Page 272 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT- NOVEMBER 2024

11/26/24, 10:12 AM Global Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Unite for a Prosperous Economic Future at AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi
Global Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Unite

for a Prosperous Economic Future at AIM Congress

2025 in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (UAE), 21 November 2024: As we near 2025, the landscapes of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
and global trade are undergoing significant transformation, fuelled by a shared commitment to sustainability and
innovation.

The AIM Congress 2025, set to take place from April 7-9 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, will
serve as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to explore the interplay between FDI and global trade under the
themes: “Navigating the Future of FDI: Overcoming Challenges, Seizing New Global Opportunities” and
“Digitizing International Trade: Sustainability and Transparency in Global Supply Chains.” The Congress will
address the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities to shape actionable strategies that maximize the potential
of FDI and global trade to drive economic growth and attract investment.

FDI today is more than just capital exchanged between countries; it’s a powerful catalyst for growth, facilitating
cross-border capital movement, technology transfer, and job creation. As firms increasingly expand their
operations internationally, FDI plays an essential role in enhancing productivity and fostering innovation within
host countries. According to the World Investment Report 2024 from UNCTAD, FDI inflows to the UAE reached
USD 30.688 billion in 2023, compared to USD 22.737 billion in 2022, positioning the UAE as the world’s
second-largest recipient of FDI inflows.

Global trade, similarly, is a vital engine for economic growth, extending beyond the exchange of goods across
borders to spur innovation and create new opportunities worldwide. Projections indicate a 25% growth in the
global trade market by 2025, with a rise in the growth rate from 2.6% in 2024 to 3.3% in 2025.

Research highlights that outbound FDI stimulates export growth in origin countries, creating a symbiotic
relationship between global trade and FDI. Together, they are key drivers of economic globalization,
complementing each other to foster expansive economic growth rather than competing.

Sustainability has emerged as a critical focus within FDI and global trade, as investors increasingly prioritize
environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to align with sustainable development goals. As H.E. Dr.
Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, emphasized, “While the UAE
solidifies its status as a global trade hub, sustainable growth is paramount to achieving our national development
objectives. We are committed to balancing economic, social, and environmental goals to address global
challenges and unlock new avenues of growth, especially in emerging markets where such investments can be
transformative.”

The positive link between ESG initiatives and FDI inflows—amplified by open trade policies—makes ESG
strategies instrumental in enhancing the appeal of host countries to foreign investors, while promoting long-term
stability. As strong ESG performance boosts investor confidence, policymakers who strategically integrate ESG
with trade openness position their economies as resilient and attractive destinations for global capital, fostering
diversified growth aligned with sustainable development.

The 14th edition of AIM Congress will offer a dynamic mix of exhibitions, conferences, and interactive sessions
to keep exhibitors and attendees engaged in discussions on how FDI and global trade drive economic growth.

https://uaenews4u.com/2024/11/21/global-trade-and-foreign-direct-investment-unite-for-a-prosperous-economic-future-at-aim-congress-2025-in-abu-d… 1/2