Global trade and foreign direct investment unite for a prosperous economic future at AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (UAE), November  2024: As we’re moving towards 2025, it is evident that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and global trade landscapes are undergoing massive transformation driven by a mutual commitment to sustainability and innovation. The upcoming AIM Congress 2025, set to happen from April 7 to 9, 2025 in Abu Dhabi will serve as a fundamental platform for stakeholders to explore the interrelation between FDI under the theme “Navigating the Future of FDI: Overcoming Challenges, Seizing New Global Opportunities” and Global Trade under the theme “Digitizing the International Trade & the Sustainability and Transparency of Global Supply Chains” to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities associated with both, FDI and global manufacturing, in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the global investment landscape and develop actionable strategies to harness the potential of foreign direct investment and global trade to drive economic growth and attract more investments. 

Foreign Direct Investment is no longer just an investment from one country to another, but a powerful catalyst for growth which facilitates capital moment and technology transfer creating jobs across borders. The role of FDI is clearly becoming critical in enhancing productivity and fostering innovation in host countries as firms are looking to expand their operations globally. According to the World Investment Report 2024 issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the value of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to the UAE in 2023 amounted to USD 30.688 billion compared to USD 22.737 billion in 2022, to rank 2nd globally in FDI inflows. 

Global Trade is another key catalyst driving economic growth, extending beyond the simple exchange of goods across geographical borders, contributing to ground-breaking innovation and creating new opportunities worldwide. According to World Trade Statistics, the global trade market is expected to grow by almost 25% in 2025, projecting a growth rate of 3.3% from 2.6% this year (2024). 

Empirical results show that foreign direct investment abroad stimulates the growth of exports from countries of origin thus complementing global trade. The relationship between global trade and foreign investment (FDI) is therefore at the core of economic globalisation as they’re both key drivers of the global economy, and often complementary than competitive. 

In addition, central to the evolving landscapes of both, FDI and Global trade, is an emerging focus on sustainability as investors are increasingly prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria in search of opportunities that highly align with sustainable development goals. As H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi stated, “While the UAE is reinforcing our status as a global trade hub, it is imperative that we continue our growth in a sustainable manner to align with our nation’s development goals. We recognize the need to achieve sustainable development and develop integrated measures to fulfil economic, social and environmental objectives.” This commitment to sustainability addresses global challenges alongside opening new avenues for economic growth in emerging markets where such investments can lead to transformative change. 

Given the positive correlation between ESG initiatives and FDI inflows, moderated by trade openness, ESG initiates are emerging as pivotal tools for enhancing the attractiveness of host country’s economy to foreign investors while fostering long-term stability. Hence, the interplay between ESG and trade openness present a promising avenue for attracting foreign, as robust ESG performance boost investor confidence and are further amplified by open trade policies. By strategically integrating these elements, policymakers can effectively position their countries as attractive destinations for global investors, promoting a resilient and diversified economy aligned with sustainable development goals. 

The 14th edition of AIM Congress will be a leading platform with a blend of insights and discussions through well-executed exhibitions and conferences to keep exhibitors and attendees engaged and informed on the intricate relationship between FDI and Global trade in driving economic growth.  

AIM Congress 2025, an initiative of the AIM Global Foundation, is set to offer a wide range of activities, including events, forums, dialogue sessions, workshops, high-level meetings, the AIM Investment Awards and Exhibition, a startups competition, and showcase country-specific investment opportunities, highlighting eight key portfolios: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Global Trade, Startups and Unicorns, Future Cities, Future Finance, Global Manufacturing, Digital Economy, and Entrepreneurs