The Annual Investment Meeting started on a strong note on the morning of May 10, 2011 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Center. Inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the event delivered more than expected.

Amidst powerful statements made during the Opening Ceremony on the status of FDI delivered by none less than the Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), Alessandro Teixeira, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of Brazil and President of WAIPA (World Association for Investment Promotion Agencies), many words of congratulations poured to thank Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade for hosting the event.

In her introductory address, Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi reasserted the prominence of the UAE in reenergizing trade and investments worldwide. “The UAE economic empowerment started with the exceptional leadership and strategic visions of His Highness  Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Head of State, and his brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Well-planned government guidelines and strategies, a competitive economy and an advanced trade status have also contributed to the UAE’s emergence as a bridge between East and West. Since then, it is worth noting that the UAE has highly committed to enhancing its resources through economic diversification and foreign investment promotion throughout the region. We have created and maintained in the Emirates a highly favorable business and investment climate. The efforts of these organizations have been instrumental in many of the UAE’s achievements, such as ranking 25th out of 139 countries in the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum in 2010, 40 out of 183 countries in the Doing Business Report issued by the World Bank, and 1st among Arab countries and 16th worldwide in the Global Trade Enabling Report 2010 issued by the World Economic Forum.”

“The Annual Investment Meeting does not only matter for the region, this is an important global platform for FDI” said His Excellency Armen Gevorgyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Armenia. He centered his speech on the drastic policy and strategy changes Armenia is implementing now to keep ahead of the global race for competitiveness. “Education, science and technology–focused investments have become consequential and paramount to our long term economic strategy. The continuous shift in world economy changed and transformed the relationship between investors’ countries and the host economies.

His Excellency Alessandro Teixeira stance on FDI trends & AIM echoed one of the Armenian deputy Prime Minister although he emphasized some core macro-economic and social principles: “All countries need investment, incomes and jobs! 

Creating new horizons in emerging markets has become the motto of the Annual Investment Meeting; its triumph lied in its ability to create well adjusted combination of high powered panel discussions and enriched country-focused presentations.

Please see the link for the Annual Investment Meeting 2011 Post Show Report.