21-06-2025
Bahrain Hosts Launch of the World Investment Report 2025 Focused on International Investment in the Digital Economy
The MENA Centre for Investment, in collaboration with UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), proudly hosted the Bahrain launch of the World Investment Report 2025 today, 19th June 2025, at the Swiss-Belhotel Seef. This year's report, titled 'International Investment in the Digital Economy,' explores the growing importance of digitalization in shaping global investment flows. The report highlights key policy considerations for attracting digital investment and ensuring inclusive and sustainable development. The event featured a special presentation by Dr. Astrit Sulstarova, Chief of the Trends and Data Section at UNCTAD's Division on Investment and Enterprise, shared highlights and key findings from the report. His remarks underscored the importance of data-driven strategies, robust digital infrastructure, and enabling regulatory environments in the global investment landscape. The launch event brought together senior representatives from leading government and private sectors. Their participation reflects Bahrain's strong commitment to digital transformation and its positioning as a regional hub for innovation and investment. Dr. Zakaria Hajres, Chairman of the MENA Centre for Investment, reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to collaborating with UNCTAD in launching the World Investment Report annually and in strengthening Bahrain's position as a leading global destination for investment, and emphasised that Bahrain's inclusion in this prominent report reflects the success of national policies in creating a business-friendly and attractive investment environment. Dr. Hajres noted that the report highlights the Kingdom of Bahrain's progress across numerous indicators, pointing out its significance as investors around the world regard it a key reference when making investment decisions. Ms. Maryam Mattar of the MENA Centre for Investment highlighted the vital role of regional partnerships and public-private collaboration in advancing digital transformation and maximising the impact of digital investments, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to align with strategic priorities and drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in the MENA region. The event concluded with an invitation for ongoing dialogue and cooperation among policymakers, development institutions, and private sector leaders to align investment strategies with the evolving demands of the digital economy.
The report is considered one of the most prominent global publications in its field, offering a comprehensive analysis of foreign direct investment trends worldwide, while also examining developments at both the local and regional levels and highlighting emerging measures aimed at enhancing the role of investment in advancing sustainable development.
