Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Dubai FDI, the investment development agency of Dubai Economy, DED, announced that it is set to convene global investors in Dubai at the upcoming Dubai Investment Week 2018.

The major event, which will take place from 7th to 11th October, 2018, will explore the future of foreign direct investment, FDI, in light of today's rapid transformations across the world.

The event, which will kick off with an official opening ceremony on Monday, 8th October, 2018, will further highlight Dubai's continuing efforts to proactively address global changes and keep pace with the future and promote the emirate's strategic and competitive advantages as the city of the future.

Dubai FDI revealed on Wednesday during a press conference the main features of the event, to be held under the theme "Investing in Future Transformations". The event will explore ways to strengthen partnerships between local and international businesses and keep pace with the demands of future changes. It will explore investment opportunities in new and emerging economic sectors in Dubai particularly in areas of knowledge, innovation, and sustainable development.

Dubai FDI also announced the strategic partners of the Dubai Investment Week 2018 from government and private sectors, which includes the Dubai Investments, DMCC and Amanat Holdings.

The event will hold various forums such as exploring cooperation prospects between public and private sectors and enhancing networks and linkages between investors and government entities in Dubai.

It will also witness the attendance of high-level investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs and start-ups, looking to explore growth opportunities and expansion in Dubai, considering its strategic location as a gateway to regional and global markets.

Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI, said, "Exploring the theme 'Investing in Future Transformations' in this year's event is inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to look at innovation as the way to generate growth and sustain Dubai's competitiveness in the future. We look forward to highlighting the emirate's promising opportunities in future transformations, focussed on smart technology and research and development, which are the priorities set under the UAE National Agenda and Dubai Plan 2021."

Al Gergawi explained that the Dubai Investment Week 2018 provides the platform to strengthen partnerships between the local and international investment community and unlock huge opportunities as the emirate bids to become one of the world's leading cities to invest in knowledge and advanced technologies. He further said that the continued confidence of the global investment community in the emirate, which has maintained a conducive environment for business, supported by its unique strategic location, modern infrastructure and legislation, an incubator environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, and attractive incentives for FDI.

Khalid Bin Kalban, MD and CEO, Dubai Investments said, "Dubai Investment Week offers a platform to explore future investment opportunities in Dubai, which has been and remains a major hub for investment in the region due to its sophisticated infrastructure, strategic location and political stability. The event will allow us to connect with leading government figures and entities from around the world and establish investment partnerships with international investors and start-up companies seeking to establish their businesses in Dubai."

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC stated, "As the world's flagship free zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise, supporting the 2018 Dubai Investment Week (DIW) is critical for DMCC, and we commend Dubai FDI for hosting it. The collective revenue of our 15,000-member companies contributes over 10 per cent to Dubai's overall GDP, and we pride ourselves on removing barriers to trade and fostering a welcoming climate for international private investment. We look forward to participating at DIW and sharing our views on working collaboratively to further enhance Dubai's appeal to foreign investment and in turn, help realise the emirate's true economic potential."

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Amanat, said, "We are delighted to be a strategic partner of Dubai Investment Week, a unique and valuable platform to showcase Dubai's reputation as a hub for global business, and the preferred destination for investment opportunities across different sectors. This partnership aligns perfectly with Amanat's active role in contributing to the development of the UAE economy through our focussed investments to date. Amanat has invested nearly AED2 billion in healthcare and education and is looking at developing them further."

He added, "We look forward to exchanging and sharing insights with industry experts on how we best continue to drive investments and aid in diversifying the economy."

The Dubai Investment Week will cover a comprehensive range of discussions on leading global trends and top-level talks, including a "Leaders' Dialogue", an exclusive presentation reviewing the progress of the Dubai Plan 2021 and key economic and FDI performance indicators. It will also offer fresh insights about Dubai's future initiatives, latest smart incentives and investor services.