Page 412 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - DECEMBER 2024

1/3/25, 6:09 PM Investopia Tokyo explores investment and financing opportunities in Japanese markets in fintech, new economy
Innovation and technology collaboration
The fourth session, ‘Exploring the New Economy: Opportunities for Japan-UAE Collaboration in Innovation and
Technology,’ focused on the rise of the new economy across Asia, with discussions on innovations in AI, robotics, and
space, along with investments in fintech and digital assets.
UAE as investment destination
The fifth session, themed ‘The UAE Advantage as a Leading Investment Destination,’ underscored the key sectors
driving the UAE’s appeal to foreign investors and discussed opportunities for increased mutual investments between
the UAE and Japan in the near future. It also showcased key indicators demonstrating the continued growth of foreign
investments in the UAE, which ranked second globally after the United States in the number of new foreign direct
investment (FDI) projects in 2023, with 1,323 new projects – a 33 percent increase from 2022. Additionally, the UAE
saw FDI inflows of $30.688 billion in 2023, marking a robust 35 percent growth compared to the previous year.
The session was attended by H.E. Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Hawi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Investment;
H.E. Hareb Al Mheiri, executive director of The Investor Growth Sector at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO);
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC); and Mohamed
Sharaf, chief operating Officer (COO) for Investment Attraction at Dubai Economic Development Corporation
(DEDC), a subsidiary of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Additionally, ‘Investopia Tokyo’ hosted two roundtables. The first, titled ‘The UAE as a gateway to the Middle East:
Creating Opportunities for Japanese Investments,’ was attended by H.E. Bin Touq alongside a group of prominent
industry leaders, investors, and companies from Japan.
UAE’s competitive business edge
H.E. Bin Touq underscored the UAE’s highly competitive edge as a business hub, driven by flexible economic
regulations, including 100 percent foreign ownership, and its world-class infrastructure. These factors enable robust
investments across a range of key sectors like the new economy, manufacturing, clean energy, digital transformation,
fintech, and the circular economy.
Strategic location for global trade
H.E. Bin Touq also highlighted the UAE’s strategic location as a key economic gateway connecting East and West, as
well as a leading logistics hub for trade and investment across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. H.E. invited the
Japanese business community to capitalise on the growing investment opportunities in the UAE and expand their
projects within the country.
Collaborative growth in innovation
The second roundtable, themed ‘Entrepreneurship and Innovation: UAE-Japan Roundtable on Collaborative Growth,’
was attended by H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei and leaders from innovation centers, entrepreneurs, and investment funds
from Japan. The session focused on creating innovative systems to accelerate startup growth and help them become
leading companies that contribute to economic development. Participants also discussed strategies to drive innovation
and creativity in both countries, emphasizing the value of exchanging expertise and best practices to strengthen the
UAE and Japan’s positions as global leaders in technology and innovation.
‘Investopia Tokyo’ was held during the UAE delegation’s visit to Japan from December 17 to 19, marking the final
event of the 2024 Investopia Global Talks. In 2025, a new series of talks will be launched in key regional and global
markets, including Miami, Cyprus, Hungary, India, China. The third edition of ‘Investopia Europe’ will be held in
Milan while additional sessions will also be planned in several cities across Europe and Africa. These initiatives align
with Investopia’s vision to expand collaboration with global business communities and establish sustainable
partnerships worldwide.

https://economymiddleeast.com/news/investopia-tokyo-explores-investment-and-financing-opportunities-in-japanese-markets-in-fintech-new-economy/… 3/3