Page 674 - INVESTOPIA ENGLISH PR REPORT FEBRUARY - MARCH 2025

Economic Affairs at the Arab League, Khalid bin Ali bin Salem Al-Sunaidi, Assistant 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.

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bieay71-investopia-hosts-inaugural-business-investors