Dubai draws FDI worth Dh17.7b in H1
dubai — Dubai on Tuesday launched the International Sustainable Investment Centre to promote investment that can have a positive impact on the economy, society and environment within and beyond Dubai.
The initiative was launched at the Dubai Investment Forum in the presence of Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Maktoum along with Sami Al Qamzi, director-general of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, and Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI, reviewed the ‘FDI Readiness 2021’ model — a future-driven policy agenda for Dubai. The model offers a framework for investment-related policy-making and assessing the impact of initiatives in attracting investment based on global indices.
Dubai has already attracted new FDI worth Dh17.7 billion in the first half of 2016. Last year, Dubai attracted Dh28.6 billion in FDI and the emirate ranked sixth globally in terms of FDI attraction. Dubai also stood fourth globally in the number of new investment projects.
Al Qamzi lauded the commitment of Dubai FDI towards providing quality services and consultancy to investors, particularly initiatives designed in response to investor needs and investment trends across global markets.
The Forum brought together public and private sector leaders to trace Dubai’s new growth cycle during which it aims to be among the smartest and most sustainable cities in the world.
Prominent growth initiatives and new investment opportunities arising in Dubai in light of Expo 2020 and the emirate’s potential in enabling business development and expansion to wider regional markets were in focus during the oneday Forum.
“The Dubai Investment Forum took a holistic view of Dubai’s investment readiness and the progress made by the emirate towards achieving the Dubai Plan 2021. Along with its strategic location, modern infrastructure and competitive business environment, the emphasis on knowledge economy, services, diversity and multiculturalism make Dubai an ideal investment destination,” said Al Gergawi.
“The Forum sought to attract investors to Dubai and connect them to neighbouring markets, spread over the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Generating new opportunities through co-ordination between various sectors, public-private sector partnerships, influencing future strategies and enabling investors to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities and demand in varied sectors such as energy, construction, real estate, healthcare and education in the region was the focus of the sessions at the Forum,” added Al Gergawi.
Discussions at the forum opened with a ‘Leaders Dialogue’ on ‘Dubai’s New Growth Cycle: Strategic Investment Opportunities.’ Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority; Hussain Nasser Lootah, directorgeneral, Dubai Municipality; and Dr Abdulla Al Karam, chairman of the board of directors and director-general of Knowledge and Human Development Authority, spoke of the potential in their respective domains.
— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com