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Abu Dhabi has launched a programme inviting all talented professionals, students and investors to settle down with their families in the UAE capital.

Called Thrive in Abu Dhabi, the initiative seeks to develop key sectors such as culture, healthcare, research and development (R&D), and real estate.

It offers long-term visas that may translate to the coveted UAE citizenship for talented expatriates in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment, while contributing to Abu Dhabi’s sustainable development.

“Creative talent are encouraged to be part of a global arts and culture hub, join the emirate’s dynamic media and the entertainment industry, or support the development of our understanding of the past among fellow academics, conservators and archaeologists,” an official release stated.

“The creative visa builds on the five-year Culture Sector Strategy for Abu Dhabi, unveiled in November 2019 by the Department of Culture and Tourism, which covers five strategic objectives: preserve and sustain its cultural heritage; increase awareness of, and engagement with, cultural heritage and the arts; stimulate creativity as a driver for education and social change; build and enable capacity in its culture sector; contribute to economic growth and diversification.”

Abu Dhabi has a thriving cultural and creative sector with strong global credentials. They include world-class museums, art centres, art fairs, music concerts, and a grassroots artistic community.

The Capital also boasts the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Warehouse241, Abu Dhabi Art annual fair, Qasr Al Hosn and Cultural Foundation and the forthcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim — not to mention international educational institutions supporting students to excel in creative activities such as NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, Berkley College, and CNN Academy.

Students especially have opportunities galore. Those pursuing a PhD or have promising scientific ability at either high school or university level, can expand their horizons and ensure exciting career paths by studying at one of a collection of world-class academic institutions in Abu Dhabi such as NYUAD, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and Khalifa University.

Students can also learn the skills of the future, including in specialist areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), at the new Mohamed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence, or coding at 42 Abu Dhabi.

They can participate in pioneering research in areas related to Covid-19 and farm technology at UAE University, or focus on tolerance and coexistence at the world’s first university dedicated to the human fraternity, the Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities.

Thrive in Abu Dhabi also invites innovators to turn their ideas into reality — with access to funding and incentives — as part of a dynamic R&D ecosystem that is pioneering new technologies to solve the global challenges of the future, from water security to food technology.

As part of Abu Dhabi’s accelerator programme, Ghadan 21, the Department of Education and Knowledge has launched academic research grants to award Dh40 million in competitive research funding to support R&D.

Details about the programme — including the long-term visas and paths to citizenship — can be found at https://tamm.abudhabi/en/Golden-Visa or by calling 02-6664442 (outside UAE) or 800 555 (within UAE).

source: zawya

Khazna, the UAE's largest supplier of commercial wholesale data centre services, to increase capacity five-fold by 2025

Khazna, the UAE’s largest supplier of commercial wholesale data centre services, has announced major expansion plans to support the country's digital ambitions.

The company said it will build multiple new data centres and increase its capacity five-fold over the next four years to provide vital infrastructure as companies and the government agencies accelerate digitisation.

Khazna operates two data centres in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai with a combined capacity of 40 megawatts, with plans to have a total of 200 megawatts of IT load capacity by 2023.

Multiple new data centres will be built in locations across the UAE and additional capacity will be increased at its current sites.

Hassan Al Naqbi, CEO of Khazna, said: “This significant expansion will support the economic ambitions of the UAE in the coming years.

“The UAE government and private sectors are pressing ahead with digital transformation, which has gathered pace in the last year through necessity. The experience of remote working and the growth of online services during the global pandemic has underlined the importance of robust, state-of-the-art digital infrastructure."

He added: "Demand for flexible, scalable and secure data storage is increasing rapidly, and this trend will continue as smart city and smart government projects gather momentum, cloud computing adoption grows and 5G networks are rolled out.”

Khazna, which was established in 2012, has grown rapidly into one of the leading data centre providers in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Khazna said with the focus on enabling hyperscalers, its new data centres will ensure that market demands are fully met while maintaining customer satisfaction excellence and trust.

source: arabianbusiness

Khazna, the UAE's largest supplier of commercial wholesale data centre services, to increase capacity five-fold by 2025



Dubai-based Rising Giants Community (RGN), a bilingual podcasting community, has secured a $1 million funding deal, led by Triangle Media, Barry Kirsch Productions and angel investor Mentioned Al Sayyed.

The corporate was based in early 2020 by Basel Anabtawi, podcaster and host of the ‘Basel Meets’ podcast, Barry Kirsch and Bashar Najjar. It scripts, produces and builds audio experiences in Arabic and English.

RGN shortly topped the charts in numerous classes quick after its launch, because it supplied plenty of Arabic exhibits together with Amalikat Al Tareek (Highway Giants) with F1 host Firas Al Nimri, Sehtak Aham (Higher Well being) with health influencer Baraa Al Sabbagh and Rihlat Al Mosara’a (Wrestling Experience) with wrestling commentators Faisal Al Meghaisib and Yusef Callaway, along with English present Legendary Rock Tales.

Basel Anabtawi, CEO of RGN, stated: “The worldwide podcasting business has just lately witnessed vital milestones with Amazon buying podcasting big Wondery for $300 million, and Spotify licensing The Joe Rogan Expertise solely for $100 million. There’s an engaged viewers of almost seven million people who find themselves in search of top-notch exhibits to get into, and the time to put money into rising this base within the area is now.

“With this funding, RGN is nicely positioned to be the main audio story-telling firm within the area. With a different slate of exhibits in growth, we’re assured that we will attain that aim and produce exhibits that may enchantment to different viewers teams from all backgrounds,” he added.

source: introducestartups

UAE-based e-commerce enabler Zbooni, has raised a $5 million Series A funding round led by an undisclosed London-based fund.

Founded in 2017, Zbooni enables small merchants to easily start, run and grow their businesses online, providing them with a range of business-focused services, such as mobile invoicing and payment solutions, digital storefronts in its marketplace, data insights, automated sales tracking and invoicing.

It initially started out as a chat commerce venture enabling payments via WhatsApp before launching its new e-commerce enablement services, signaling the growing demand for online selling.

Zbooni said that it had recorded a rapid acceleration in 2020, including 600 per cent in customer growth. It currently supports thousands of merchants, processing tens of millions of dirhams every month and has enabled its merchants to serve more than 150,000 customers.

Zbooni will use the funding to grow its team and fuel its expansion across its home market as well as in the Saudi and Jordanian markets.

“Zbooni is on a mission to help provide access to digital commerce tools, ultimately supporting our merchants to start, run and grow their business.

While we wish to keep the investor undisclosed, their reputation and track record speaks for itself, they have previously invested in some of the most successful emerging market growth stories - operating a fund of well over $1billion in assets under management.

Through this support, Zbooni will invest in people to develop even better products for our merchants and enhance the customer experience with best-in-class technology,” said Ramy Assaf, Zbooni CEO and co-founder.

The company was incubated at Facebook, the world’s largest social media network, and is backed by regional and international organisations, including Chalhoub Group, Middle East Venture Partners and B&Y Venture Capital.

“Our customers are the real heroes of this story, and we’re just scratching the surface of what we’re able to help them do,” said Assaf.

“We believe there remain millions of SMEs still left severely underserved across our geographies – we are here for them.”

source: wamda

The continued growth in the licensing movement of economic activities reflects the solid confidence of local and foreign investors in the national economy

A total of 9,913 new business activities licenses were issued across all the emirates of the country during the first week of 2021, according to the latest data from the National Economic Register (NER).

The continued growth in the licensing movement of economic activities reflects the solid confidence of local and foreign investors in the national economy, which has demonstrated a high ability to face challenges and turn them into opportunities, with the support of initiatives and stimulus packages launched by the federal and local governments to spur economic growth.

According to the NER's statistics, the project management services licenses lead the top economic activities positively affected by the economic incentives.

source: .zawya

 

United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates has relaxed and removed a range of limits on foreign ownership of companies, state-run media reported Monday, in the country’s latest bid to boost its global status and attract foreign investors. The overhaul signals yet another startling change for the federation of seven desert sheikhdoms as it grapples with the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Earlier this month, the UAE announced a series of reforms to its Islamic legal code, allowing unmarried couples to cohabitate, improving protections for women and loosening restrictions on alcohol consumption.

The country's Islamic “personal” laws had at times flown in the face of the freewheeling image that the UAE, with its 8 million foreigners and just 1 million Emiratis, sought to project to the world.

The dramatic changes come as the UAE has spent billions of dollars preparing to host some 25 million visitors for the World Expo, which was pushed back to 2021 because of the pandemic. The emirates also expect Israelis to join the legions of foreigners who have opened up businesses and bought apartments in the coastal cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi following a breakthrough U.S.-brokered normalization deal between the countries.

Dubai in particular, which was teetering on the brink of an economic downturn before the pandemic thanks to a weak real estate market, is eager for the influx of capital and travelers. COVID-19 has battered its economy, which draws largely from the tourism, hospitality and aviation industries.

The presidential decree that alters the corporate law helps the UAE “strengthen its leading position regionally and globally as an attractive destination for projects and companies,” state-run WAM news agency reported.

The reforms allow foreign entrepreneurs and investors to set up their own companies without involving local shareholders, the agency said. That's a welcome development for the country’s many expatriates who long had their ownership capped at 49% in firms outside free zones.

Other legal amendments remove quotas requiring that Emiratis hold the majority of board positions and serve as chairs for onshore companies. Companies that want to be publicly traded will be able to sell up to 70% of their shares instead of the current 30% limit.

The amendments will certainly diminish the appeal of 45 “free” zones across the UAE, where those wanting to avoid local-hiring quotas and retain full foreign ownership would set up shop.

The move deals a major blow to longstanding rentier benefits for Emirati citizens, many of whom made their livings as figurehead company partners. Still, no one expects public resistance from locals.

Some 80% of Emiratis work in the public sector and receive generous salaries and subsidies. They closely hew the government line in the hereditarily ruled sheikdom. Political parties and labor unions remain illegal.

State-linked newspaper The National reported the decree in further detail, saying the foreign ownership amendments would take effect within six months. Companies could take an entire year to start complying with the changes, it added.

source: usnews

The authority said the violators of residency laws can avail of exemption from all fines and other administrative restrictions

The Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA) on Thursday explained procedures of benefitting from the grace period granted to the visa violators.

In a tweet on its official account, the authority said the violators of residency laws can avail of exemption from all fines and other administrative restrictions.

This is applicable only to the violations occurred before March 1 and the last date of exemption is December 31.

Residence visa violators should book an air ticket with a departure date before December 31 and arrive at the airport with the ticket and passport four hours before the departure time.

Visit visa holders with their visas expired before March 1, who travel out of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah airports, should reach the airport at least six hours before the departure time to avail of the amnesty programme.

Those who travel through Dubai and Al Maktoum airports will have to report at the Dubai Civil Aviaion Security Centre 48 hours before the departure time.

The authority also said that the violators who have dependants under their sponsorship should depart with their dependants.

source: zawya

 

Available in: Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese.

Under the theme “ Reimagining Economies: The Move Towards a Digital, Sustainable and Resilient Future. “

>> Economy Ministers: The launch of AIM digital edition is a new success story for the UAE that reflects its readiness to develop economic work according to innovative models

>> Bin Touq: The UAE has established its position as a leading global destination for qualitative projects and investment in the new economy sectors

>> Al Falasi: The event, in its virtual edition, is a greater opportunity for entrepreneurs to share knowledge and enhance access to global markets

>> Al-Zeyoudi: AIM will focus on discussing new methods of business sustainability, enhancing investment partnerships and increasing their diversification

 

Abu Dhabi, (,,, september2020) – Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, The Annual Investment Meeting, organized by the UAE Ministry of Economy, scheduled to be held from 20th to 22nd October 2020, under the theme “ Reimagining Economies: The Move Towards a Digital, Sustainable and Resilient Future.”

 

As the very first digital edition of the Annual Investment Meeting, AIM Digital will be the first mega digital event in the region to surmount the COVID -19 pandemic that will set a new benchmark for future virtual events in the UAE. It will utilize digital technology to create, showcase, and facilitate new investment opportunities for investors from different parts of the world, providing boundless possibilities across diverse sectors leading towards economic recovery, transformation, and sustainability.

To continue AIM’s mission of creating a roadmap to build a resilient future for the global economy despite the current pandemic, the three-day digital event will support and strengthen the investment environment and generate the most attractive and secure investment projects and opportunities for investors.

 

In this regard, His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, said: “The Annual Investment Meeting is an important global platform that brings together officials, experts, investors and major local, regional and international companies to exchange ideas and experiences and work together to develop the investment climate and link stakeholders to enhance development opportunities and come up with innovative solutions. The UAE has managed over the past years to consolidate its position as a pioneering and attractive investment destination for value-added projects, especially in the new economy sectors, and the country has also succeeded in developing its capabilities in planning and anticipating the future, and developing proactive solutions to enhance the resilience of its national economy in the face of global economic changes.

 

His Excellency added that the UAE government launched a comprehensive plan of 33 initiatives to support all economic sectors in the country and create a more flexible economic environment capable of generating diverse and sustainable opportunities, and encouraging investment in future sectors, especially digital transformation, advanced industries, applications of modern technology, research, development and innovation.” He said that the development of a digital model for a global platform for dialogue, such as the annual investment forum, is gaining great importance under the current circumstances and strengthens the country's ability to review its future vision and promote the opportunities offered in its priority sectors to attract and attract investments to it through innovative means.

 

His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, said: “The UAE continues its pioneering role as a hub for trade, investment development and business activities, whether in its local markets or at the regional and global levels, and is confirmed today by launching the first digital version of the Investment Forum. Its ability to adapt to the changes in the economic landscape and find innovative solutions to various challenges, such as those that we are witnessing today as a result of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of adopting new methods in economic activity, stressing that the establishment of the forum hypothetically at this huge level with the participation of 170 countries represents a new success story that reflects the readiness of the country's economic and trade system to rapidly shift towards digital activities and adopt a more competitive, resilient and sustainable economic model.

 

Al Falasi added that the Annual Investment Meeting has provided over the past years a pioneering platform to support emerging companies and small and medium enterprises. His Excellency explained by saying: “We will work through this year's edition of AIM to continue supporting and encouraging entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises by providing them with vital channels for communication with their counterparts in other participating countries to acquire new ideas and knowledge, exchange experiences and attend relevant exhibitions, as well as to establish partnerships and open new markets for their products and services, and this would immediately reflect on their commercial success and their ability to continue and expand. ” stressing that the transition to the digital model this year It will allow for wider participation from different countries of the world and will thus increase opportunities for cooperation and growth for entrepreneurs.

“This year's Annual Investment Meeting, in its first digital edtion of its kind, is being held under unusual circumstances that the global economy is going through that requires intensifying dialogue and creating new links that support commercial and investment activities in various world markets.” He explained that the event will focus on discussing the countries and institutions efforts to provide new solutions and measures that support sustainability, business continuity and flexibility in facing various challenges. said His Excellency Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.

His Excellency added: “Through this year's edition of AIM, we will make sure to allow businessmen and capital owners to meet and conclude strategic agreements and partnerships, and to open new and vital channels for work in various investment fields, explaining that the forum’s agenda for this year will be rich in sessions, dialogues and digital exhibitions. Over the course of three days, and expressing optimism that the outcomes of this session will contribute to creating more creative ideas, initiatives and qualitative projects that represent an added value to international efforts in enhancing the global economic climate and preparing it for the post-Covid-19 phase.

AIM’s unique digital exhibition will be participated by Ministries and Government Departments, International and Regional Organisations, Investment Promotion Agencies, Special Economic Zones, Private Equities, Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, Banking & Financial Institutions, International Investment Institutions, Startups, Incubators and Special Programmes, SME Financing Institutions, Smart City Solution Providers, and Technology Providers, among others, from more than 170 countries, which means even more abundant opportunities for economic productivity and expansion.

“We are all aware that the global economy has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this global outbreak must not cause economic paralysis and impede recovery but must serve as a stimulus to persistently look for opportunities to surmount the challenges. Technology is one of the tools available to us that we need to take advantage of to fight the impact of pandemic, which is why AIM Digital was conceived. It is indeed a major initiative that brings innovation and investment opportunities together in one virtual platform for investors to fuel economic resilience and transformation” said Mr. Dawood Al Shezawi, the Head of the Organizing Committee of the Annual Investment Meeting.


Diverse topics have been meticulously discussed such as Economic Fallout of Covid 19 on Female Founders, Accelerating Technologies during Time of Crisis, Ensuring Food Security & Sustainability against Pandemic: Innovation and Business Opportunities of Agriculture in SMEs, Strengthening the Global Partnership in International Trade during Pandemic Crisis, Post-Pandemic Cities: What Will They Look Like, Business Opportunities of Agriculture in SMEs, The Vision From Investors in The Middle East, Urban Mobility: Road To Recovery And The Effectiveness Of Attracting FDI in The Times Of Crisis, Smart Cities Of The Future Workshop, Challenges For Agribusiness in Latin America And The Vision From Investors in The Middle East. Additionally, AIM Digital continues to offer interactive investment activities 365 days of the year to support the global investment community.

AIM Digital Features

Placing the spotlight on AIM’s six pillars – Foreign Direct Investment, Foreign Portfolio Investment, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Startups, Future Cities, and One Belt, One Road, AIM Digital will showcase different features that will extensively boost investment opportunities in various sectors.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Conducted by renowned industry experts from across the globe, this series of interactive professional coaching sessions have been tailor-made to enrich the experience of its participants and prepare them in finding lucrative opportunities for investment.

Conference: A platform where expert insights, best practices, and ideal investment policies are shared with participants. Leaders and specialists from the investment community will lead the virtual discussions to explore relevant topics about each of the six pillars of AIM.

Exhibition: Participated by the best local and international exhibitors across the globe, the Exhibition features different countries, smart city solution providers, startup companies, and SMEs, with the ultimate goal of achieving economic growth for their respective country and region.

Digital Country Presentation: It unveils the world’s best investment destinations by featuring every country’s key economic and investment environment features digitally. A platform for municipalities, cities, and countries to promote investment opportunities at their location and highlight the potential of their sector to prospective investors.

Startups Virtual Pitch Competition: An opportunity to present business ideas to a diverse array of global investors on the lookout for the next big thing. The winners of the start-up virtual pitch competition will compete for the National Champions League. Individual startups may register for the Global Technopreneurs.

Conglomerate Presentations: A virtual line up of Large Multi-Industry Groups keen on showcasing their investment roadmaps and key sectors of interest to an impressive panel of AIM investment promotion agencies, SMEs and government officials enthusiastic about making sustainable investments in their respective countries.

Awards: Recognizing the outstanding contributions of Investment Promotion Agencies, SMEs and Start-ups in bolstering and securing investment for a particular location. Awards will be presented to various investments made to regions and countries that have resulted in significant economic growth.

Investors' Hub: Held within a digitally secured environment, a virtual meeting where top investors will have an audience with official government representatives to cultivate the formation of investment partnerships and collaboration.

Regional Focus Sessions: Centered on three regional conversations that examine the economic landscapes of Africa, Asia and Latin America, the discussions will be an informed exploration of the regions' risks, challenges and opportunities for growth that are waiting to be harnessed through regional cooperation.

Made in Series: This viable digital feature is open to all SMEs who wish to showcase their local products and services to an international platform. Being a part of the series could help the participating country to promote their locally manufactured products or services, present value proposition to a focus global audience, and network with potential global partners for future collaboration.

Investment Roundtables: The investment roundtable feature of AIM 2020 is a gathering of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), Investors and Decision Makers. The main objective of this feature is to facilitate a platform for government decision makers to discuss with investment companies to create a feasible investment model matching government and investor requirements. At the end of the sessions, a feasible investment model shall be developed.

Networking Features: A medium to strengthen business relationships and serve to the expansion of business portfolios. Vast features are conveniently available and accessible for ease of communication and networking on the platform.

The Annual Investment Meeting also plans to expand its footprint across the economic landscape as it gears up for its upcoming hybrid edition which will take place on March 21 – 23 followed by its Mega edition during EXPO2020, the World’s Greatest Show. The Hybrid Edition will be primed to feature massive investment opportunities from more than 170 countries, securing the highest return of investments for investors across the globe.

Furthermore, the Annual Investment Meeting is also delighted to launch its official e-magazine, Global Catalyst, which will serve as the global investment community’s no.1 digital source of the latest news, feature articles on trending topics, and critical analysis on fundamental issues affecting the investment environment, serving as a powerful catalyst for global economic growth. The Global Catalyst, is a quarterly digital publication that provides a captivating blend of news and features about the investment environment, as well as thorough analyses and research studies on major issues concerning the global economy. It also features success stories and in-depth interviews from prominent personalities in the global investment community to offer invaluable insights. In its first issue, Global Catalyst will give emphasis on its theme, “Rebooting the Future of Global Economy” which sparks the revitalising idea of starting anew, finding innovative methods and strategies, and building new perspectives in relation to the global economy.

Acknowledging the shift to the digital landscape and integrating technological advancements assists in developing smart, digital and sustainable nations as AIM Digital generates boundless possibilities towards economic recovery, transformation, and sustainability.

For more information on AIM Digital, visit www.aimcongress.com

About the Annual Investment Meeting

The Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) is an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. AIM is the world’s leading investment platform with over 16,000 participants coming from more than 140 countries. Over 400 exhibitors and co-exhibitors, 60+ high-level dignitaries, 150+ investment specialists and experts have participated in AIM 2019.

The Annual Investment Meeting in partnership with their Sustainable Partner, Bedayat by Sustainable City presents the UAE Emirates Startup Roadshow to be held on 17th and 20th September, 2020.

Aligning with precautionary measures, smart solutions and a resilient environment, the UAE Emirates Startup Roadshow is all set to cover four emirates: Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah across an agile platform.

Two competitions will be hosted on one day beginning in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah following with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi respectively. The chosen winners will receive numerous benefits such as access to all the features of Digital AIM 2020 -- a special digital edition of The Annual Investment Meeting, this year.

In addition, the winners from all emirates will also be provided with a virtual exhibition kiosk, a viable chance at potential meeting with investors and access to participating at the AIM Global National Champions League 2020, for a prize of USD 50,000 (USD10,000 per winner)

 
In collaboration with the Annual Investment Meeting’s Sustainable Partner, Bedayat at the Sustainable City, an active initiative has been taken to organize mentoring sessions prior to the pitch competition and provide 4 winners from each emirate a tour at Sustainable City along with a workshop.

Mr. Karim El-Jisr, Chief Sustainability Officer at Diamond Developers and Executive Director for SEE Institute said, “The UAE Emirates Startup Roadshow is a smart initiative that provides the necessary resources for businesses to move to the next stage of growth by encouraging diversification, determination and efficiency.

Our Sustainable Partner, Bedayat at the Sustainable City is going to add an exceptional touch by organizing a mentoring session prior to the competition. This is indeed very special as UAE is the home base for AIM.”

UAE is home to various futuristic, smart and resilient projects, with potential start-ups gaining recognition round the clock.

In 2020, investments in Middle East start-ups are set to exceed $1bn.

In addition, the UAE has accounted for 60% of total funding across the Middle East and North Africa. MENA's startups have seen a steady increase in funding in Q1 2020. $277M was invested in 108 startup investment deals in MENA, an increase of 2% in total funding from Q1 2019 to Q1 2020 as derived from data platforms, MAGNiTT and SME10x.

The Annual Investment Meeting cordially invites all keen investors looking to expand their business portfolio across the emirates to participate in a ground-breaking experience - the UAE Emirates Startup Roadshow.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow into the UAE jumped over 34 per cent to $14 billion (Dh51.4 billion) in 2019 as compared to $10.4 billion (Dh38.2 billion) in the previous year following major investments by US private equity firms in Abu Dhabi's energy sector.

The UAE surpassed Turkey to become the largest recipient of foreign investment last year in the Middle East and also accounted for half of total investment that flowed into the region in 2019, according to World Investment Report released by UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).

The large increase in FDI to UAE was largely due to major investments made to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) assets.

The US-based asset managers BlackRock and KKR Global Infrastructure acquired a 40 per cent stake in Adnoc's pipeline assets for about $4 billion.

Italy's Eni SpA also acquired a 20 per cent stake in Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company for more than $3 billion.

"Abu Dhabi has supported FDI inflows to the UAE for the past few years with its streamlined procedures and capacity in facilitating megadeals. In 2019, the emirate further strengthened its commitment to foreign investment by launching the Abu Dhabi Investment Office under the Ghadan 21 programme, a broad-based initiative to enhance the commercial ecosystem, including by cultivating an attractive and diversified environment for FDI," Unctad said.

It said the approval of the positive list for FDI in the UAE in April 2020 paves the way for full foreign ownership in many activities and could support investment flows to the country in the longer term.

While FDI outflow from the UAE also moved up slightly last year from $15 billion to $16 billion, an increase of 5.5 per cent.

Regional performance

FDI to Middle East declined by 7 per cent to $28 billion as against $30.1 billion in 2018. Just three countries - the UAE, Turkey and Saudi Arabia - accounted for the majority of inflows in 2019.

FDI inflows into Turkey slumped from $13 billion in 2018 to $8.4 billion last year, slipping into the second position after the UAE.

In the GCC, Saudi Arabia was the second largest recipient of foreign investment, receiving $4.56 billion last year as compared to $4.24 billion in the previous year.

Flows to Saudi Arabia increased for the second consecutive year by a further 7 per cent to $4.6 billion, mainly because of a few large M&A deals.

FDI to Bahrain fell by 43 per cent to below $1 billion in 2019. The main reason was the country's investment profile, which centres on light manufacturing and services, which are more sensitive to global and regional economic headwinds.

Regional outflows

FDI outflows from Middle East contracted significantly, from $50 billion in 2018 to $36 billion in 2019.

In Saudi Arabia, outward investment declined from $23 billion in 2018 to $13 billion, and firms in Kuwait divested $2.5 billion of overseas investments.

Major outward investments announced in 2019 included a $10 billion project by Saudi Aramco to develop oil and gas facilities in China and a $9 billion oil project by Qatar Petroleum to expand its existing facilities in the US, although it is unclear when these projects will be fully realised.

 

FDI inflow into the Middle East, 2019

UAE: $13,787m

Turkey: $8,434m

Saudi Arabia: $4,562m

Oman: $3,125m

Lebanon: $2,128m

Bahrain: $942m

Jordan: $916m

Kuwait: $104m

Palestine: $176m

Top global countries for FDI inflows, 2019

US: $246B

China: $141B

Singapore: $92B

Netherlands: $84B

Ireland: $78B

Brazil: $72B

Hong Kong: $68B

UK: $59B

India: $51B

Canada: $50B

source: investinabudhab

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