Latest news with #AnnualInvestmentMeetingCongress
The National
08-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Aim Congress 2025: UN says Middle East 'most important region for tourism performance'
The tourism arm of the UN has called the Middle East the 'most important' market for the sector's performance, amid a call to increase investments in the industry globally. The industry's growth in the region is being driven by robust investments in people and sustainability, Natalia Bayona, executive director of UN Tourism, said at the Annual Investment Meeting Congress in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Tourism is also helping create frameworks that can help boost economic growth, Ms Bayona said. While the Middle East offers 'cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, [it] also presents vibrant opportunities for tourism investments', Ms Bayona said in a video message at the event. 'Tourism is resilient and it's a dynamic force of the global economy … the Middle East is the most important region in the world when it comes to tourism performance.' UN Tourism released its new report at Aim Congress, which lays out four key dimensions – governance, economic, sociocultural and environmental – to serve as a comprehensive framework to achieve the goal of sustainable investment in the sector. The report calls for a range of measures such as co-operation between stakeholders and laws to respect cultural heritage and aims to 'support policymakers in steering the sector towards a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable path'. In the Middle East, investments by regional governments into tourism have become a major asset, Ms Bayona said, noting that leaders 'have assured that tourism is a state policy'. 'And thanks to the investments … we are seeing the strongest results in this region.' The Middle East welcomed about 95 million guests last year, 32 per cent more compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019 and 1 per cent higher than 2023, UN Tourism said in a January report – the best performer in markets tracked by the agency. Globally, there were more than 1.4 billion international travellers last year, which is 99 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and an 11 per cent surge from 2024, resulting in receipts hitting $1.6 trillion, which is 4 per cent higher compared to 2019, it added. 'Our ambition goes beyond recovery; we aim for transformation, [which] requires robust investments … but at the end of the day, [we aim] to create economic frameworks that can help to boost economic growth and to bring together this sector,' Ms Bayona said. Tourism is considered one of the strategic pillars in transitioning towards a new economic model, and nations in the Middle East have continued to enhance their offerings to attract more guests. On Monday, the UAE's Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq said that hotels in the Emirates recorded a 3 per cent annual rise in revenue to Dh45 billion ($12.3 billion) last year, reflecting a robust uplift in the country's tourism sector. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has also increased its focus on tourism by opening more entertainment venues, hosting sporting events and streamlining visa processes. These reflect the crucial role governments play in shaping the tourism investment landscape, which includes 'setting [a] field of priorities, providing transparent and predictable frameworks, and creating environments that stimulate investor confidence', said Samer Al Kharashi, director general of UN Tourism's Middle East unit. 'Moreover, policies must continuously adapt to involve market dynamics, emerging trends and shifting travel preferences. Equally important is recognising the vital role of the private sector as the main source of tourism investments,' he added. Technology is also playing a crucial role in developing the tourism sector, reshaping everything from investments to guest experiences, on the back of artificial intelligence, smart data systems and cloud-based platforms, said Matthew Stephenson, head of investments and services at the World Economic Forum. 'Destinations that invest in digital infrastructure, data capabilities and skills development will attract not only more investors, but also higher value investments,' he said. 'The choices we make now about where to invest in, who we invest with and how we measure success will define the future of the sector … governments play a central role in creating the enabling environment that investors need [with] transparent regulations, efficient procedures, strong governance and incentives.'
The National
07-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Markets in turmoil: 'This is the worst crisis – even worse than 2008'
Global markets have been rattled by US President Donald Trump's announcement of sweeping new tariffs on imports, fuelling fears of a renewed era of protectionism and a potential global recession. The move has introduced a minimum 10 per cent duty on all goods entering the US, with steeper levies on imports from countries with a large trade surplus with America. The move, framed by the Trump administration as a bid to 'rebalance global trade for the US', has caused alarm across industries and governments and among investors who view the move as a destabilising act amid an already fragile economic recovery. The shockwaves were immediate. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong plunged by 13.55 per cent – its steepest one-day percentage drop since the 1997 Asian financial crisis – while US indexes and European markets also recorded steep losses. The National asked industry experts on Monday, on the sidelines of the Annual Investment Meeting Congress in Abu Dhabi, for their views on the crisis. The message was clear: this could be the beginning of something far more serious than just a market correction. 'This is the worst crisis coming – even worse than 2008,' said Zayed bin Aweidha, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Investment Group. 'Former president [Barack] Obama spoke about it. This is a crisis which usually comes once a century. Before it was in 1929, now it is coming now.' Mr bin Aweidha compared the current environment to the Great Depression. 'The tariff is just the trigger. The problem is economical," he added. "Tariff is just the ignition – just like in 1929. Now, they are doing it again.' His warning comes amid growing consensus that markets are entering a dangerous phase, where policy uncertainty, inflation and geopolitical fragmentation exacerbate structural weaknesses left over from the Covid-19 pandemic. Central banks, having spent the past year focused on interest rates and inflation management, are now facing a new wave of volatility that could derail plans for stable growth. Investor confidence, which was already fragile, is eroding further. Nan Li Collins, senior director of the investment and enterprise division at UN Trade and Development, said foreign direct investment (FDI) had weakened for years and that was now set to worsen. 'From 2007 onwards, FDI has been stagnating already and then, recently, because of the increasing geopolitical divide, fracturing trends and the lack of investor confidence, FDI has been dropping,' she said. 'With the new tariff announced, it really adds on these problems. It exacerbates all these issues.' Ms Collins, said the unpredictability was making it difficult for multinational corporations to plan ahead. 'In general, investors want long-term stability ... so more investors are now [going to] really wait and see what's the next step. That delay is really not good.' The situation is particularly risky for critical infrastructure sectors such as water, sanitation and agriculture – areas that are underfunded in many parts of the developing world. 'The large infrastructure investment can't function on short-term certainty,' she said. 'You cannot just change [policy] in the middle of the investment.' Fahad Abdul Qader Al Qassim, director general of Awqaf Abu Dhabi, said the fallout was being felt already. 'It's a bloodbath. Whatever asset class you think of is bleeding today,' he said. 'Until things settle down and stabilise, it's normal that companies will panic. And governments will have to adjust accordingly.' Mr Al Qassim also warned that consumers would feel the effects. 'At the end of the day, someone will have to pay the price – and this person will be the consumer, unfortunately. Everything will be passed on.' While the digital sector has so far remained resilient – particularly in the US, where demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres continues to draw global capital – experts caution that this growth is not immune. 'The digital economy is very divided and concentrated between the US and China,' Ms Collins said. 'Middle East funds are still investing in US data centres and AI, but these are long-term commitments and constant policy changes erode trust.' Ms Collins suggested regional co-operation could offer a much-needed buffer against global uncertainty. 'If regional groupings start to build at least regional-level co-operation … they can really become a bigger market within themselves and then remove barriers and build up investor confidence.' Still, optimism was hard to come by. 'Now nobody knows what's going on. This is a hurricane which will take over many countries on the way,' Mr bin Aweidha said. 'This is not a game. This is an earthquake shaking the whole world.'
Gulf Today
06-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
AIM Congress highlights UAE's key position on global investment map
The Annual Investment Meeting Congress (AIM Congress) officially commenced with a dynamic series of pre-event workshops, offering in-depth learning, practical tools, and strategic networking opportunities across a broad spectrum of economic and technological disciplines. The workshops, held under various dedicated portfolios, set the tone for the main congress by delivering tangible value to participants through real-world applications and expert-led sessions. Presidents of countries, more than 60 ministers and central-bank governors, 30 city mayors, 1,250 speakers, 16 global financial market representatives, and 600 exhibitors have confirmed their participation in AIM Congress 2025, which shows the congress's significance as a leading global investment platform and underscores the UAE's prominent position on the global investment map. AIM Congress attracts 20,000 participants from 180 countries worldwide to explore the latest trends and developments in the global investment landscape, address current and future challenges, consolidate global collaboration and work together to develop innovative solutions that will promote a balanced, sustainable global economy. AIM Congress 2025 will feature a diverse range of events, including forums, panel discussions, workshops, high-level meetings, an exhibition, AIM Investment Awards, Startup Pitch Competition, AI World Championship, country investment destination, AIM Business Incubator and AIM Investment Fund. The panel discussions and events fall under eight portfolios: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Global Trade, Startups and Unicorns, Future Cities, Future Finance, Global Manufacturing, Digital Economy, and Entrepreneurs. The congress will cover diverse sectors, including intelligent agriculture, energy, infrastructure, finance and capital markets, ICT, manufacturing, medical tourism, biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, international trade, logistics and transportation, water technology, tourism and education. Foreign Direct Investment Portfolio: Strategic Municipal Planning GDP Global and DAJANI Consulting hosted the workshop 'How to Implement a Municipal Investment Promotion Plan', guiding participants through the development of strategic frameworks to attract and retain investments. The session emphasized sustainable growth, public-private partnerships, and targeted sectoral development. Attendees gained the capability to structure investment strategies that enhance job creation, regulatory climates, infrastructure development, and municipal service delivery. Entrepreneurs Portfolio: Advanced Sales and Market Expansion Under this portfolio, SALES CUBICLE delivered the workshop 'B2B Sales Mastery: Unlock growth and Maximize your business value,' which introduced participants to the Cold Cubicle Method, an approach integrating AI-driven sales tools and automation strategies. The session provided an actionable structure for optimizing outreach and building consistent revenue pipelines, focusing on practical engagement techniques in today's evolving sales environment. The FOUNDERS INSTITUTE followed with 'Market Access Strategies: Enhancing SMEs' Export Competitiveness & Business-to-Business Growth.' This session equipped SME leaders with the tools to enter international markets, refine their export approaches, and cultivate B2B relationships through interactive case studies and strategic planning. Startups and Unicorns Portfolio: Growth, Innovation, and Fundraising The first workshop, 'How Corporates And Startups Can Unlock Value Across The Middle East & Africa', was led by Thaheer Mullins, CEO of DALA For Africa. It examined the transformative impact of affordable African innovations and their ability to address corporate challenges and drive competitive growth across regions. DREAM VC conducted the workshop 'Harnessing a Venture Mindset to Corporate Growth – Merging Old and New Worlds: External Innovation, Digital Transformation, CVC, and More,' highlighting the benefits of integrating external innovation and venture thinking into corporate structures to meet the demands of digital transformation and market disruption. Industry experts from Exits Mena delivered 'Pitching to Deal Closure – Unlocking the Secrets to Fundraising Success,' an intensive session designed to prepare startups and SMEs for the investment process, from pitch development to negotiation strategies. The session offered role-playing experiences and case study analysis to sharpen participant fundraising capabilities. TICK & TALK concluded the portfolio with 'The Power of Presence: Mastering Public Speaking & Pitching for Business Owners in Investment Landscapes,' focusing on enhancing communication, storytelling, and presentation techniques for business leaders looking to attract investment.
