Page 91 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

The event also featured 588 exhibitors and hosted 12,341 B2B, G2B and G2G meetings,
emphasising its role as a major platform for networking and business opportunities.

The programme also featured 13 roundtable meetings and 34 side forums. Additionally, 47 MoUs
were signed, reflecting the event's role as a catalyst for strategic global collaboration and
investment partnerships.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and President of AIM Congress,
praised the congress's outcomes, describing them as milestones in the platform's journey. He
emphasised that the unprecedented participation of global leaders and decision-makers reflects
the UAE's expanding role as a global hub for economic dialogue and investment.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi also highlighted that the congress's success coincides with the UAE's record-
breaking achievements in foreign trade, a testament to the country's economic resilience and
progressive trade policies. "AIM Congress is not only a platform for communication, but an effective
tool for steering the course of global economic development toward a more sustainable and
prosperous future.", he stated.
Dawood Al Shezawi, President of AIM Global Foundation, emphasised that achieving success in
organising such a globally inclusive edition in Abu Dhabi reinforces the UAE's reputation as a pivotal
meeting point for shaping the future of the global economy.

The high-level Ministerial Session on International Trade discussed the role of open trade policies
and international trade agreements in shaping the future of open markets, regional cooperation,
and sustainable economic integration.

Moderated by Soraya Gargash, Principal Researcher at the UAE Ministry of Economy, the panel
engaged in a robust dialogue on how open trade policies and international trade agreements can
drive prosperity, foster stability, and serve as a tool for innovation and inclusion.

H.E. Nougi Acosta Jaen, Minister of Finance of Costa Rica, emphasised collaboration over
fragmentation. "Trade must be built on shared standards and regulatory harmonisation," he noted.
He emphasised that real development stems from transparency, coordination, and mutual respect
among nations.

Todd McClay, New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment, brought a human-centred
perspective to trade policy. "Trade is about people—farmers, workers, small businesses," he said.
He cited New Zealand's partnership with Mexico as a model of mutually beneficial trade, noting that
trade agreements are not merely legal instruments, but bridges that "create value, culture, and
connection."

Laura Gonzalez Hernandez, Minister of Economic Development for the State of Mexico, presented
Mexico as a prime example of how strategic policy and diversified trade can drive innovation.
"Mexico is not only a country of potential—we are a country of action," she said. By leveraging trade
agreements and investing across sectors from agriculture to life sciences, Mexico is building an
inclusive, opportunity-driven economy anchored in innovation and geographic connectivity.

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bj4i033-aim-congress-2025-concludes-abu-dhabi