(MENAFNEditorial) With the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) underway in Dubai since Tuesday this week, there are some key common themes emerging about new directions and trends for Foreign Direct Investment.
The event so far has covered high level talks from a wide range of topics including sustainable investment in emerging markets, ways to attract investment, risk management, as well as sector specific analyses and country presentations
Much is being said about the importance of investors making sustainable and inclusive investments, particularly in emerging markets
The Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, said his organization views sustainable investment as one of the defining investment opportunities of our time
"Investment for sustainable development is opening the door both to new partnerships and to new forms of investment, and this paradigm shift is occurring faster than anyone might have expected a few years ago," Dr. Kituyi said
Ms Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre said that unlike in the past when investment coming into a country tended to be considered favorably, today, decision makers are much more careful about shaping the way investment is coming into their economies
Another key theme emerging across the AIM congress is the importance of trust in making investments. Experts reinforced the importance of knowing your investment location and trust in the people and systems there
Ambassador Adam Ereli, Vice Chairman of Mercury's Washington, D.C. office, said investors need to have face-to-face time with critical people in the host market
"Look them in the eye and believe in them. If you don't, then walk away"
There is also plenty of advice at AIM for the best ways for Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) to attract investment.
Having helped several companies in their international expansion, Martin Kaspar, head of business development at Fränkische Industrial Pipes had a clear message to IPAs
"I'm not interested in glossy brochures or flowery language about low unemployment rates or GDP figures, because anyone can get that on the internet. What I really want is to know how much does it cost, how long does it take, what are the practicalities of setting up in that country"
CEO of Crescent Petroleum, Majid Jafar, reinforced the importance of IPAs presenting an honest image of their location.
"Investors talk to each other, and news travels very fast. If there are security concerns in a country, or poor infrastructure, they know"
Many panelists from the private sector agreed the best way to sell a location, was to present testimonials from companies who have already invested in a location.
"Get investors out there speaking about why they're there and how they're making money," said business development director, David East, from fDi Intelligence at the Financial Times
AIM will finish today, with attendees most likely energized with new strategies and understandings of how to make the most of foreign investment opportunities.
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