Page 509 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

4/14/25, 4:29 PM Aim Congress 2025: UAE doubles down on sustainable investment pledge amid global challenges | The National
Those investments have powered several international projects, particularly in developing
countries, in sectors such as infrastructure and renewable energy, in addition to modernising

industries, providing education and improving health care, which are vital to those markets, Dr

Al Zeyoudi said.

The country attracted $30.68 billion of FDI inflows in 2023, an annual growth of 35 per cent, the
report added.

The UAE was also ranked in the Unctad report as the largest market after the US for greenfield
foreign direct investment in 2023, as it continues to boost business with investor-friendly

policies. Greenfield FDI involves a company establishing operations in another country by
building new structures from the ground up.

"These figures represent real ventures, real jobs and real transformations,” the minister said.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements the UAE has negotiated with a number

of countries have also been a vital cog in the flow of investments.

The country has concluded 27 deals as part of the Cepa initiative. In 2025 alone, the UAE

signed five deals – with Malaysia, New Zealand, Kenya, Ukraine and the Central African
Republic.

It is also in the final stages of negotiations with several major economies including Japan, with
talks expected to conclude before the end of 2025, state news agency Wam reported last

month.

The Cepa programme has helped the UAE hit record non-oil trade of $817 billion in 2024,

marking a 14.6 per cent annual increase.

These Cepas are "connecting exporters to global opportunities and creating platforms for joint

ventures and private sector collaboration”, Dr Al Zeyoudi said.

The 2025 Aim Congress is expected to welcome more than 20,000 delegates from 180

countries. Vahagn Khachaturyan and Denis Sassou Nguesso, the Presidents of Armenia and
the Republic of the Congo, respectively, were in attendance on Monday.

Sustainable City 2.0 unveiled

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