Page 98 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

4/21/25, 10:11 AM AIM Congress 2025 concludes in Abu Dhabi, cementing UAE’s position as a global investment hub
The session opened with H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade,
AIM Congress President, who highlighted the UAE’s dynamic role in the global economy. He shared that
the UAE achieved non-oil foreign trade of AED 3 trillion in 2024, a record annual increase of 14.6%
compared to 2023, reflecting its successful diversification efforts. Furthermore, the UAE has signed 21

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) to date , underscoring the country’s
commitment to building long-term, stable, and inclusive trade partnerships. H.E. Al Zeyoudi emphasized
adaptability, neutrality in geopolitical tensions, and global collaboration based on shared interests and

economic alignment.

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 for the Republic of Costa Rica, emphasized collaboration
over fragmentation. “Trade must be built on shared standards and regulatory harmonization,” he noted.

Warning against the inefficiencies of regional isolation, he emphasized that real development stems
from transparency, coordination, and mutual respect among nations.

H.E. Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, brought a human-centered
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.”
His message was clear: “Find your strength, share it, and trade it.”

H.E. 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.

H.E. Zaher Al Qatarneh, Secretary General of the Ministry of Investment of Jordan, opened his

discussion by emphasizing the transformative potential of investment and trade operations. “Investment
is not just a financial mechanism; it’s about job creation, economic diversification, and empowering
youth and women,” he stated. Jordan’s improved legislative and digital frameworks are setting the
foundation for attracting quality investments, he said, noting that “cooperation—not isolation—is the key

to building lasting economic bridges.”

H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),
addressed the vulnerabilities in global supply chains and the urgency of diversification. “Predictability is
the cornerstone of investor confidence,” he stated. Mene stressed that Africa’s trade future lies in intra-

continental collaboration, regulatory harmonization, and industrial development. “AfCFTA is not just a

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