WAIPA

🗓️ Mark your calendars! WAIPA and the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority (INVEST SAUDI) have inked an agreement, officially designating Riyadh as the host city for the transformative 28th WAIPA World Investment Conference (WIC) 2024! Mr. Ismail Ersahin, Executive Director and CEO of WAIPA, alongside H.E. Ibrahim AlMubarak, Assistant Minister of Investment in Saudi Arabia, signed the agreement confirming SIPA's role as host for the #28thWIC in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Scheduled for 25-27 November, the conference is set to highlight a unified commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and innovation through strategic partnerships. We look forward to seeing you there! Stay tuned for more exciting updates! Dushyant Thakor Andreas Hora José Henrique Vieira Martins Eva Salamon Kaplan Courtney Fingar #28thWIC #WorldInvestmentConference #Riyadh

The UNIDO booth at AIM Congress was a space for fruitful exchange with congress visitors, speakers, fellow exhibitors, and more than 32 new investment and partnership leads, but also for insightful bilateral meetings between UNIDO and high-level representatives of partner institutions. 🤝 In a meeting with Mr Jonathan Wong, Chief of Innovation, Enterprise & Investment, #UNESCAP on 7th of May, the discussion centred around promising synergies in investment promotion/facilitation following technical talks that had begun in February 2024 and mentioned UNIDO’s interest in closer cooperation with ESCAP in this area. 🤝 Furthermore, Mr Luca Lazzaroli, Director General PMM-Portfolio Management and Monitoring, European Investment Bank (EIB), and Mr Stefan Kratzsch, UNIDO Team Lead, explored opportunities for collaboration in key areas of mutual interest, such as targeting supply chain resilience and SME support including access to finance, aiming to find efficient ways for UN agencies and the EIB to collaborate in implementing projects under the #EU #GlobalGateway strategy. 🤝 In discussion with Mr Richard Bolwijn, Director, Investment & Enterprise Division, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 8th of May, UNIDO suggested to enhance inter-agency collaboration involving UNCTAD, UNIDO, International Labour Organization, UN-OHRLLS, WAIPA, and European Investment Fund (EIF), particularly focusing on investment promotion support in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and fundraising efforts. Another proposal involved initiating a new collaborative workstream under the World Trade Organization's Investment for Development Agreement (IFD), as well as harnessing joint participation in the World Investment for Development Alliance (#WIDA) for deepening bilateral cooperation 👉 https://lnkd.in/gnQDdVSJ 🤝 With Mr Martin Labbé, Tech Sector Development Coordinator, International Trade Centre, we exchanged about how to integrate UNIDO’s approach to investment promotion support for SMEs with the Technology uptake support that ITC is providing to start-ups in Africa. UNIDO thanks its partners for their willingness to find synergies and cooperate on promising new initiatives in the interest of sustainable development and investment promotion in developing countries.

Last week, the much-anticipated AIM Perception Study 2024 for Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) was officially launched at #AIM2024, a collaborative effort between UNIDO, AIM Congress, WAIPA, and KPMG India marking a significant milestone in the global investment promotion landscape. UNIDO shed light on the survey's objectives and methodology, emphasising its focus on digitalization and adaptation to emerging trends and underscored the survey's importance in tracking changes over time and ensuring relevant and effective support to IPAs. 📝 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dcDx4cXF This upcoming study is complementary to the previously published UNIDO-WAIPA Report about the state of play of Investment Promotion and Facilitation in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Region: 📘https://lnkd.in/g25E97nm

🌟 Launch of the AIM Perception Study 2024 Last week at AIM Congress, the highly anticipated AIM Perception Study 2024 for Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) was officially launched, marking a significant milestone in the global investment promotion landscape. This collaborative effort between UNIDO, AIM Congress, WAIPA, and KPMG India promises to reshape the future of investment promotion. Our Executive Director, Ismail Ersahin, joined distinguished panelists Walid Farghal, Director General, AIM Congress, Stefan Kratzsch, Team Lead, UNIDO, and Mohit Bhasin, Global Co-lead and National Lead, KPMG India to unveil this initiative. Emphasising the survey's goal, Mr. Ismail noted, “Collaboration is paramount for IPAs to thrive and drive meaningful impact. This survey will enable us to grasp and fulfill the expectations of both IPAs and the private sector, ensuring we deliver valuable, demand-oriented services that empower IPAs with the tools to amplify their voice.” The AIM Perception Study 2024 aims to gather insights, best practices, and key data from IPAs worldwide. By fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building, it seeks to empower IPAs to excel in promoting investment and driving sustainable economic development. With over 150 high-level dignitaries and 12,000 participants from 175 countries, AIM Congress 2024 was the ideal platform for this pioneering launch. As the study unfolds, it promises to deliver genuine, accessible content and drive impactful change in the global investment community.

WAIPA's Stellar Presence at AIM Congress Last week at the AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi, dedicated to celebrating global excellence in investment, WAIPA was honoured to receive the Supporting Partner - International and Regional Organizations Award. This esteemed accolade recognises our commitment to fostering innovative, sustainable, social, and diversified FDI projects that shape the future of the investment landscape worldwide. We are also incredibly proud to have our Executive Director and CEO, Ismail Ersahin, and our Senior Advisor, Courtney Fingar, serve as part of the esteemed jury for the AIM Investment Awards. In recognition of their invaluable contributions as jurors, they were awarded the distinguished Jury Member Award. These awards, presented by H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, not only highlight WAIPA's dedication to promoting global investment excellence but also underscore our unwavering commitment to driving sustainable development through international collaboration. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the AIM Congress for this recognition and eagerly anticipate continuing our efforts to foster positive change in the global investment community!

In the crowded marketplace of global economics, there are many entities jostling to be seen as the conduits and creators of growth and prosperity. Often overlooked and unheard in the international arena are investment promotion agencies (IPAs). Despite their relative obscurity to the general population, these agencies play a pivotal role in attracting investment, fostering economic development and shaping the future of nations around the world. But they often do this essential work without getting the recognition they deserve. In a time such as now, punctuated by volatile investment flows and economic uncertainty, the remit of IPAs is both more important and more difficult. Read my thought piece for WAIPA (the global champion for IPAs) on why banding together as a recognized group and as a professional class worthy of respect is necessary for investment promoters worldwide. #WAIPA #investmentpromotionagencies #FDI Ismail Ersahin Dushyant Thakor Mai Abdullah Al-Terkait Eva Salamon Kaplan https://lnkd.in/d3KFXRmm

The AIM Congress provided a fantastic opportunity for meaningful connections. It was my sincere pleasure to connect with both existing and prospective WAIPA Member #IPAs. During the event, I had the honor of meeting with the Minister of Investments of Honduras, His Excellency Miguel Medina, and his dedicated team to formalize their new admission into our network: the National Investment Council (CNI) of Honduras. As the technical arm of the Office of Promotion and Investment of the Presidency of the Republic of Honduras, the CNI, now recognized under international standards, will play a crucial role in promoting #FDI and advancing the country's investment landscape. ✨ I warmly welcome the CNI of Honduras to our ever-growing WAIPA network as we continue to expand, foster meaningful partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for economic prosperity.

One of the key highlights of last week's AIM Congress in Abu Dhabi was a fruitful meeting with His Excellency Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, the Secretary General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, for which I am grateful. We are focused on fostering joint initiatives that encompass capacity-building, shared programs, and exploring potential synergies for collaboration between WAIPA and D-8. 💼 Exciting times lie ahead for WAIPA as we pave the way for impactful partnerships!

🌟 Elevate Your Investment Strategy with WAIPA’s Global FDI Masterclass Series! Get ready to delve into the intricacies of investment promotion with our second masterclass, ‘Blueprint for Success – Formulating the IPA Strategy’ 🗓️ Thursday, May 16th, 2024 🕑 2:00pm - 3:30 pm CEST The session promises a comprehensive lineup of leaders and industry experts: - Opening Address: Mr. Ismail Ersahin, Executive Director and CEO, WAIPA, will set the stage with insightful opening remarks. - Keynote Address: Dr. Matthew Stephenson, PhD, Head of Investment and Services at the World Economic Forum will explore the critical aspects of Climate FDI Coalition and the integration of climate considerations into IPA strategies. - Expert Presentations: Dive deep into strategic planning with: - Ms. Breda O'Sullivan, Manager of Corporate Strategy and Planning at IDA Ireland - Mr. Robert Bwire, General Manager - Research, Policy Advocacy and Planning, Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) - Mr. Samet Akyüz, Unit Manager, Strategy and Corporate Planning Unit, Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye The session will be moderated by Mr. Dushyant Thakor, Deputy Executive Director, WAIPA. This masterclass is an unmissable opportunity for professionals eager to refine their strategies and enhance their impact in the realm of global investment promotion. Don't just watch the change; be part of it! 🌍 Register today by emailing info@waipa.org! Discover the tools and tactics to not only adapt but thrive in the ever-evolving world of foreign direct investment.

Today’s Breakfast Roundtable focused on reinforcing global investment in light of current crises. Ministers discussed maintaining open policies and enhancing domestic capacities to leverage private investment for sustainable growth. A vital dialogue on policy coherence and resilience. #InvestingInResilience #aimcongress #economicgrowth