of a well-diversified portfolio. The sector encompasses a large group of companies including mega banks, regional banks, assets, managers, custody, banks, consumer finance companies, transactions and payment processors, securities, brokerage firms, and insurers. Financials make up a significant portion of the overall GDP and are extremely important in ensuring the economy functions efficiently. Playing such an integral role in the lives of consumers businesses and institutions, financial services companies should be a key component of investors’ portfolios. This session shall discuss the emerging investment opportunities within an economically diversified environment.
Mrs. Maryia Spartalis International Speaker and Financial Influencer |
Hani Idris Regional Manager/CEO – International Development Bank |
Mohamed Aboulnaga Nagaty Executive Chairman – Exits MENA, Founder/CEO – Pie,CoFounder of Halan, & Partner/Co-Founder – Cashcows |
Ahmad Tabbara Director-Fundraising and Ventrues, Monty Holding, UAE |
Basil Moftah General Partner - Nclude |

Masterclass: Financial Inclusion and the Role of Emerging Technologies – The Rise of Fintech and its Impact on the Traditional Financial System
Financial inclusion refers to the process of providing access to financial services such as credit, savings, and insurance to those who are excluded from traditional banking systems. These people typically belong to low-income groups, women, rural residents, and other marginalized sections of society. Financial inclusion is a crucial tool for poverty reduction and economic development. Emerging technologies play a significant role in expanding financial inclusion by offering innovative and cost-effective solutions. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, mobile banking, and digital payments are changing the way financial services are delivered. This session shall highlight the important role of emerging technologies in Financial inclusion in Arab Countries. Fintechs insert themselves at various points along the financial intermediation chain, usually by providing specialized services. The increased competition traditional banks face from fintech is generally beneficial from an economic point of view. Some fintech might fall outside traditional banking regulations, as most jurisdictions allow for more lenient regulatory requirements, or can even be unregulated to some extent, as in the case of DeFi. The way in which fintech inserts itself in the financial intermediation chain, therefore, has different implications for financial stability risks. This session highlights the positive and negative effects of Fintechs on the traditional banking system.
Dr. Mohamed Antably Chief Commercial Planning & Synergy Officer, and Executive Committee Member – Banque Misr, ex. Head of SMES Committee Federation of |

Lunch & Networking Break

Panel Discussion: Sustainable financing and development financing in the Arab region and the need for transformation to green economy
Sustainable finance provides better returns, as well as helps the Arab countries in making societies more inclusive. Evidence is mounting that sustainable businesses actually offer higher returns for investors and the state of the Arab environment has highlighted environmental challenges and recommended solutions, However, the endorsement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) combined with the provisions of the cope 28 which took and followed as a module, demands a new perspective to identify the requirements of financing sustainable development. This session highlights the development of a comprehensive model for Sustainable finance practice in the Arab World.
Dr. Ali Audi Director of Research Dept., Union of Arab Banks |
Mr. Nasser Al-Qahtani Executive Director - the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND), Saudi Arabia |
Eslam Mahdy Managing Consultant – Guidehouse Berlin |
Dr. Khaled Khaled W. Al-Gazawi Chief Executive Officer - Ebdaa For Microfinance – Bahrain |
Nirav Choksi Co-founder & CEO – CredAble |
Jason Channell Managing Director & head of Sustainable Finance – Citi Global Insights |
Maher Al-Serkali |

Fireside Chat: Web3 and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) in the Arab World
Discussing the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in Web3 technology in decentralized finance to shore up governance and risk management and how to shift smoothly from a centralized to a decentralized new modern economy and make sure the central banks have full responsibility and control of the formulation of monetary policy and regulations and how to eliminate intermediaries by allowing transaction process through emerging technology like Web3.
Abdulrahman Almokla Chief Executive Officer - Rudder Consultancy |
Mustafa Kheriba Executive Chairman, Iceberg Capital, UAE |

Panel Discussion: The establishment of an Arab rating agency to assess the investment climates in the Arab region, taking into account the specificity of the region
Credit rating agencies operate in assessing the ability of States, companies, and financial institutions to fulfill their obligations, as with other financial markets, Arab markets are the subject of a sovereign rating. This session highlights the realities of Arab financial markets and the impact of the credit rating on them, with the proposed establishment of an Arab classification agency which has become imperative as Arab governments increasingly move towards engagement within the global economy. The session highlights as well the absence of a local or regional Arab agency with criteria proportional to the local environment of the Arab States.
Zouhour Jomaa Research Analyst – United Nations Business News Writer Reporter Asharq with Bloomberg |
Dr. Adnan Ahmad Yousif Chairman - Bahrain Association of Banks |
Mr. Richard Mikhael Founder & CEO, Propulse, UAE/France |
Mr. Tarek El-Ghazaly Regional General Manager, National Bank of Egypt |
Sankar Chakraborti CEO – Acuite Ratings & Research Limited |

Interview: Security, Privacy, and Lack of Infrastructure - The Challenges Facing the Arab Countries to Achieve Full Inclusion
Access to financial services is critical to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Financial inclusion thus remains a key development concern, which has become more acute with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The restrictive measures adopted by many governments to curb the spread of COVID–19 have led to income losses, with the most serious impact felt by low-income households. However, many risks with regard to security, privacy, and lack of infrastructure in the Arab world affect the efficiency of the financial inclusion plan. This session highlights the risks and the opportunities.
Davide Giribaldi Head of GRC & Information Security – Swiss Cyber Com |
Dr. Ali Audi Director of Research Dept., Union of Arab Banks |

Closing Ceremony & Declarations of The Future Finance Forum - AIM 2023

Panel 1: The Role of Distressed Real Estate in a Diversified Portfolio
- How are fund managers thinking about distressed investing and what are the opportunities available to investors in this space?
- Discussion on the current economic environment and how rising interest rates are creating a unique set of opportunities for distressed debt investors that have not been seen for over a decade.
- While the upcoming year will bring increased investment opportunities, the panel will explore the factors that could limit this growth, including the absence of covenants in credit documents, the amount of dry powder in the market, and the maturity wall not ramping up until 2025.
- What opportunities are available to lenders in the face of increasing market dispersion, truncated restructuring processes, and sharp price reactions in the secondary market resulting from borrower friendly credit documentation?
Georgios Tomaras Country Manager - Greece & Cyprus, AURA Real Estate Experts, GR |
Hans-Jörg Baumann Chairman of StepStone Private Debt, CH |
Federico Gaito Managing Director, Taurus Asset Management, ES |
Christophe Beauvilain Managing Partner, Pygmalion Capital Advisers, UK |

Break | Networking Meet with a global community of investors and market leaders

Panel 2 : Global NPL Investing: Strategies & Opportunities
- This session will explore the world of global distressed and non-performing loan (NPL) investing, providing insights into the strategies and opportunities available in this space.
- Discussion on the different asset classes in this sector of the market, including real estate, corporate, and consumer debt, the secondary market, and explore the directions the market is heading in due to macroeconomic forces.
- Panelists will share their experiences and analysis of investing in distressed and NPL assets across different geographies, including emerging markets and developed economies. They will discuss the challenges and opportunities of investing in these markets, taking into account macroeconomic conditions, industry-specific trends and the unique regulatory and legal frameworks that govern these transactions.
Edwin Harrap Director, Alantra, UK |
José Nestola Founder & CEO, Copernicus Group, ES |
Konstantin Kraiss Managing Director, LynxCap Investments, CH |
Martin Machon CEO, APS Group, CZ |
Inam ur Rahman CEO & Co-Founder, Oasis Global Consulting, USA |

Introduction and Announcement of the UNCTAD World Investment Forum 2023
H.E. James Zhan Executive Director, UNCTAD World Investment Forum |
Panel: An overview of the major global investment-for-development challenges: the key priority sectors for SDG-relevant investment across the board, including sustainable infrastructure, food security, health, and water and sanitation.
H.E. James Zhan Executive Director, UNCTAD World Investment Forum |
H.E. Louopou Lamah Minister of Trade, Industry and SMEs, Guinea |
H.E. Hossam Heiba President, Egyptian General Authority for Foreign Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and Vice President of WAIPA |
Maria Camila Moreno Executive Director, Free Trade Zone Association of the Americas (AZFA), Republic of Colombia |
Ignacio Corlazzoli Manager in Europe, Asia and Middle East, Latin American Development Bank (CAF), Oriental Republic of Uruguay |
Panel: Investment in the energy transition: looking at international investment trends in renewables, energy efficiency, and electrification infrastructure.
H.E. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria |
Ali Eslami CEO, AXL Electric Vehicles Inc, Canada |

Investing in the Future .. Creating Opportunity. Driving Growth.
Matthias Alexander Buchler ADX Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer |
Renyl Rauf Bayanat CFO |
Amitender Sahi Sahi ADX Manager Product & Platforms |
Ram Meyoor Presight CFO |

Invest in Abu Dhabi: Creating a hub for R&D hubs: Placing innovation at the heart of economic progress
Abu Dhabi is an established global centre for research and development. Across the emirate, big thinkers are working on solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change and food security to medical breakthroughs and early childhood development. As the UAE capital’s innovation ecosystem has expanded, more companies have selected the UAE capital for new R&D centres, creating a virtuous circle and supporting the growth and development of the wider economy. Partnerships across the ecosystem, where other organisations are both collaborators and value generators, have been another key feature of the Abu Dhabi story. This panel will look at how Abu Dhabi has succeeded in delivering its strategy to stimulate innovation and create a sustainable R&D base and ask what is needed to take the ecosystem to the next level.
Brittany McDonough ADIO Head of Relationship Management |
Haitham AlSubaihi ADIO Acting Executive Director |
Mansoor Al Marar, Vice President Industrial Business Development, KEZAD group |
Amier Alawadhi Acting director of Masdar City Free Zone, MASDAR CITY |
Khalid Bin Hadi Siemens Energy – MD |
Alex Aliper Insilico Medicine- CEO |
Fadi Sbaiti AEROFARMS- General Manager |

Panel: Navigating the Web3 & Virtual Asset Investment Landscape: Opportunities in Asia and the Middle East
- Understanding the two-way flow of investments across leading Web3 & virtual asset hubs
- How to accurately identify, define and ‘value’ web3 companies
- What is the Greater Bay Area and why is it an untapped resource for the Middle East?
Lucy Gazmararian Founder & Managing Partner, Token Bay Capital |
Angelina Kwan Managing Director, Stratford Finance |
Anthony Sar Founder & CEO, Finoverse |
Wai Lum Kwok Senior Executive Director, Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority |

Fireside Chat with Binance
Dominic Longman Senior Executive Officer, Binance Abu Dhabi |
Angie Lau Editor-in-Chief & Founder, Forkast Labs |

Exploring the Intersection of FinTech, Virtual Assets, & Web3
- Should we be doubling down on new technology, or proceeding with greater caution?
- Regulating innovation: Balancing success and safety in a fast-growing fintech landscape
- What are the upcoming challenges and opportunities that the ecosystem will encounter in the next 3-5 years?
Annabelle Huang Managing Partner, Amber Group |
Igor Pesin Founder and CEO, Dexy |
Vincent Chok CEO, First Digital Trust |
Annie Hui COO & Co-Founder, Custonomy |

Panel Discussion: Powering the Future of Virtual Assets: From Exchanges to Financial Innovation
- How can financial institutions and FinTechs utilise tech to maximize their efficiency and profitability?
- Personal lessons from founding and growing a startup, sharing best practices
- How can the mainstream adoption of virtual assets be accelerated with financial innovation?
Wayne Huang Co-Founder & CEO, XREX |
Toya Zhang CMO, BIT |
Angelina Kwan Managing Director, Stratford Finance |
Ronit Ghose Future of Finance, Global Head, Citi |
Talal Tabbaa CEO, CoinMENA |

Closing Remarks

Session 1: Empowering and transforming the operations of IPAs in LDCs
In 2022, in collaboration with the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and OCO Global, WAIPA launched an intensive program aimed at advancing the capabilities of IPAs of francophone LDCs. With a total of 5 training workshops, 3 roundtables, and 1 concluding Conference, the focus of this pragmatic program has been to enhance the capacity and capabilities of the respective IPAs.
Furthermore, the Francophone LDC program activities were structured by carrying out individual background research on each participating member and the prevalent domestic conditions, as well as a pre- survey to define the participants’ needs. This approach has enabled to effectively address the unique opportunities and challenges facing the countries both individually and regionally.
Therefore, on similar lines, WAIPA proposes to organize a session for the LDC IPAs that will focus on their respective potential opportunities and existing constraints in engaging with potential investors. The focus will be on supporting and refining the IPAs’ strategy in engaging with the private sector, from the attraction stage to the aftercare of investment.
Ismail Ersahin Executive Director – CEO, WAIPA |
H.E. Ahmed Ali Bazi Minister, Ministry of Economy, Industry and Investments, Comoros |
Mr. Laurent Sansoucy Director, OCO Global |
Ms. Hang Tran Senior Coordinator, Enhanced Integrated Framework Executive Secretariat at the World Trade Organization |
Ms. Aïssata Lam Director General of APIM, Mauritania |
Mr. Dushyant Thakor Deputy Executive Director, WAIPA |
Ms. Latifa El Bouabdellaoui Director General, Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT) |

Session 2: Attracting and Promoting SDGs-aligned Investments in LDCs through regional cooperation
SDG17 emphasizes the importance of partnerships in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering collaboration between governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. In line with this goal, IPAs play an important role in building and sustaining effective partnerships to promote sustainable investments that align with the SDGs. Regional cooperation is a key factor in attracting investments to LDCs, as it enables IPAs to pool resources and expertise, develop joint strategies, and create a more attractive investment environment.
This session will tackle SDG17 (Partnership for the Goals) and showcase how IPAs can benefit from regional cooperation and relevant investor networks to achieve their goals. Moreover, the session will also draw on the discussions held in the multiagency Executive IPA College, particularly in reference to Module 4 “Effective investment promotion networks and Partnerships for sustainable development and COVID-19 Adaptation”.
Courtney Fingar Fingar Direct Investment Courtney Fingar, Founder & Principal, Fingar Direct Investment |
Mr. Yofi Grant CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC); Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, WAIPA |
Dr. Stefan Kratzsch Sustainability Standards and Responsible Business Unit, Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade, United Nations Industrial Development Organization |
Dr. Stephania Bonilla-Feret Senior Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) |
Anthony Nkinzo
Managing Director of the National Investment Promotion Agency, Anapi |
Mr. Mohit Bhasin Partner, Global Co-lead for the Economic growth practice at KPMG |

Break

Session 3: Climate FDI and the role of IPAs in partnership with the World Economic Forum
More than $3 trillion of investment is required each year to achieve national climate goals and decarbonize (UNEP 2022). The foreign direct investment that supports climate actions – known as climate FDI – can play an important role in providing both the capital and knowledge to reach national and global climate goals.
However, this requires creating the right enabling environment to unlock, attract, and facilitate climate FDI.
The World Economic Forum, together with WAVTEQ, is publishing a Guidebook to help IPAs create such an environment through targeted policies and measures. This session will preview the Guidebook just before it is officially published. The session will especially seek to hear from firms, IPAs, and other key actors on the next steps that are needed to drive this important agenda, especially in LDCs.
WAIPA can play a catalyzing role, convening IPAs to exchange and cooperate on facilitating climate FDI, including through a potential climate investment alliance that is being discussed.
Join us to learn the latest, frontier thinking on how to grow climate FDI, and to share your views on what’s needed next for the climate and investment agendas to work hand-in-hand. This will create new opportunities for firms in the growing area of FDI projects aligned with climate goals, as well as opportunities for government to attract and facilitate these kinds of projects, and thus help deliver on their development goals.
Dr. Matthew Stephenson Head, Investment Policy and Practice, World Economic Forum |
H.E. Hossam Heiba President, Egyptian General Authority for Foreign Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and Vice President of WAIPA |
Nangula Uaandja Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board Chief Executive Officer |
Santiago Bañales Managing Director, Iberdrola Innovation Middle East |
Muhammad Yusrizki KADIN Net Zero Hub Chariman |

Session 4: Promotion of Tourism Investments in LDCs In collaboration with UNWTO
Miguel Angel Figueroa Investments Principal, Innovation, Investments and Digital Transformation, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) |
Mr. Dushyant Thakor Deputy Executive Director, WAIPA |
Natalia Bayona Director, Innovation, Education and Investments, UNWTO |
Ms. Diana Kouyate Managing Director of APIP-Guinée |
Sarah Payne Director of Impact, Reset Tourism Fund |
Ms. Sumegha Sugandh Assistant VP at Invest India |
Josielle Rafidy Director General, CEO, EDB Madagascar |

Award Ceremony: WAIPA Investment Award Honoring Exemplary Adaptation of Investment Policies by IPAs

MC Day One Opening Remarks
Imad Eddine Oubiri Sr. Advisor, Director of Community Services & Industry Engagement – American University of Ras Al-Khaimah |

Opening Remarks
Dr. Hashim Hussein Executive Director - World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum |
H.E. Dr. Khaled Hanafy Secretary General - Union of Arab Chambers |
H.E. Abdullah Mohammed Al Mazrui Chairman - Abu-Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry |

Official Entrepreneurs Investment Summit Opening
HE Dr. Ahmed Abu El Gheit Secretary General - League of Arab States |
HE Dr. Haidara Fatou Deputy Director General and Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations, and Director General’s Special Representative for Africa |
H.E. Sameer Abdulla Nass H.E. Sameer Abdulla Nass, President at - Union of Arab Chambers |
HE Ahmed M. El Wakil President Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) |

Panel 1: Supporting Green Entrepreneurship: Greening SMEs for more Competitiveness and Sustainability - Opportunities for SMEs in a greener value chain
Re-manufacturing, repair, maintenance, recycling and eco-design have a great potential to become drivers of economic growth and job creation, while at the same time, making a significant contribution to addressing environmental challenges. SMEs and entrepreneurs need a supportive environment to move towards a circular economy. In our time SMEs shall turn the environmental challenges into opportunities in order for them to be able to compete in a time competitiveness became a high risk. SMEs are usually in dynamic and competitive markets and they operate on a business logic. Unless there are incentives for alternatives and those alternatives are easy to access most business owners’ default to the easiest and cheapest option. This session highlights how can we prepare an enabling ecosystem for Green Business owners, in order to encourage for more sustainable business for SMEs; policy; promoting legal and institutional incentives, providing financial & cultural enabling ecosystem, supporting network, building human capacities, and facilitating access to markets.
HE Dr. Nasser Yassin Minister of Environment, Lebanon |
Rasmus Wiinstedt Tscherning Managing director - Creative Business Network, Denmark: |
Douja Ben Mahmoud Gharbi CEO RedStart Tunisia Accelerator and President DAMYA Angels |
Dr. Ahmed Nasser Green Hub |
Osama Rais Head of the Entrepreneurship Unit and Digital Transformation Expert, Arab Organization for Agricultural Development |
Hatem Mohammad AbouOllo Founder of Saber Incubators & Accelerators |

Special Session “Fostering International Partnerships Energy and Environment - Call for High Impact Cleantech” by UNIDO ITPO Italy
Phillip Sellwe Managing Director Bayon Holdings, Botswana |
Samuel Okioro Co-founder Drop Access, Kenya |
Roger Mori Pizzino CEO Ciclo, Peru |

Special Initiative UNIDO Global Call 2023 "Clean and Smart Energy for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development”
Mr. Wu Yabin Head UNIDO ITPO Beijing |

Panel 2: Improving SMEs Access to Finance: Finding Innovative Solutions to Unlock Sources of Capital in MENA Region and the African Continent
SMEs represent 90% of the businesses and more than 50% of employment worldwide and contribute to up to 40% of national income GDP in emerging economies, making it very important to think about new sources of capital for SMEs. Access to finance is a key constraint to SME growth; keeping in mind that about half of formal SMEs don’t have access to formal credit. This gap is even larger when micro and informal enterprises are included. MENA is perceived to be a high-risk region in terms of correspondent banking relationships (CBRs); One of the major dangers of de-risking is that it can exclude entire communities and business sectors from the global, regulated financial system. This not only erodes financial security but also impacts local economies. In this environment, the domestic SME sector often finds it more difficult to access banking services than larger corporates. This, in turn, stifles entrepreneurship and innovation.
This Panel shall discuss the barriers to finance in 2022/2023, and the tools for improving access to finance and unlocking sources of capital for SMEs.
Reem Badran Founder MENA Business Women Network Panelists |
Dr. Wissam Fattouh Secretary General Union of Arab Banks (TBC) |
Pauline Koelbl Founder/Managing Partner - ShEquity’s |
Baybars Altuntas Chairman, World Business Angels Investment Forum |
Michel Fossaert Board Member - World Union of SMEs |
Mohamed Hreimou Executive Manager - Emirati Entrepreneurs Association |
Ali Muqaibal Chief Executive Officer, Sharakah – Oman |

Special initiative Dr. Rascha Ragheb, Executive Director of National Training Academy, and the Director of World Youth Forum
Rascha Ragheb Executive Director of National Training Academy, Director of World Youth Forum |

Developing conducive ecosystems for entrepreneurship and innovation
Today there is an urgent need for governments and the private sector to swiftly adapt to the changing market conditions; that take into account the digital transformation. Hence, in order to institutionalize an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem which takes into account laying the base for promoting domestic investment leading to leveraging foreign direct investment thus leading to the development of global entrepreneurs and SMEs calls for exploring international best practices and strategies in terms of non-financial services and the means of linking them to financial services to achieve sustainable financial inclusion. The base of such interventions will be the availability of effective economic infrastructure, a strong educational system that nurtures entrepreneurship and innovation from a very early age, and eventually a strong government advocacy and policy that promotes entrepreneurship and that is at the same time in strong partnership with the private sector and multinational organizations.
Dr Hashim Hussein Head - UNIDO ITPO Bahrain |
Omar Oz International Expert - Incubation Management |
Abdul F. Al Kayed CEO - Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation |
Dr. Giovanni Zazzerini Secretary General – International Network for SMEs |
Prof. Randa Rizk Secretary General - Arab Council for Social Responsibility |
Dr. Ashraf El Arabi President - INP |
Mahmood Abdulsamad Alyas Director Support and Services - Ministry of Youth Affairs |

Challenges of Women Entrepreneurs: The Financial, Investment and Educational Shortfalls
Women have made substantial progress in the world of business over the last two decades, and the importance of female entrepreneurship for economic growth is well documented. Even though there have been approximately 252 million women entrepreneurs worldwide, they are still facing real challenges socially, economically, and politically. This Session highlights the resilience, flexibility and strength Women Entrepreneurs have shown throughout the last 3 years in the face of unprecedented adversity, both in the workplace and their communities. In specific, the financial and educational challenges faced by Women Entrepreneurs in combination with the Global Challenges.
Dr. Hanan El Basha Founder, The Business Doctor & The Global Businesswomen | Senator – WBAF |
María Helena de Felipe Member - European Economic and social Committee & Vice-president - Equality group |
Reem Baghdadi Chairwoman - Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Women |
Ubaydli Al Ubaydli President - Arab ICT Union |
Reem Badran Founder - MENA Businesswomen Network |
Yemisi Mokuolu CEO - Hatch Ideas |

Panel: Access to Markets - Unlocking Growth in Logistics SMEs & Diversifying Supply Chains
Many factors have affected the low participation of SMEs in international trade; some of them are internal constraints as, the informational barriers, human resources barriers, the higher vulnerability to market developments and high infrastructure costs. Others are external factors as the standards and technical regulations, logistics processes & services, customs, and other administrative trade procedures. This panel shall highlight the internal and external barriers which hinder SMEs access to markets; Some of the highlighted challenges are high tariffs, costs of products specially in agriculture sector, standards related measures specially for chemicals, cosmetics & machinery, logistics including customs requirements & Harmonized System (HS) Classification, lack of governmental incentives to participate in global value chains, marketing barriers, competitiveness barriers and financial barriers.
This Panel shall highlight the adopted tools and strategies of unlocking the challenges to the road of access to markets.
Dr. Sara Al Gazzar Union of Arab Chambers Senior Advisor |
Hu Shuting, CEO Talk Technology, Shenzhen – China CEO Talk Technology, Shenzhen – China |
Sonya Janahi Global Entrepreneur & Board Member - Bahrain Chamber |
Alice Kaboli Producers Trust - USA |
Rabab Khalaf Head of Planning & Market Intelligence - Export Bahrain |
Mohammed Mulla Yaqoub Assistant Director General for Business Development – Kuwait Direct Investment & Promotion Authority (KDIPA) |
Ayman Edris Alawadi Member – Emirati Entrepreneurs Association |

Lunch & Networking Break

Special Session “Economic Empowerment Activities of the Youth in Organisation of Islamic Cooperation” by Mr. Yunus Sönmez, Director General Cabinet Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum
Mr. Yunus Sönmez Director General Cabinet Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum |

SMEs & Agritech Business: Digital Transformation & IOT’s Role in Boosting Investments in Agriculture SMEs
Agriculture Sector is still the least digitised sector; SMEs in the agriculture sector today must cope with a rapidly changing socio-economic environment and tackle a broad variety of external shocks and stresses such as climate change, and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Applying digital Transformation & IOT in Agriculture sector can pave the way for addressing some of the constraints faced by SMEs in adapting to the rapid changes in the socioeconomic environment, as well it can help in enabling them to compete with large scale agribusinesses. This panel highlights the challenges and opportunities of applying full digitalization to the Agritech business.
Ubaydli Al Ubayldi President - Arab ICT Union |
Miguel Martin President - SDGs Science, Tech & Innovation Committee WBAF, Spain UNIDO |
Mohamed Najjar Animal Production Expert - AOAD |
Imad Hamdan, General Manager Lebanon Fund for Development & Innovation General Manager Lebanon Fund for Development & Innovation |
Daniel Musiita Ssubi Board Member - World Union of SMEs |
Farah Chakhachiro Vice President Gracia Group |
Mohamed Soud Arab Center Organization for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dryland “ACSAD” |
Ahmed Juma Alraeesi Secretary General - Emirati Entrepreneurs Association |
Dr. Muhammad Sharif Advisor Science and Technology Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization |

Panel: Educational Institutions, Think Tanks & R&D: The Way Forward to Promote Knowledge Based Economy
Innovation is a major engine of economic growth; Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for most of the enterprises, are expected to significantly contribute to innovation. However, it is known that SMEs’ contribution to research and development (R&D) activities is limited. Only 11% of SMEs have achieved product innovation during 2012-2014 compared to 27% for large firms. SMEs are subject to constraints in internal resources such as capital, human resources, and knowledge due to their small size. Also, access to external resources is limited due to market failures. Therefore, SMEs should rely on external business resources to conduct R&D activities; here comes the role of Research Tanks. Meanwhile, SMEs must seek external funding and collaborate with other organizations to obtain advanced knowledge. Thus, SMEs have disadvantages in R&D and innovation when compared to larger firms; SMEs often lack sufficient knowledge and human resources to absorb external knowledge, which is essential for R&D and innovation. This session highlights the relation between think tanks (R&D) and boosting innovation and growth in SMEs; the internal and external challenges, the think tanks role, the challenges of protecting and utilizing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Douja Ben Mahmoud Gharbi CEO RedStart Tunisia Accelerator and President DAMYA Angels |
Dr. Sara Al Gazzar Union of Arab Chambers Senior Advisor |
Dr. Mourad Mansour Assistant Professor of Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship KFUPM, Saudi Arabia |
Filippo Ravoni Head of local economic analysis - Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, Italy |
Dr. Jyothi Devakumar Healthspan Action Coalition (Director) and Purusha Venture labs (CEO and Founder) |
Ahmed Shawqi Managing Director, Middle East, FranklinCovey International Education |
Mr. Ahmed Juma Alraeesi Secretary General - Emirati Entrepreneurs Association |

Fire Side Chat: Entrepreneurship & Orange Economy: an Opportunity to Modernize & Transform SMEs Sectors in Need of New Production Eco-friendly & Sustainable Models – Cultural Tourism, Entertainment Economy & other sectors as examples
Rasmus Wiinstedt Tscherning Managing director - Creative Business Network, Denmark: |

Entrepreneurs Investment Summit: Closing
HE Dr. Ahmed Abu El Gheit Secretary General - League of Arab States |
HE Dr. Haidara Fatou Deputy Director General and Managing Director, Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations, and Director General’s Special Representative for Africa |
HE Shaikh Ebrahim Al Khalifa UNIDO Arab International Centre for Entrepreneurship & Investment Honorary Chairman Board of Trustees |
HE Dr. Khaled Hanafy Secretary General, Union of Arab Chambers |
Dr. Hashim Hussein Executive Director - World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum |

Opening Remarks
Ken Wilson |

Key Note Speech (1)
Government Open policies and Social Progress: Creating an Investment-Friendly Environment
How transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making can contribute to economic growth and to the process of boosting investment, and how governments can create an environment that is conducive to investment and entrepreneurship. The benefits of open government policies for promoting economic growth and social progress, and how successful initiatives that have been implemented in various countries around the world impact the investment climate.
Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh, Investment Department & Public Private Partnership Project, Government of Sindh, Pakistan |

The Role of tolerance and coexistence for sustainable economic growth and prosperity
Fostering a Developed Free Market Economy through Educational Policies Promoting Tolerance and Diversity
What is the role of businesses in promoting tolerance and diversity, and how companies can leverage these values to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. What are the connections between education, tolerance, diversity, and economic growth, and the way forward to identify practical strategies for promoting these values in educational settings and in the business world.
H.E. Fabio Righi Minister of Industry, Handicraft & Trade, Technological Research, Regulatory Simplification – Republic of San Marino |

From Local Leadership to Global Competition: The Social Drivers of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
From Local Leadership to Global Competition: The Social Drivers of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
What is the role of social factors such as culture, social networks, diversity and tolerance values in driving innovation and entrepreneurship at the local and global levels. How diversity and tolerance can be used to promote these drivers at the local and global levels to foster an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship, and how this can lead to economic growth and prosperity; Identifying practical strategies for fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship and provide participants with actionable insights that they can apply in their own organizations.
H.E. Louopou Lamah Minister of Trade, Industry and SME, Guinea |

Harnessing Diversity through Tolerance: The Role of Diversity & Heterogeneity in Firm’s Behavior & Industrial Development
The role of diversity in overcoming challenges and fostering industrial development, and how diversity can be harnessed in such context, to positively affect firms’ behaviour, and hence industrial development; The simulations suggest that economic growth is increased with greater variety, in the sense of the evolutionary process approaching the equilibrium faster and also, in the long run, moving faster from one equilibrium to a new, more advanced, equilibrium. This occurs due to higher variety caused by a more tolerant environment, and due to the higher probability of emergence of radical innovations.
H.E. Simplex Chithyola Banda Minister of Trade and Industry - Malawi |

National Anthem

Key Note Speech: The role of tolerance and coexistence for sustainable economic growth and prosperity
The UAE Model: Fostering Tolerance and Coexistence for Sustainable Economic Growth and Prosperity
Exploring how the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has leveraged its commitment to tolerance and coexistence to promote economic growth and prosperity. The UAE has made significant strides in recent years in creating an environment that values diversity, promotes inclusivity, and encourages innovation. By doing so, it has been able to attract businesses, talent, and investment from around the world, positioning itself as a global hub for trade and commerce. The session will aim to showcase the UAE model as an example of how tolerance and coexistence can drive sustainable economic growth and prosperity, and how other countries might learn from the UAE's experience in this regard.
H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence – UAE |

Key Note Speech
H.E. Darkhan Kydyrali Minister of Information and Public Development – Republic of Kazakhastan |

The World Governments an Incubator for Tolerance
H.E. Darkhan Kydyrali Minister of Information and Public Development – Republic of Kazakhastan |
H.E. Nalin Fernando Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security, Sri Lanka. |

Signing Agreements Ceremony
H.E. Narek Mkrtchyan Minister of Labor and Social Affairs - Armenia |
H.E. Umbriel Temiraliev Head of the National Investments Authority - Kyrgyz Republic |
H.E. Louopou Lamah Minister of Trade, Industry and SME, Guinea |
H.E. Lorenzo Fanara Ambassador of Italy in UAE |
H.E. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain, & Member of the Council of Muslim Bahrain Kingdom Elders |
H.E. Darkhan Kydyrali Minister of Information and Public Development – Republic of Kazakhastan |
Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh, Investment Department & Public Private Partnership Project, Government of Sindh, Pakistan |

Panel Discussion: Global Clubs for Tolerance in Educational Institutions
Promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence in the educational environment through systems and policies on the one hand, and through student activities on the other hand
Ken Wilson |
Arlie Peters Provost, New York University |
Ms. Fatiah Tourey American University of Sharjah, Executive Director of Inclusion and Equity |
Prof. Silvia Serrano Vice-Chancellor Sorbonne, Sorbonne University |
Mr. Ilya Melnichuk General Director of Synergy, Synergy University - Dubai |

Closing Remarks

Namibia Investment Destination Forum
Namibia's recent developments, including the significant discoveries in oil and gas both onshore, in the Kavango East region and offshore, in the Orange Basin have attracted the attention of the global energy community, making it a potential exploration hotspot.
In addition, great strides have been made in the renewable energy space with several large-scale projects currently in operation or under construction. As the demand for sustainable energy intensifies, Namibia is well-positioned to leverage her unparalleled capacity to produce green hydrogen and emerge as a key player in the African and global energy market. Furthermore, World-class solar and wind resources, vast open spaces and long coastline make Namibia the ideal destination for future green hydrogen development. These reasons enable Namibia to produce green hydrogen at highly competitive costs.
Namibia’s tourism landscape features impressive breathtaking landscapes, diverse culture and rich wildlife. From the sand dunes plunging down to the Atlantic Ocean at Sandwich Harbour, the second largest canyon in the world, Fish River Canyon to unforgettable stargazing experiences in the NamibRand Nature Reserve which is the first African location to obtain the DarkSky certification.
For the discerning investor, Namibia’s emerging MICE sector and boutique tourism destination offers lucrative investment opportunities.
Tourism and Hospitality has become tantamount with Namibia and offers investment opportunities in top luxury accommodation, large scale conferencing such as MICE facilities, cruise tourism and film tourism.
Agriculture is one of Namibia’s important sectors, around 70% of the population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihoods. The country holds several investment opportunities across the entire value chain of both the livestock and horticulture industries. The country currently exports high value fruits to key markets such the UAE, UK and EU market.
Nangula Nelulu Uaandja
Chief Executive Officer of Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) |

Moscow Investment Destination Forum
Moscow’s economy is one of the world’s largest urban economies and the largest one in Russia. The head offices of most of the leading Russian companies, as well as the representative offices of many major foreign organizations operating in Russia are located in Moscow.
The capital tops the Russian investment attractiveness rating with investments growing from year to year. Despite the challenging global circumstances, investment volume increases due to Moscow’s anti-crisis measures, including such programs as subsidizing interest on loans for production expansion and preferential rates of land lease for large-scale investment projects.
Moscow is always open to sustainable, honest, and constructive cooperation. Comfortable business environment and support for business initiatives make the capital an attractive investment destination. For foreign investors, Moscow is a point of entry into the market of Russia and the CIS countries and access to export markets. Investors in Moscow can gain access to high-quality labor resources and scientific and educational potential. The high-level development of information and communication technologies, the large capacity margin of communal infrastructure, the positive dynamics of the transport infrastructure and public space development, as well as the high quality of the urban environment also make the capital attractive to foreign investors.
The city is among the world’s leaders in terms of innovative attractiveness and it tops the Innovation Infrastructure index. To date, there are 3 innovation clusters, 51 technoparks, and over 100 co-working spaces in the city.
Moscow is one of the leading cities in sustainable development. The Moscow Government has been realizing the strategy of socially-oriented lean economy for more than a decade now. Its main purpose is to use resources efficiently and increase the quality of city dwellers’ lives while preserving the optimal level of environmental impact. The city has been actively working to strengthen its position and implement the principles of ESG, its efforts have been marked by international experts.
H.E. Sergey Cheremin Minister of Moscow City Government Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow |
Alexander Pinsky Director for International Activities of Sitronics Group |
Artemy Urodovskikh VP of business development, Big Three LLC |
Maria Bogomolova CEO of Moscow Agency of Innovations |
Dmitriy Markov CEO of Vision Labs LLC |

Republic of Armenia Investment Destination Forum
Armenia, situated in the South Caucasus, has emerged as an attractive destination for foreign investors due to its flourishing economy, simplified business procedures, skilled workforce, and an improving business environment.
With a land area of 29.7 thousand square kilometers and a population of nearly 3 million, Armenia has historically served as a vital link between the East and West. Its unique geographical location has made it a crucial trade route connecting Europe and Asia, enabling easy access to different parts of the world.
The Armenian government is taking considerable steps to improve the business climate and create favorable conditions for investments. From energy and infrastructure to technology, agriculture, food processing, tourism, and textiles, Armenia presents ample opportunities in a diverse range of sectors. Additionally, the government's open-door policy towards foreign investors and a comprehensive system of fiscal and financial incentives make investing in Armenia even more attractive.
An essential aspect to consider when investing in Armenia is its access to large export markets with preferential conditions. Thanks to Armenia's diversified economic relations, its products can be exported to a consumer market of 1 billion people with 0% or reduced customs duties.
In summary, with its robust economy, skilled workforce, and strategic location, Armenia offers a compelling opportunity for investors looking to expand their business horizons.
Edik Harutyunyan Enterprise Armenia Senior Manager of Investment Promotion and Foreign Relations |

Experience Elevation – Lesotho’s Investment Climate and Trade Investment Opportunities
Lesotho is found on the 29: 30 South latitude and 28: 30 east longitudes and the country is completely surrounded by South Africa. Lesotho has ten districts and her capital city is Maseru, She is 2, 261m above Sea level with a land area of 30, 355 KM and easily accessible by air and road. She is close to Durban port for access to the port. Lesotho uses the metric measuring system. Her weather pattens are characterized by cool to cold, dry winters and wet summers. She is divided into three ecological zone: Lowlands, Highlands, and Foothills.De Jure Population is 2, 0007,201 as of 2016 (Bureau of Statistics Census), The official Language are Sesotho and English. Lesotho is made up of 99.7% Basotho, 0.3% Europeans, Asians, and others. The country has 86.2% Literacy rate with a labour force of 1,233,229, of which 63.3% is made up of youth to labour (15-35years).
Advocate Molise Ramaili LNDC The Interim CEO |
Puseletso Makhakhe General Manager of Investment and Trade Promotion Lesotho National Development Corporation |
Marina Bizabina General Manager-Development Finance |

Azerbaijan Investment Destination Forum
Azerbaijan is a country with a population of over 10 million located between the Caspian Sea and the Greater Caucasus Mountain range. The country has a high Human Development Index score of 0.75 and a steadily growing economy. With over USD 300 billion invested in the economy between 1995 and 2021, Azerbaijan has become an attractive destination for foreign investment flows, with overseas investments totaling USD 154.5 billion. The non-oil sector has seen significant development, with a total volume of non-oil investment reaching USD 63.9 billion during the same period, and non-oil FDI totaling USD 17 billion.
Azerbaijan's infrastructure is highly developed, boasting a vast network of 20,000 kilometers of roads and highways, 8 international airports, and various transport corridors that link Europe and Asia. Examples of well-established infrastructure in Azerbaijan include the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad, the New Baku International Sea Trade Port, and AFEZ. Notably, Azerbaijan is a pivotal player in the East-West transport corridor, which connects China and Europe, acting as a critical hub in this route.
Bilateral investment treaties, as well as double taxation agreements signed between Azerbaijan and other influential countries provide a favorable investment environment for foreign investors and create legal certainty and predictability for investments.
The country's industrial parks offer excellent possibilities for cooperation, with residents exempted from various taxes and duties for a period of 10 years. As of June 2022, 116 business entities were granted residency status in industrial parks, with 65 already operating. The total production of the industrial parks amounted to USD 2.9 billion in 2022, with export figures reaching USD 1.1 billion in the same year, creating 10,325 new job opportunities.
The recent liberation of internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan has also boosted the country's investment potential, with vast renewable energy capacity in the Karabakh region and tax exemptions for residents of these territories.
Orkhan Mammadov Chairman of the Management Board, Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan |
Yusif Abdullayev Head of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan – AZPROMO |
Huseyn Aliyev Legal Manager at the Alat Free Economic |
Samra Guliyeva Senior Destination Development Manager at Azerbaijan Tourism Board |

Democratic Republic of Congo Investment Destination Forum
With a surface area of 2,345,410 km2, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a continent-sized territory, the second largest country in Africa. French is the Official language with 4 National languages: Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba and Swahili. The national currency is the Congolese Franc (CDF), other currencies like the US dollars, the Euro are freely traded.
Strategically located in the center of the African continent, DRC is well known for having a large dynamic domestic market of more than 100 million inhabitants, being also a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC). The country has successfully established itself as one of the go-to investment hubs in Africa. The DRC benefits from natural mineral resources (such as diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, lithium and uranium), driving a mining sector that has historically attracted the country’s highest levels of FDI. Agriculture, Energy, infrastructures and industry are also important sectors for the country. As a future-oriented market, it is a beacon for foreign investors. From 2006, the DRC saw a steady rise in inward investment, mostly in the mining sector.
DRC’s unique tourist opportunities including wildlife reserves, indigenous cultures, and geological wonders establishes the DRC as a perfect country for those who seek to connect to nature and mankind. With almost 12% of the territory established as protected areas, DRC offers a wide range of tourist attractions in different provinces ranging from the seaside to the safaris and cultural structures. DRC caters to the business as well as leisure.
The DRC Government are pushing for Digital Transformation of the Public Sector through different initiatives and programs which creates various opportunities for potential investors in the Telecommunication sector as well as attracting Digital Solutions and Services Businesses to establish in DRC.
H.E. Mr. Jean Lucien BUSA Minister of Foreign Trade |
H.E. Mrs. Marie Ndjeka Opombo Ambassador of the DRC to the United Arab Emirates |
Anthony Nkinzo
Managing Director of the National Investment Promotion Agency, Anapi |
Guy BANDU Governor of Central Kongo Province |

Cambodia Investment Destination Forum
Cambodia's economy has grown steadily over the past decades, with an average annual growth rate of over 7% since 1998. Politically stable, the economy is fully dollarized with USD usage prevalent in daily local transactions. Further, the Government has been implementing policies favorable towards foreign investment. Foreign investors are allowed 100% ownership of assets and equity via Trust structures and tax rates are relatively low compared to other countries in the region.
Geographically, it shares borders with Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, a region populated by over 200 million people. Demographically, over 60% of Cambodia's population is under the age of 30, providing a young and dynamic workforce with the potential of developing into middle income consumers.
The Government has focused on infrastructure, improving roads and upgrading airports, making it easier for tourists to travel the country. As such, Cambodia tourism has grown steadily over the past decade, with a focus on cultural and historical attractions such as Angkor Wat and other focal temples. Before Covid, Cambodia welcomed over 6.6 million tourists in 2019, a 6.6% increase from 2018. Further, the development of luxury hotels and resorts has proliferated - particularly in the coastal areas of Koh Rong and Sihanoukville.
Adjacent to Sihanoukville is the specialized Bay of Lights. A future world‐class financial center and tourism destination, the 934-hectare coastal township is located approximately 235km southwest of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. With unique competitive advantages, the zone potentially will catalyse a change that may spread across the entire countryscape.
John Yip Head of Investment, Real Estate Division at Canopy Sands Development & Belt Road Capital Management |
Tom O’Sullivan CEO of Realestate.com.kh |

Jordan Investment Destination Forum
The Ministry of Investment (MOIN) is at the forefront of serving current and prospect investors in Jordan to ensure a high ease of doing business and strong investor protection regulation. We, at the Ministry of Investment, are committed to being your strategic partner with solutions personalized to your needs at any stage of your business growth and or establishment.
In Jordan, investors will find the optimal regional hub for their business. International investors will have the potential of serving over a billion customers thanks to the numerous free trade agreements that Jordan maintains with trade partners across the globe (including USA, EU, Canada, and Singapore). In addition to exponentially growing your market share, Jordan’s financial market is one of the most stable in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Jordan owes its success to its investment in human capital which is regionally renowned as a highly educated, skilled and innovative workforce that enriches your business with a value-driven performance culture.
In furtherance of said direction, Jordan offers a comprehensive range of incentives and facilitations to potential investors, including an optimum climate for investments. The Jordanian Government has, across its successive terms, undertaken numerous serious measures to review and enhance the economic, financial, and legal framework governing the investment process in order to take advantage of the available opportunities to increase economic growth and promote economic development in the various governorates across the Kingdom.
H.E Kholoud Saqqaf Minister of Investment - Jordan |
H.E Hussein Alsafadi CEO Aqaba Development Corporation |
Tariq Hijazi General Manager of Jordanian Businessmen Association |
Bilal Hammouri Director of Investment Promotion at The Ministry of Investment (MoIN) |

State of Kerala Investment Destination Forum
Suman Billa IAS Principal Secretary, Industries & NORKA |

China Beijing Daxing International Airport Economic Zone (Langfang)
Beijing Daxing International Airport Economic Zone was approved for establishment by the National Development and Reform Commission in August 2016. Located at the junction of Beijing Daxing District and Langfang City, Hebei Province, it is the only airport economic zone (including pilot free trade zone and comprehensive bonded zone) cross provincial administrative regions in China. The Airport Economic Zone is located in the golden triangle zone of Beijing, Tianjin and Xiong’an, 45 kilometers away from the central urban area of Beijing, 80 kilometers away from the central urban area of Tianjin and 55 kilometers away from Xiong’an New Area. The planned area is 150 square kilometers, 100 square kilometers of which are in Langfang area, including 52 square kilometers of aviation logistics zone and 48 square kilometers of science and technology innovation zone. As an important window of the dual-cycle pattern of services, the strategic positioning of Airport Economic Zone is "the International Innovation Exchange Center Function Bearing Area, the National Aviation S&T Innovation Leading Area, and the BJ-TJ-HB Collaborative Development Demonstration Zone".
Han Jinhu Member of the CPC Working Committee of Beijing Daxing International Airport Economic Zone (Langfang), Party Secretary and Chairman of Hebei Airport Group Co., Ltd. |

Zimbabwe Investment Destination Forum
Zimbabwe is land linked country located in the heart of Southern Africa, at the very centre of the North-South Corridor, making the country’s railways, roads, power and telecommunications network an optimum location for regional logistics hubs, with access to markets in East and Southern Africa. With a young and literate population estimated at 16 million, the country covers a land area of 390 757 square kilometres and is favoured with tropical temperate weather, and some of the world’s rarest natural resources.=
Harare is the country’s capital city and one of 10 Provinces that make up the country, each boasting an amazing array of investment opportunities across all its economic sectors. With a rich natural resource base – which includes minerals such as gold, lithium, platinum and diamonds, the country is also home to 17 of the world’s rarest minerals, and offers investors access to extraction and beneficiation of high grade minerals in an enabling environment. 10% of the country’s land is highly fertile arable - agricultural land, which contributes to 11% of the country’s GDP and offers opportunity for crop production, horticultural production, livestock and dairy farming and agro-processing - backed by availability and access to water bodies with potential for large scale commercial irrigation processes.
Zimbabwe is home to one of the world’s wonders in the Victoria Falls, and tourism is major sector, with a diverse range of tourist attractions which include the Big 5 animals in wildlife, World Heritage sites, and cultural heritage sites across the country. It also offers the high-end luxury travel experiences in some of the country’s 5-star safari resorts. The country’s current drive for beneficiation offers investors manufacturing opportunities in textile production, ICT and agro- processing. The country also offers opportunities to invest in generation of 2 000MW of renewable energy through solar and hydro-power generation.
30 000 hectares of land across the country have been spatially planned and are ready for infrastructure development in the New City, Victoria Falls – Batoka 7 Node Development, Kanyemba, Tokwe Mukosi Dam and in its Special Economic Zone urban land developments.
Dr. Mavis Sibanda Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce |
Tafadzwa Chinamo Chief Executive Officer of Zimbabwe Investment And Development Agency |
Rungano Innocent Nyaude Founding Chairman of Zimbabwe Business Council UAE |

Poland Investment Destination Forum
Discover Poland's Untapped Potential - A Thriving Business Hub in the Heart of Europe, Boasting a Skilled Workforce, Favorable Business Climate, and Strategic Location for Global Expansion.
During this country session dedicated to Poland, you will have the opportunity to hear from experts and industry leaders about the business climate in Poland and the investment opportunities available in this country. You will also learn about the incentives and support measures that the Polish government has put in place to encourage foreign investment.
The session will be divided into 3 parts.
The first part “Poland: Gateway to Growth - Unlocking Opportunities for Investors” will be hosted by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.
The second part "Uncovering the Investment Potential of Silesia: Opportunities and Advantages for Business Growth" will be hosted by the Marshal's Office of the Silesian Voivodship. Silesia Voivodeship is one of the most attractive regions in Poland for investment. Located in the south of the country, Silesia is a hub of economic activity and was ranked in the top ten in three categories of the prestigious Financial Times report.
The third part on “Forget Silicon Valley - Poland is Europe’s emerging tech epicenter” will be hosted by MK Business Link – the expert specialising in Poland - UAE bussines relations.
Małgorzata Panek-Kasińska CEO & Founder at MK Business Link |
Anna Sierakowska Head of Growth Strategy at MK Business Link |
Jacek Robert Moritz CEO of Alta S.A. / Miasteczko Siewierz Jeziorna Sp. z o.o. |
Maciej Białko Head of the Middle East Office of Foreign Cooperation Department Upper Silesian Fund SA |

Angola Investment Destination Forum
Angola is a country in southern Africa with a population of approximately 33 million people. It is a resource-rich nation, with diamonds, oil, and minerals forming a significant part of its economy.
In recent years, Angola has made significant progress in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure. This progress has resulted in the country's classification as a middle-income nation by the World Bank. As a result, Angola has become an attractive destination for businesses looking to invest in the region.
The capital city, Luanda, is a major hub for international trade and commerce, while other cities such as Benguela, Huambo, and Lubango have growing economies and present potential investment opportunities.
Moreover, Angola's national parks and wildlife reserves, such as Quiçama National Park, offer potential opportunities for eco-tourism and sustainable business ventures.
While Angola has faced political instability and conflict in the past, the country has taken significant steps to overcome these challenges and build a stable environment for business growth. As a result, Angola presents an attractive investment destination for businesses looking to expand into southern Africa.
Bráulio Mohammed Sanda Martins President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Angola-UAE |
António Gervásio Manuel Zola Head of Diamond Comercialization and Marketing of Sociedade Mineira de Catoca |

Georgia Closed Round Table
Georgia is a highly attractive investment destination due to its favorable business climate, which is characterized by low taxes, low utility costs, a competitive labor force, and free trade access to markets with a population of 2.3 billion people. Additionally, Georgia offers additional incentives for companies, such as simplified business regulations, tax exemptions, and a streamlined registration process.
The aim of the upcoming roundtable is to provide attendees with insight into Georgia's investment climate and opportunities and encourage a dialogue about potential partnerships. The roundtable will be a business-focused event that will begin with a brief presentation and be followed by a Q&A session. The roundtable will be moderated by a char to ensure that the discussion stays on track and that everyone has a chance to contribute.
Overall, the roundtable will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to learn more about the investment potential of Georgia, as well as network with other like-minded business professionals. Whether you are already invested in Georgia or considering it as a future destination, this event will provide valuable information and resources to help you make informed decisions about your business.
Moderator:
Mr. Andreas Dressler, Managing Director, FDI Center
Welcome and Opening Remarks:
Mr. Mikheil Khidureli, Enterprise Georgia, CEO
Speakers:
Mr. Tornike Zirakishvili, Enterprise Georgia, Deputy CEO
Mrs. Nino Neparidze, International Projects ManagerModerator:
Mr. Andreas Dressler, Managing Director, FDI Center
Welcome and Opening Remarks:
Mr. Mikheil Khidureli, Enterprise Georgia, CEO
Speakers:
Mr. Tornike Zirakishvili, Enterprise Georgia, Deputy CEO
Mrs. Nino Neparidze, International Projects Manager

Attracting Institutional Investment: Why and How to Do It - WAIPA
As the government entities charged with attracting FDI, investment promotion agencies are increasingly being expected to widen their remits and engage institutional investors to drive investment in infrastructure and other public schemes and to help support development goals. These investors have a major role to play in achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and can be productive partners in public-private collaborations.
But attracting and facilitating institutional capital requires a different approach from what is traditionally used for corporate greenfield FDI. In this masterclass from WAIPA and Fingar Direct Investment, attendees will learn why institutional capital is an essential aspect of the future of FDI, how it can be channeled most productively, and what financial investors need from IPAs.
Workshop Leader:
Courtney Fingar, Senior Advisor, Europe, and Communications, WAIPA
Abstract:
Foreign direct investment is in a period of evolution and investment promotion is evolving with it.
Courtney Fingar WAIPA Senior Advisor, Europe, and Communications |

African IPA Dialogue
With a population of 1.3 billion and a GDP of close to $3 trillion, the African region has been making headlines for the massive investment potential it offers. The continent reported record FDI inflows in 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic weighing heavily on investment flows in the region in the previous year. However, Africa still accounts for only 5.2% of global FDI. The role of the African IPAs has now become even more crucial in reframing investor engagement with this continent.
Structured in an interactive, round-robin format, this one-hour intriguing session organized by KPMG and WAIPA would encourage African IPAs would be encouraged to candidly share their experiences and perspectives centered around the following contours:
- Leveraging ‘Digital’ – Ways in which technology is being embedded in IPA operations [IPA are requested to share innovation around digital medium]
- Fighting the battle of risk perception – New ways of brand promotion, communication & outreach in the region [moving away from traditional medium of heavy brochures, films, websites and how IPA are thinking the next gen technology mediums]
- Sustainable industrialization and economic diversification – Drawing investments in Focus Sectors [ IPAs are invited to their share their approach for attracting green, healthy and sustainable FDI
- Developing common denominator – the basic services which can be standardised and offered to IPA to meet their capacity constraint. [ Action oriented suggestions]
The session would not only help in drawing insights on the trends and patterns in functioning of African IPAs, but also demystify best practices which, in-turn would aid in cross-pollination of learnings and create pathways for institutional strengthening of IPAs in the region and draw specific learnings from the same.
Workshop Leader:
- Mohit Bhasin, Partner & Global Co-lead, Economic Growth, KPMG
- Dushyant Thakor, Deputy Executive Director, WAIPA
Mohit Bhasin KPMG Partner, Global Co-Lead of Economic Growth Practice |

WAIPA Steering Committee - Closed Meeting

UNIDO ITPO Offices Heads Meeting - Closed Meeting

Arab Ministerial Meeting - Closed Event

Invest in DRC: Unlock Opportunities in the Provinces
Aly Ramji General Partner at Humanity International Investments |
Anthony Nkinzo
Managing Director of the National Investment Promotion Agency, Anapi |
Jean Claude Mabenze Gouverneur Sub-Ubangi |
Désiré Nzinga |
H.E. Mr. Jean Lucien BUSA Minister of Foreign Trade |
Guy BANDU Governor of Central Kongo Province |
Jean Robert Nzanza Bombiti |
H.E. Mrs. Marie Ndjeka Opombo Ambassador of the DRC to the United Arab Emirates |
Malo Mobutu |
Rashed Al Teneiji Director of Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Economy - UAE |