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e& wraps up successful participation at GITEX Global 2023

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Sahfy Sahfy
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e& wraps up successful participation at GITEX Global 2023
e& wraps up successful participation at GITEX Global 2023

e& successfully wrapped up its participation at GITEX Global 2023, attracting visitors, decision-makers, technology experts and the media to its stand with a wide array of innovative use cases across mobility, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, aviation, and oil and gas reflecting this year’s theme ‘Accelerating Innovation.

It focused on showcasing e&’s collective efforts in driving progress to create a better tomorrow. It was about showcasing cutting-edge technologies and their potential to transform industries, stimulate creativity, encourage collaboration, attract innovation enthusiasts and celebrate success stories.

At GITEX this year e& took a major step in electric mobility in UAE with the soft launch of ‘Charge&Go’. It will be strategically placed nationwide to offer users a dependable, affordable, and easily accessible charging solution. The initiative aligns us with transformative goals such as the Emirates Net Zero 20502 and the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy (DIES) 2030.

Another major announcement at the global technology event was the launch of ‘EASE’ (Etisalat by e& Autonomous Store Experience), the world’s first autonomous telecom store powered by AI utilising ground-breaking technologies to empower customers to seamlessly purchase etisalat by e& products and services.

The autonomous store will bring the future of retail to UAE with its combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, facial recognition, smart gates, robotics, smart-shelves and smart dispensing machines. Shoppers enjoy a quicker and more convenient shopping journey with zero waiting time; this heightened level of convenience and speed contributes to an improved overall customer experience.

5G: Setting new milestones

This GITEX etisalat by e& has moved to the next stage of 5G with the Stand Alone network becoming available for all mobile users. For the first time, mobile users will be able to use a complete Stand Alone 5G network providing access to higher uplink speeds, improved device battery life, faster connectivity to the network. These benefits can support new applications, including rich Voice over New Radio (VoNR) and Video over New Radio (ViNR) calling experience beyond an over-the-top (OTT) solution.

This was followed by the successful 5G SA service launch for Fixed Wireless Users (FWA) at the start of 2023, giving consumers the access to a reliable nationwide standalone network allowing for seamless voice and data services across the country.

Another major global milestone was the 5G downlink speed of more than 13 Gbps, continuing to push performance with this major advancement in the 5G network maintaining UAE position as the fastest mobile nation in the world.

Strategic partnerships and thought leadership

This event was successful on various fronts, e& forged meaningful partnerships but also took the stage as thought leaders in the industry. As a testament to its commitment to innovation and collaboration e& and its business verticals signed MoUs with key stakeholders, solidifying dedication to shaping the future of technology.

These mainly included etisalat by e& partnering with government entities like NAFIS as part of their initiative to hire and empower Emiratis in the country, and and others like Dubai Police, Cyber Security Council and TAMM (Abu Dhabi Government Services) among others.

With the Cyber Security Council there was also a graduation ceremony held for a special security programme conducted in partnership with etisalat by e&. With the Ministry of Education e& signed a strategic partnership to foster the advancement of technology education. e& also unveiled its alliance with World Government Summit, stepping into the spotlight as the event’s headline partner.

Its new electric utility business ‘Charge&Go’ signed MoUs with leading entities in the private sector making sure they strike the right partnerships and the new stations installed across the country after the main launch later in the year.

Groundbreaking innovation

From global concept cars in autonomous, to designs and innovations that integrate intelligent connectivity solutions, emphasised e&’s commitment to shaping the future of mobility. The future of air travel was on display with ‘Autoflight’, an innovative sustainable airtaxi and the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX and VISION One-Eleven Concept Car were perfect examples of the future of transportation. In robotics, there were humanoids, also solutions for industries like ‘Macademic’ and a friendly robot ‘Mirokai’ with mobility solutions for the healthcare sector as well. Each business vertical under e& had a focus on the pavilion, etisalat by e& highlig

talabat donates towards the UN WFP to support its humanitarian relief efforts for Palestine

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Sahfy Sahfy
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talabat donates towards the UN WFP to support its humanitarian relief efforts for Palestine
talabat donates towards the UN WFP to support its humanitarian relief efforts for Palestine

October, 2023 – Following the tragic events unfolding in the region over the course of the last week, talabat has decided to support the people in Gaza in the following way.

As talabat, we are donating Two Million AED to our long-standing global partner, the UN World Food Programme (UN WFP), to support its humanitarian relief efforts for those affected by the ongoing crisis. This donation will enable critical assistance and a food lifeline towards those in Gaza who need it the most.

In addition to this donation to WFP, talabat is also putting its platform at the disposal of our trusted and licensed local charity partner, in all its markets. The talabat Mart (tMart) team is also working with our local charity partners to enable customers to order virtual humanitarian aid boxes at cost price containing essential aid supplies, that will be delivered straight to our local charity partners.

WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization whose operations aim to provide a lifeline through food assistance and development, to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people affected by conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. WFP is a Nobel Peace Prize winning organization that has been operating in the region since 1991 and is committed to deliver humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities through their on-ground operations and local implementing partners.

 

As talabat, we put food – and more – on the table for everyone in MENA. However, in the current circumstances, talabat is supporting WFP as a key organisation able to provide a food lifeline to those who need it most.

WFP does not endorse any product or service.

Apex Group successfully completes South African acquisitions

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Sahfy Sahfy
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Apex Group successfully completes South African acquisitions
Apex Group successfully completes South African acquisitions

Apex Group Ltd. (“Apex” or “the Group”), a global financial services provider, today announced the successful close of the acquisition of Boutique Collective
Investments (RF) (Pty) Ltd (“BCI”) and Boutique Investment Partners (Pty) Ltd (“BIP”).

BCI is a collective investments scheme manager (“ManCo”) with a core business focus on third- party branded portfolios. BIP is an independent investment management and consulting firm.

providing multi-manager and consulting services to leading South African independent financial advisors, and their retail and institutional clients.

BCI will become an Apex Group company alongside the existing FundRock brand which delivers the Group’s ManCo services, enablingmore than 1,200 funds with a total of €221 billion in assets under management in 14 countries to streamline their operations in a cost-effective manner.

The additions of BCI and BIP further expand Apex Group’s African footprint following the acquisitions of Sanne Group and Maitland, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to the region and
expansion of its local operations.
This strategic acquisition adds USD$19 billion of AuA and add around 50 new employees to the existing Apex Group platform in South Africa which currently employs over 1,200 people across offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, servicing 140 clients with assets of c. USD$130bn (ZAR 2.5trn).
BCI and BIP clients will now benefit from access to the Group’s global single-source solution, providing all services required across the full value chain of their business via one convenient and efficient relationship.

This includes Apex Group’s Digital Banking, Fund Raising, Distribution and Administration solutions, as well as pioneering ESG Rating, Reporting and Advisory services.

This follows the recent announcement that Apex Group South Africa has sold a minority stake to a 100% Black owned consortium of investors, reaffirming the business’ commitment to unlocking opportunities for growth and to build further strategic teams in sub Saharan Africa.

Peter Hughes, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Apex Group comments: “We are pleased to welcome the BCI and BIP businesses and clients to Apex Group in South Africa. This latest strategic acquisition is further evidence of our commitment to building strategic hubs in South Africa to access the abundant pools of talent that we need to support both our South African and global client bases.
We look forward to further enhancing our technology-enabled solutions to service the asset management industry in South Africa.”
Heiko Weidhase, Chief Executive Officer of the Efficient Group (parent company of BCI and BIP) adds: “With BCI and BIP becoming part of Apex Group, clients will now benefit from the efficiency of a single relationship with a global service partner delivering technology-enabled
solutions across the full value chain of their business The completion of this acquisition allows us to realign our strategic focus on the continued expansion of our Wealth, Risk and Investment
segments which service our growing retail client base.”

Efficient’s Wealth, Risk and Investment cluster will retain the Efficient brand and maintain business as usual under the control of its current shareholders throughout the transaction.
This cluster comprises of the following business lines; Efficient Wealth, Efficient Insure Advisory Services; Efficient Private Clients; Efficient
Benefit Consulting; Efficient Board of Executors; Efficient Select; Naviga Solutions; Select Manager and Dinamika Fund Managers.

Top 50 Women Forum strongly condemns Israel’s massacre in Gaza

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Sahfy Sahfy
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Top 50 Women Forum strongly condemns Israel’s massacre in Gaza
Top 50 Women Forum strongly condemns Israel’s massacre in Gaza

Top 50 Women Forum strongly condemned today the heinous massacre and war crime attacks committed by Israel against Palestinian civilians in the past few days, and most recently in Baptist Hospital in Gaza Tuesday evening. The most recent war
crime attack has resulted in killing hundreds of civilian Palestinians, including patients, women, and children.

The Forum described the Israeli attack as a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian and legitimate principles, saying it is definitely a war crime.
The Forum expressed extends condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to those injured in the unfortunate attack.

Moreover, the Forum – which stands for ensuring gender equity and equality and defending women rights worldwide – called on the international community to act to end brutal attacks, flagrant violation of human rights and prevent violence from broadening, and alleviate the prolonged suffering of the Palestinian people.
Top 50 Women Forum also called for restraint and dialogue as priority to end the ongoing bloodshed and achieve a fair, durable peace, end Israel incitement, and reach consensus.
For her part, Dina Abdel Fattah – Founder and Chairperson of Top 50 Women Forum – said the recent attack constitutes a disgrace to humanity and a flagrant violation of the rules of international humanitarian law.

She denounced the unilateral actions adopted by Israel to incite racism, hatred, and torture, moving everyone backward to the dark ages where imposition of power and violence used to prevail.

“Human lives must come first before achieving political wins,” Abdel Fattah added, saying the loss of lives by merciless occupation forces that unfortunately enjoy all the support from the west amidst widespread media propaganda campaigns demonizing Arabs and conveying wrong messages about the Palestinian cause.

“Women worldwide have to stand in solidarity with Palestinian women”
Palestinian women have endured most of the hardships faced by the whole Palestinian people, including the loss of children, deprivation of basic rights, forced expulsion, and killing, Abdel Fattah said.
“Top 50 Women Forum is ready to collaborate with regional and international organizations to give Palestinian people voice to restore their rights, and to ensure to have more unbiased media messages to uncover the truth and refute blatant lies.” Abdel Fattah concluded.

KAFD to Participate in the 7th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative

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Sahfy Sahfy
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KAFD to Participate in the 7th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative
KAFD to Participate in the 7th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative

 The King Abdullah Financial District Development & Management Company (KAFD DMC) has announced its participation in the 7th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII7). The FII Institute’s flagship conference is set to run from October 24 to 26, 2023 at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center (KAICC) in Riyadh.

Under the theme of, “A New Compass,” the prestigious conference will unite global innovators, leaders, and investors from the finance and investment sectors to navigate the worldwide socioeconomic and geopolitical transformation, seeking a new direction to inspire future investment and innovation. 

At the largest investment and business conference in the Middle East, KAFD DMC is represented by the CEO Gautam Sashittal, and the COO Stephen Thomas. Over the course of the three-day conference, they will engage as keynote speakers in two prominent discussion panels.

In the first panel, “CAN CITIES INSPIRE HUMAN VITALITY?”, the CEO Gautam Sashittal will share his insights on the impact of sustainability, mobility, and smart city plans in creating healthy, climate-friendly urban environments. And the COO Stephen Thomas will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing urban leaders from the public and private sectors in the second panel, “THE POWER OF GLOBAL CITIES IN A DEGLOBALIZING WORLD, POWERED BY KEARNEY”. The panel will also explore how global cities can strengthen their role as engines of economic growth.

Gautam Sashittal, CEO of KAFD DMC, expressed his enthusiasm for this valuable engagement saying: “Saudi Arabia was the fastest growing country among the G20 countries in 2022, as the developers and operators of the country’s prime business district, we strive to support the transformation in the Kingdom through creating a thriving ecosystem capable of attracting businesses and streamlining Saudi investment opportunities. In fact, we expect to have a combined workforce of about 100,000 in KAFD by the end of 2024”. He added, “Our involvement in the 7th edition of the Future Investment Initiative demonstrates our dedication to the Kingdom’s growth journey and to connect with world leaders and innovators to drive meaningful impact – with the new compass.”

Set in the heart of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, KAFD is the world’s largest Platinum LEED-certified mixed-use business district. The city within a city is owned and managed by the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company. As a subsidiary of PIF and a key driver of Riyadh’s economic ambitions and the goals of Vision 2030, KAFD DMC aims to advance the national socio-economic agenda, boosting Riyadh’s ranking amongst the world’s top livable cities while promoting a diversified and effective financial sector in support of a more diversified economy.

It is worth noting that earlier this month the King Abdullah Financial District Management and Development Company announced its strategic partnership with the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute. This groundbreaking collaboration solidifies their synergistic commitment to driving transformative change, bolstering economic resilience, and harnessing innovation to address humanity’s most pressing challenges.

Dubai Internet City Enters Strategic Partnership with German Entrepreneurship GmbH

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Sahfy Sahfy
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Dubai Internet City Enters Strategic Partnership with German Entrepreneurship GmbH
Dubai Internet City Enters Strategic Partnership with German Entrepreneurship GmbH

Dubai Internet City has signed a strategic partnership with German Entrepreneurship GmbH to strengthen the start-up and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the UAE and beyond.

On behalf of Dubai Internet City, Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President – Commercial at TECOM Group, signed the agreement with Dr. Thomas Mack, Head of Scouting & Advisory at German Entrepreneurship GmbH.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dubai Internet City will support German start-ups with the data, insights, and resources needed to enter the UAE and new regional markets.

German start-ups will also be invited to establish a base at Dubai Internet City and access its rich network of industry peers, corporates, potential investors, universities, and public sector specialists.

Commenting on the agreement on behalf of Dubai Internet City, Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President – Commercial at TECOM Group, said: “In today’s dynamic global economy, start-ups expanding to new markets need seamless entry points that facilitate smoother transitions and alleviate cultural differences to foster an environment supportive of business growth and innovation.

“Dubai Internet City’s ecosystem provides invaluable opportunities for start-ups, who gain access to mentorship, potential collaborations, and a diverse talent pool through our network, which is aligned with the structural priorities of the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ vision.

As the home of international technology giants, our district nurtures collaboration and peer learnings, and is the ideal launching pad for companies looking to start- or scale-up from Dubai into new regional and global markets.”

Germany is an important trading partner of the UAE, and non-oil trade exchange between both countries was valued at $9.6 billion in 2022. Germany is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner in the European Union, accounting for 17% of the UAE’s total trade with the bloc last year, while the UAE was Germany’s largest Arab trade partner in 2021.

“We are pleased to sign this agreement with Dubai Internet City, a regional leader for the technology sector,” said Dr. Thomas Mack, Head of Scouting & Advisory at German Entrepreneurship GmbH.

“The memorandum provides German companies with not only the opportunity to gain a smooth entry into a new market, but also to swiftly collaborate with global industry leaders that have a home at Dubai Internet City and engage with its wide entrepreneurial network of investors, accelerators, and other start-ups across the region.”

The agreement was signed as Dubai Internet City and in5, TECOM Group’s start-up incubator that has nurtured over 850 enterprises since its inception in 2013, participate in the GITEX Global 2023 and Expand North Star 2023 events in the city this week.

Egypt issues Africa’s first Sustainable Panda Bond worth 3.5 billion RMB backed by African Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

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Sahfy Sahfy
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Egypt’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohamed Maait
Egypt’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohamed Maait

Abidjan, 17 October 2023 – Egypt has successfully issued a 3-year Sustainability Panda Bond worth  RMB 3.5 billion ($478.7 million). The North African nation is the first on the continent to do so, a move that underscores its commitment to access previously untapped sources of capital to drive economic growth.

The African Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank provided partial credit guarantees to support the issuance, paving the way for other African countries to access fast-growing Chinese debt capital markets. Panda bonds are issued in China’s domestic capital market by foreign issuers, typically governments or corporations, and are denominated in Chinese yuan.

The combined guarantees from the two multilateral development banks with triple-A ratings helped crowd in investors and secured competitive terms for the transaction. The Bank of China Limited, with support from HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, was the lead underwriter and bookrunner.

Egypt will use the bond proceeds for inclusive growth and green objectives under its Sovereign Sustainable Financing Framework. The Framework, which was launched ahead of the COP27 climate conference held in Egypt last year, targets sustainable development through investments in clean transportation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable water and wastewater management, financing for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and essential health services initiatives, among others.

Egypt’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohamed Maait, said: “Egypt is the first African sovereign to issue Panda Sustainable Bonds in the Chinese Financial Markets. This is a historical move not just for the country but for the entire continent. We have paved the way for alternate, sustainable financing for our African neighbours and have deepened the partnership with our Chinese counterparts. It’s more than just a financing source; it’s a testimony of how important our economic and financial ties are with the Government of China.”

Mohamed El Azizi, African Development Bank Director General for North Africa, described the issuance as ground-breaking. “This first Panda bond issuance by an African sovereign is the perfect example of how African Development Bank Regional Member countries could leverage the Bank’s AAA credit rating to penetrate new markets and mobilize sustainable financing at competitive terms from international investors,” El Azizi said.

Egypt has previous experience tapping sustainable bond markets. In 2020, it became the first country in the Middle East/North Africa region to issue a green bond . In 2022, it was the first African and Middle East country to access Japanese capital markets, issuing a Samurai bond of 60 billion Japanese yen (about $500 million).

“Egypt’s Panda Bond transaction shows our unwavering commitment to deepen the continent’s access to sustainable financing at scale, which to date is very small,” said Ahmed Attout, African Development Bank Acting Director for Financial Sector Development. “While Egypt may be the first African nation to issue on the Panda Bond Market, it won’t be the last, as we stand ready to support RMCs to mobilize new development financing at scale on both local and international capital markets,” he added.

Egypt’s Sovereign Sustainable Financing Framework aligns with the African Development Bank Group’s country strategy for Egypt as well as its High-5 operational priorities.

 

Wialon To Showcase Telematics and IoT Expertise at GITEX in Dubai

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Sahfy Sahfy
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Wialon To Showcase Telematics and IoT Expertise at GITEX in Dubai
Wialon To Showcase Telematics and IoT Expertise at GITEX in Dubai

Wialon, the global telematics and IoT platform, is thrilled to announce its participation at GITEX 2023, scheduled to take place from October 16th to 20th, in Dubai. Renowned European GPS tracking and IoT solutions developer Gurtam will showcase its cutting-edge Wialon fleet management platform and unrivaled experience in telematics and IoT.

Wialon provides software solutions for fleet management and security, via over 2,500 partner companies in over 150 countries. With over two decades of experience in the telematics industry and the most wide-ranging portfolio of telematics solutions, Wialon has helped customers achieve significant savings and improve driver safety, globally.

With a rapidly growing presence in the UAE, Wialon currently serves more than 20,000 vehicles and other assets in the region, marking a remarkable 20% increase from the beginning of 2023.

The GITEX Global presents a unique opportunity for Wialon to engage with industry peers, partners, and potential clients, demonstrating how its telematics solutions can revolutionize various sectors.

“We are thrilled to be participating in this year’s edition of GITEX Global, where Wialon is poised to unveil the future of telematics and IoT solutions. With our track record of success and expertise across various industries, we’re excited to showcase how Wialon can elevate your business operations. Envisioning the telematics future entails forging AI connections, automation of fleet management systems, and EV adoption. Amidst the UAE’s evolving electric vehicle landscape, Wialon stands as your steadfast ally on the path to a more intelligent and eco-conscious era of fleet management,” – Aliaksandr Kuushynau, Head of Wialon

This year, Wialon will build an IoT zone shared with our co-exhibitors: trusted telematics service providers, hardware manufacturers, and connectivity providers. IoT zone is a 220-square-meter space where Wialon and top players of the telematics industry showcase the latest and well-proven IoT and telematics products. They demonstrated their ongoing commitment to providing the latest technologies and advanced solutions for the wide range of industries.

8th Edition of World Investment Forum 2023 commences in Abu Dhabi, Addressing Investment for Sustainable Development

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Sahfy Sahfy
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8th Edition of World Investment Forum 2023 commences in Abu Dhabi
8th Edition of World Investment Forum 2023 commences in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE, October 16, 2023: The 8th World Investment Forum (WIF), organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), officially opened today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. The inaugural session of this premier investment event, which will run until October 20, united the Heads of States, Ministers, business leaders, eminent investors, and decision-makers to address urgent investment challenges spurred by ongoing global crises.

The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and new investment challenges and opportunities are emerging daily. In response, here in the UAE we continue to advance our ambitions of economic diversification alongside digital transformation, as we evolve into a leading knowledge and innovation-based economy underscored by a committed sustainable economic growth” said His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, emphasizing the leading role the UAE plays on the global investment stage.

“In pursuit of these goals, engaging with and building strong partnerships with global leaders and decision-makers is an essential part of our strategy. We aim to leverage global trade, attract investments, and enhance international cooperation to ensure a sustainable and prosperous economic future that serves the UAE and its partners in the international community,” H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi added.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said: “Selecting Abu Dhabi to host the WIF is a reflection of the prominent role the UAE has come to play in leading global conversations on sustainable development and investment. Abu Dhabi provides an effective global platform for international talents, leaders, and investors. We are proud to partner with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to organise the World Investment Forum as we unite with a common goal to foster collaboration, strengthen economic partnerships, and tackle the pressing global challenges of our era”. 

“Our conversations today to address challenges and develop solutions for priority issues in global investment and trade will feed into negotiations at COP28 scheduled for late November in the UAE. There could be no location more fitting for this event than the UAE, an economy that is going through rapid transformation as it is forging ahead with diversification efforts, enhancing global connectivity and trade partnerships, as well as transforming into an increasingly sustainable and renewable energy-based economy. We are dedicated to build bridges between nations and foster economic relationships to unlock a world of opportunities for all” H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi added.

Expressing her gratitude to open the summit of the World Investment Forum 2023, Ms. Rebecca Gryspan, Secretary General, UNCTAD, said, “This forum is a global platform where you the leaders of government and businesses, experts and stakeholders converge to address the critical nexus between investment in sustainable development. Abu Dhabi being an excellent host, provides an idea in the backdrop for our discussions with its forward-thinking policies, modern infrastructure and strategic locations. UAE serves as the beacon of progress in the region and beyond. Talking about the various causes of sufferings of people from cascading economic shocks, COVID-19, unrelenting climate disasters, war, to geopolitics, an unbearable death burdens are crashing the very fabric of our global society. Speaking of the common agenda we drafted in 2015 amongst which only 50% of the SDG’s are on target to be met by 2030. There is huge amount of investment gap that needs to be filled in and this is the forum we need to find solutions to fill in the SDG investment gap.”

 

The opening ceremony of the 8th edition of WIF was followed by the ‘Global Leaders Investment Summit 2023’, shedding light on the urgent need to invest in key sectors such as food security, energy transition, health systems, supply chain resilience, and enhancing productive capacity in the world’s most impoverished nations. Discussions were steered by critical questions concerning the impacts of recent food, fuel, and finance crises on international investment, and the role of international finance and cross-border investment in shaping a more inclusive and resilient global future.

 

The first session of the Global Leaders Investment Summit witnessed a series of thought-provoking sessions, where leaders including H.E. Mr. José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and H.E. Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo, among others, shared their perspectives on global developments and their implications for sustainable investment. In the second session Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, UNCTAD Secretary-General, and Mr. Obaïd Amrane, Chair, International Forum of the Sovereign Wealth Funds, Morocco, among others held insightful discussions on investment-related topics, with an interactive Q&A session that allowed participants to delve deeper into the themes related to the guiding questions. The summit concluded with a summarization of the debate by the UNCTAD Secretary-General, encapsulating the insights and perspectives shared during the discourse.

 

In a related context, a seminar on the development of sustainability reporting standards in the public sector in partnership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) discussed best global practices in the field. Distinguished stakeholders participated, including Alex Metcalfe, Head of Public Sector, ACCA, Ross Smith, Program and Technical Director of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASB), and Maggie McGhee, Executive Director for Strategy and Governance at ACCA, among others.

 

The opening day of WIF also saw the Foreign Direct Investment Statistics Conference in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries. This provided an opportunity for experts to highlight the importance of raising awareness of the latest standards for collecting data on foreign direct investment activities, including clarifying definitions and methodologies in FDI statistics, and providing insights into OIC-specific challenges such as corporate restructuring, identifying end investors, and different forms of participation.

 

Day one also saw the hosting of the “G8 Economic Cooperation – UNCTAD Guiding Principles for Investment” conference, where participants discussed current international investment agreements in the G8 member states. The session focused on how countries can enhance regional dialogue and coordination on comprehensive reform of international investment agreements, including soft policy tools, in particular the Guiding Principles, and learnings from other regions around the world.

 

It is worth noting that the World Investment Forum, through events like the Promotion of Investment in the Blue Economy, the Forum on Investment in Agricultural Systems, the Financing Equitable Energy Transition Partnerships: Perspectives from Vietnam, Indonesia and South Africa conference, the Academic Track Conference, and the Global Leaders Investment Summit, continues to fortify its commitment to fostering dialogues that not only explore the challenges of the present but also pave the way for a future where investment and development walk hand in hand towards sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience.

 

Mohammed bin Rashid opens GITEX GLOBAL, as the global tech momentum shifts to Dubai

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Sahfy Sahfy
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Mohammed bin Rashid opens GITEX GLOBAL, as the global tech momentum shifts to Dubai
Mohammed bin Rashid opens GITEX GLOBAL, as the global tech momentum shifts to Dubai

Government of Dubai Media Office – 16 October 2023: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, officially opened GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech show, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) today. His Highness was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy of Dubai.

Speaking on the occasion, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid underscored the significance of the event, emphasising its status as one of the world’s largest global gatherings for technology industry professionals. “For over four decades, the UAE has brought together the brightest minds and innovators from across the globe uniting them in a shared pursuit of shaping the future of technology. This dialogue has fostered strategies, insights and partnerships that have contributed significantly to the advancement of technology, ultimately enhancing the quality of human life. 

“The UAE continues to proactively lead the way in building a promising future across various sectors of the economy. At this year’s GITEX GLOBAL, Dubai is hosting over 6,000 exhibitors from 180 nations, who will engage in a new dialogue on forging a transformative path ahead for the industry. The remarkable growth in participation at GITEX is a testament to the world’s growing confidence in Dubai as a pivotal hub for the technology industry for tomorrow and beyond. This event is a testament to Dubai and the UAE’s steadfast commitment to driving progress and innovation and fostering international collaboration in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. We will continue to play a key role in opening new possibilities for the technology industry, forging new partnerships and advancing human well-being through excellence.”

The 43rd edition of the GITEX GLOBAL, which runs from 16-20 October 2023, has once again reached full capacity at DWTC, with the blockbuster tech showpiece hosting 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech executives from 180 countries. Expand North Star, the world’s largest start-up event hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, takes place from 15-18 October 2023 at its new Dubai Harbour home. More than 1,800 start-ups across both events will delve into the burgeoning opportunities within one of the world’s most agile, diverse, and technology-driven digital economies.

During his visit, His Highness toured several stands including those of Etisalat, Huawei, Beyon, Salesforce, G42, Microsoft, and IBM, where he interacted with the world’s leading voices in technology and learned about the innovative products and services on display.

Accompanying His Highness during the tour were His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; and several ministers and senior officials. 

His Highness was briefed on Etisalat’s 5G Stand Alone network for mobile users, marking a significant technological milestone following the successful launch of 5G SA service for Fixed Wireless Users (FWA) earlier this year. This development offers consumers access to a dependable nationwide standalone network, enabling seamless voice and data services across the entire country.

GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star cover a combined area of 2.7 million sq. ft – a 40 per cent increase over the previous year – showcasing the latest innovations and trends in AI, the cloud, Web 3.0, cyber security, climate technology, urbanism, and more.

The annual five-day event will deep dive into the biggest reflections of the AI era with the return of AI Everything – the year’s largest showcase of AI solutions and concepts with 1,000 AI-infused companies demonstrating the power of AI – and the Global DevSlam coder and developer meet-up. The event will also host the biggest cyber security event of the year, GITEX Cyber Valley, bringing together leading brands and experts to tackle the challenges and opportunities of protecting digital assets and infrastructure in the age of AI.

The global digital economy’s growth, with a strong focus on deep tech innovation and sustainable green technology initiatives, has also propelled the genesis of the GITEX CTO World Congress, the year’s largest gathering of tech architects and disruptors. Additionally, making their global debut this year are the co-located GITEX Impact and Future Urbanism Expo shows. These shows will centre their attention on the pressing concerns of climate change and sustainable development, shedding light on innovative solutions and best practices to pave the way for a net-zero future, aligning with the goals of the upcoming UN climate change summit, COP28.

GITEX GLOBAL 2023 will welcome some of the biggest names in tech, such as Dell Technologies, e&, Google, Huawei, HP, IBM, Microsoft, and Tonomus. Among the newcomers are Salesforce, Broadcom, Beyon, and Deloitte. More information is available at www.gitex.com and www.expandnorthstar.com

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