After the success of the opening day, AIM-EURASIA Digital Edition – the first ever regional edition of the Annual Investor Meeting, in collaboration The Roscongress Foundation – concluded successfully today.
The two-day virtual conference ended on a positive note. It featured a variety of activities that sparked opportunities for generating investment, enhancing knowledge about regional and global economic issues and establishing local regional and international partnership.
On the second day of this event, high-level dignitaries attended, including His Excellence Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi. He is the UAE Minister of State responsible for Entrepreneurship and SMEs. H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mghawry is the First Undersecretary and Head of Egyptian Commercial Service at the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi is the Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. Dr. Zamani Sul, Premier of Northern Cape Provincial Government of South Africa.
In his keynote speech, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi UAE Minister of State Entrepreneurship and SMEs commended Annual Investment Meeting’s commitment to empowering SMEs in UAE and globally.
He said: “Over the years, the Annual Investment Meeting became the world’s most exciting event to reshape business landscapes and contribute to growth of economies all over the world. The platform has allowed businesses, multinationals and countries to focus on more than just foreign direct investment. It has helped them to focus on other important pillars that will propel economic productivity, such as the empowerment Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE and across the globe. The Annual Investment Meeting strategically collaborates with the Roscongress Foundation in order to support SMEs via AIM Eurasia 2020 and to serve as a platform to boost business competitiveness and value for investors around the world.
His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi emphasized that AIM EURASIA offers many opportunities to help SMEs grow.
He said: “Through AIM EURASIA we will share success stories and best practice of SMEs in UAE based on SME policies recommendations.” We would also like to use this event as a powerful forum to encourage partnerships among countries to take action towards the implementation of policies reforms to create a better environment for SMEs to grow.
“The UAE Government has implemented several economic stimulus measures and projects to meet the needs of SMEs in these difficult times. We would like to emphasize the importance of government responsiveness towards SME needs in AIM Eurasia and facilitate an improvement of public-private dialog at the national level to provide adequate resources for business continuity and expansion. The event aims to enhance policy dialogue and steer partnerships at the regional level. This is especially true for the Eurasian region and Russian regions.
He continued: “Recently the UAE ranked 11th on the World Bank’s Annual Ranking for ease of doing business. This shows the UAE as a great place for business expansion and is a very significant news for investors and entrepreneurs.” The UAE offers excellent incentives and infrastructure to businesses that are ready to invest. I would like to use this opportunity to encourage Eurasian SMEs explore the opportunities in the UAE. I believe that this will benefit SMEs at both the local and regional level, helping the global economy reach greater heights.”
“Finally, we strive to improve the collaboration of SME stakeholders in the Eurasian region and the UAE via AIM Eurasia.” I believe that this is the perfect time to discover great innovation together, use the best resources, maximize every potential in order to tackle the challenges we are facing at present.
H.E. In his speech, Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi (Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, ADDED) emphasized the collaborative efforts of Abu Dhabi with Russia to improve the global economy.
He said: “Abu Dhabi is working closely with Russia to help grow the global economy by stabilizing the oil market and OPEC. The expansion of our relationship has yielded tangible benefits, whether in trade and investments, tourism, security, or outer space. We have been able to grow together and create a multipolar society by encouraging non-proliferation and aligning our FinTech goals. We aim to see a strong top-line year-over-year growth in tourism, aviation, and hospitality in the coming year.
H.E. Al Hammadi discussed Abu Dhabi’s efforts to diversify its economic base and its efforts to assist different sectors and businesses. He also spoke about the importance of creating strong public-private partnerships to achieve sustainable growth.
He said: “Further enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a thriving FDI hub continues to be a major focus for Abu Dhabi Government. We support investors on every level, from regulatory changes like the new FDI Licence, which allows foreign investors to own 100 percent of their business, without the need for a partner in the UAE, or to operate in a business-free zone, to incentives to help startups scale innovative ideas. We aim to increase our FDI by 15 percent through policy changes that will attract new businesses.
“Startups, entrepreneurs and innovators continue to be an important part of Abu Dhabi’s plan to diversify the economy and progress towards a knowledge based model. In order to encourage growing businesses, a variety of incentives are offered. The Abu Dhabi government has boosted its support of companies that innovate in high-productivity areas such as agtech. healthech, fintech, and edtech.”
“As a part of these plans, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office launched its AED2bn ($544m) Innovation Programme. Its mandate is to support companies in future-oriented sectors such as agtech and financial services, health services, biopharma, and tourism, in addition to agtech.” Hub71 is a great incubator that offers a generous incentive package and enables investors, accelerators, and experts to come together.
As part of the Ghadan 21 accelerator program, businesses can benefit from a flexible and easy-to-navigate license system. The SME Credit Guarantee Scheme offers access to renewable financing and increased liquidity.”
“Abu Dhabi also recognizes the importance of strong public-private partnerships as a key factor in driving sustainable economic growth. In September last year, ADIO released new public-private contracting regulations that encourage private sector investment to deliver public sector infrastructure assets in Abu Dhabi.
The Conference Sessions of Day 2, which were led by high level speakers from different countries and international organizations, became highlights of the event. The FDI session focused on “Special Economic Zones in Economic Development of CIS Region”. It discussed the role that SEZs will play in the future, as a resilient and innovative option to industrial growth within the CIS Region. It also discussed green and sustainable design, operation and management of SEZs.
The SME Session focused on “Building Anticrisis Ecosystems for SMEs Resurrection and Sustainable Growth”, highlighting the way global economic shifts impact the ecosystems that SMEs need to develop. It also highlighted how SMEs could form the right partners, who can help them access markets globally and navigate the crisis.
The Startup Session examined “Edtech: Redefining the Education & Training Industry”. It also looked at edtech innovations, and what comes after virtual learning and virtual classrooms.
The FPI Session focused on “Sustainable Finance for Russia and the CIS”. This session aimed to understand the importance and potential of ESG (Environmental Social Governance) investments and how they can be further developed.
The Future Cities session discussed “Revamping Intelligent Transportation System for Enhancing Urban Mobility”. This highlighted the rise of environmentally-friendly urban mobility solutions, integrated shared mobility and measures taken by city government and private organizations to decrease the overall congestion, the benefits and accuracy AI, Big Data & Machine Learning in gathering intel, and deployment of autonomous transport and the role of human in a connected, automated world.
The One Belt, One Road Session entitled “The Belt and Road Suggestion a New Era of Eurasia Investment” discussed the vision and prospect for further investment in Greater Eurasia, the accomplishments and trends regarding infrastructure, agriculture, health care, and technology sectors along Belt and Road, and potential for economic integration in the new era.
On Day 2 of the edition with a regional focus, workshops were also held. The workshop “How to Develop Successful Smart City Model” (The Case of Skolkovo Innovation City), discussed the development and implementation of innovative technologies in smart cities. It also explored Skolkovo Innovation City, which provides optimal conditions for business and research as well as creating a rich urban environment.
The workshop session “Special Economic Zones: Boosting Sustainable Economic Recovery” addressed global FDI trends, opportunities, and how SEZs promote sustainable trade and investment. It also discussed new types of SEZs and global best practices.
The Investment Destination Presentations included the Northern Cape of South Africa, Azerbaijan, and Moscow, which were led by H.E. Sergey Cheremin is the Minister of Moscow City Government, Head of Department of External Economic and International Relations, and Alexander Prokhlov is the Head of Department of Investment and Industrial Policy of Moscow.
The AIM Eurasia Startup Presentation was also held, which included the top startups from different countries. This presentation aimed to help startups maximize their chances to attract funding and pitching their business ideas to an international audience.
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