AIM 2015 to focus on innovation, importance of FDI transactions in emerging market

By Sara Rajabova

Dubai continues to establish its prominent position at the intersection of world economies with the fifth edition of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) announced for March 30–April 1, 2015.

This year’s meeting will focus on the theme of: "Sustainable Development through foreign direct investment Induced Innovation and Technology Transfer" under the Patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,

"As we prepare for the fifth AIM 2015, we can see the return of optimism to the global economy after more than five years of daunting economic challenges. According to most analysts, global GDP is forecast to grow at 3 percent and 3.3 percent in 2014 and 2015 respectively," Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy said.

The fifth edition of AIM will be held at a time when the UAE has become a first class investment destination, with an increase in FDI flows, which took it to AED 387 billion in 2013.

One main FDI driver on a global scale is the need and the possibility to innovate. If innovation has been chosen as the main topic of discussion at AIM 2015, it is no surprise as it also comes at a time when the UAE was ranked first among Middle East countries in overall performance in 2014 according to the Global Innovation Index, published by Cornell University and the European Institute for Business Administration INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Organizers of AIM 2015 say the role of emerging markets is to provide an ideal economic environment for foreign investments, to overcome all logistical procedures and to ensure its continuity. Emerging markets are also required to invest in infrastructure and the services sector in order to create an ideal investment chain.

For AIM advocates it is however critical that emerging markets when dealing with FDI and multinational companies must do this in accordance with a clear strategy that makes transferring technology a priority. This includes an integrated study of the ability to acquire and adapt technology as well as the mechanisms intended for technological development.

"AIM 2015 will throw light on the ways and means to attract, retain and benefit from foreign investment, which in turn creates jobs and develops skills. It will teach how to enhance the technological contribution of foreign firms through education and specialized technological training as well as how spillovers and backward linkages can be realized," Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO of AIM's Organizing Committee said.

Across a dense and interesting conference schedule attracting speakers from across the world, AIM 2015 will address many pressing issues such as the policies and the regulatory frameworks needed, balancing intellectual property rights to effectively leverage FDI as a means to achieve transfer of technology; the equity and non-equity forms of global firms that favor the transfer of technology, know-how and skills; trends in FDI-related R&D and how to attract them and integrate global knowledge networks and role of incentives in attracting asset seeking FDI and best practices.

AIM is also an exhibition with over 500 exhibitors from sectors varying from IT to agrifood and telecommunications to medical technologies, as well as many others.

The second edition of AIM Investment Report will also be unveiled on the first day of the event. The report will provide an analysis of FDI trends and their implications in growing markets as well as highlight opportunities and challenges therein. Investment policies that are shaping the global FDI landscape and that promote innovation and the transfer of technology will be at the center of focus.

Last year’s annual meeting attracted over 11,356 visitors (nearly double the number from the previous year) from 112 countries. This year it is estimated that this figure will increase again with representatives of 140 countries having been invited.

Excitingly, the newly formed UAE Space Agency will also be showcased at the event and with UAE research teams planning to launch the first exploratory probe to Mars, the United Arab Emirates continues to mark its place on the world stage – and in a most innovative way.