Page 282 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

3/4/25, 3:40 PM Investopia Hosts Inaugural Business & Investors Conference For Arab Countries, Central Asia & Azerbaijan | Pakistan Point
Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC Secretariat, Tarek Sherif,
Vice President of the Arab Businessmen Federation, Shukhrukh Gulamov, Deputy Minister of
Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, and Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister of Economy
of Azerbaijan, also attended the session.

Bin Touq emphasised that Investopia's hosting of this economic event reflects the UAE’s and the
Ministry of Economy’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation across
the Arab and Asian regions, particularly in new economy sectors. He highlighted that the
conference serves as a crucial platform for fostering sustainable economic partnerships,
enhancing connectivity among Arab and Asian business communities, and maximizing economic
and investment growth opportunities.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi underlined that the UAE's selection as the host for this
international event reflects its growing influence in global trade and investment. He affirmed the
country’s commitment to reinforcing collaboration with Arab and Asian partners in alignment with
the strategic objectives of We the UAE 2031, further solidifying its status as a global trade
partner and an attractive economic hub.
Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei stated: The conference serves as a key milestone in
strengthening ties between Arab and Asian nations in entrepreneurship and small and medium
enterprises (SMEs). It also offers an essential opportunity to spotlight the UAE’s competitive
ecosystem for startups and entrepreneurship.

In his keynote address, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri highlighted the region’s dynamic economies
and rapid growth potential. He noted that non-oil trade between Arab nations
and Asia surpassed $10 billion in 2023, with further growth expected in the coming years. He
also emphasized the UAE’s role as a vital gateway for investment and trade with
Central Asia and Azerbaijan, pointing out that the UAE’s non-oil trade with Azerbaijan exceeded
$1.5 billion in 2022, while trade with Central Asia exceeded $3 billion.
He outlined four key areas for economic collaboration:, green energy and sustainability,
particularly in solar and wind power; technology and artificial intelligence to drive industrial
innovation and economic growth; trade facilitation and logistics through investment in advanced
trade corridors and logistics networks; and food security as a strategic domain for cooperation
among regional economies.
The conference witnessed the organization of two discussion sessions. The first session
‘Regional Corridors and Creating Business Opportunities’ addressed the importance of regional
corridors in promoting global trade, facilitating the flow of investments across borders,
addressing the challenges facing supply chains, and the role of the multilateral trading system in
providing new opportunities for exporters, manufacturers and investors. The session was
attended by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Samir Obeid, Minister of Trade and Export
Development of Tunisia, Sid Ahmed Abouh, Minister of Economy and Finance of Mauritania, and
Samad Beshirili, Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasised the pivotal role of trade corridors in boosting economic flows
between emerging and developed markets, creating new opportunities for businesses and
investors.

The second session titled ‘The New Economy in the Region: Artificial Intelligence, Waste
Management and Food Security’ discussed developments in the new economy sectors in the
region, their role in enhancing the growth and sustainability of economies, how to strengthen
cooperation to create diverse paths that support encouraging countries to invest and expand in

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