Dubai FDI, the investment development agency of Dubai Economy, and the Dubai Future Foundation effectively held the Impact FDI Forum yesterday (October 1, 2019) at the EY Wavespace in Emirates Towers, with the theme subject Innovation for a Sustainable Future. The discussion was held on the sidelines of the Dubai Investment Week 2019.

The annual forum is piece of a program of the Hamdan Centre for the Future of Investment (HCFI), a global initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council, concentrated on helping stakeholders change the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SFGs) into appealing opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs around the world.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, invited the participants which incorporate driving worldwide investors, financial institutions, research centers, consulting firms and FDI professionals, and thought leaders. He highlighted the importance of discussing and sharing of knowledge and mastery to empower stakeholders start strategic frameworks and tools, as well as gain new insights that could improve the contribution of foreign direct investment (FDI) in accomplishing sustainable advancement.

The Impact FDI Forum included a presentation by Henrik von Scheel, originator of the Industry 4.0, who examined the different aspects of Industry 4.0, from the factory to the city.

Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO, Dubai FDI, stated: Our partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation brought us new chances to analyze the role of government and corporate venture capital in quickening innovation to address the issues of a manageable future. With the exceptional technological developments happening around the world, Dubai is deliberately positioned as a perfect test-bed for innovation utilizing the latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, automation and digital transformation, as it proactively coordinates these technologies in government strategies in accordance with the objective to turn into the city of the future.

A board of specialists which incorporate Al Gergawi, von Scheel, Maha Al Mezaina, Head of Area 2071, Dubai Future Foundation; and Bostjan Skalar, Executive Director, World Association for Investment Promotion Agencies, discussed the theme further and how innovation will have an impact on FDI. An open discussion followed through focused on the role of corporate venture capital in shaping the city of the future.

In accordance with the Hamdan Center for the Future of Investment mission, Impact FDI Forum viably gave the platform for financial specialists to better understand how technologies fit into the growing innovation culture and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the emirate. It also opened networking opportunities to explore local, provincial and worldwide partnerships as well as potential outcomes to fabricate capacity in research, project development and deal flows. It also displayed the key possibilities in making a marketplace for SDG-oriented FDI projects