Held under the auspices of the Dubai Expo Center at Dubai Expo 2020, this is the 4th edition of the biennial World Entrepreneurial Investment Forum (WEIF 2022), co-sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) / Office of Investment and Technology Promotion (Bahrain).
“Dubai Expo 2020 is all about connecting and connecting brains,” said Dr. Hashim Hussein, Executive Director, WEIF.
“Over the next three days, we will see the connection between entrepreneurs and professionals, from more than a hundred countries around the world, experts in financial access, experts in trade and technology development. capabilities, research professionals, experts and scholars from universities, financial institutions, departments and of course NGOs and entrepreneurs,” said Mr. head of the Office of Technology and Investment Promotion at UNIDO.
Over the next three days, more than 1,000 business leaders, government officials, academics and entrepreneurs will discuss how to strengthen global partnerships, business opportunities, innovation and investments to make it happen. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This year, the theme of WEIF is Achieving the SDGs Through Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Investment COVID 19 Post, closely aligned with AIM’s theme: “Investing in Sustainable Innovation for the Future of Development. strong”.
The Sustainable development goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a global call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperous.
Integration in the post-COVID world
The forum noted that COVID-19 has severely affected the operations of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and entrepreneurs globally. For this reason, it is imperative for governments and the private sector to quickly adapt to changing market conditions that take digital transformation into account.
With the pandemic creating unprecedented disruptions to global economies and worldwide labor markets, supply chain disruptions and shutdowns have forced the closure of many businesses. industry, MSMEs were hit the hardest.
UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises Dr. Ahmed Belhoul said at the forum that the UAE has invested heavily in the healthcare system over the past two years, not only helping businesses small and medium-sized businesses but also help promote domestic tourism.
“Business facilitation is fundamental for most SME entrepreneurs. Without the trust and support of governments, they would not be able to survive,” he said.
“We quickly realized that this was much more important than direct financial support. I had regular meetings with entrepreneurs, and I kept hearing them ask me, not for funding, not for finance, but for market access and access to multinationals. great “.
Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which addresses the role of small, medium and emerging enterprises in achieving the sustainable development goals.
He said the UAE gives us hope and confidence in a recovery from the “health and economic pandemic” that the world is experiencing these days, noting that these pandemics remind us about the “thin days” that the world went through in the years 2007-2008, as a result of the global economic crisis.
Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin addressed the regional situation in relation to the Arab economy in general, praising Arab nations, especially the Gulf states, which he said had “made excuses for science.” and increased investment in education, health care, and technology. revolution, as well as their interest in sustainability and climate change issues. ”
He added that these investments have given it the opportunity to persevere, grow and develop, expressing hope that all Arab countries will follow this example and invest in these areas. this area.
Conor Lennon / UN News
SDG Wheel at Opportunity Expo, Dubai Expo 2020
Digital Transformation
The world is also witnessing rapid technological transformation that plays an important role in COVID-19. As the world transforms, entrepreneurs seek innovative new financing methods to further ensure resilience and sustainability. Establishing regional incubator/promoting networks will go a long way in ensuring connectivity and FDI for the Arab world.
In a pre-recorded statement, Dr. Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento, Executive Director of the Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agribusiness, UNIDO, congratulated the partnership between WEIF and the Investment Conference Annual (AIM) this year.
That gathering, he said, would be a great opportunity to address the fundamental challenges facing countries “in their journey to achieving development goals, and to discuss trends.” and investment strategies that can be used to maximize youth potential. business ecosystems that innovate and thus empower the food economy, diversify investment, and transform digitally. ”
ITPO-UNIDO
A delegation of women participated in WEIF 2022 organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), at Dubai Expo.
The role of businesswomen
Speaking on the sidelines of the Forum, Reem Badran, a former member of the Jordanian Parliament, noted that the current pandemic has posed a major challenge to the achievement of the SDGs, as it has exacerbated the challenges that are already being faced. women in the Arab region and around the world face. . However, she believes the pandemic also offers more space for innovation, entrepreneurship and a holistic approach.
“In the classical world, men have better network services and activities than women. In terms of technical opportunities and exposure, men definitely get more,” she notes, and that’s why we’ve brought more women to this conference. [so they can access] network they need. And I believe that in a few years these women will stand out in their countries because of the support of the network. ”
Focus on sustainability
The opening session was followed by a session on Inclusive Sustainable Finance, which considered innovative new financing approaches to ensure resilience and sustainable growth.
Organized by UNIDO, the Government of the United Arab Emirates and other partners, the forum is expected to build and foster partnerships and share best practices in entrepreneurship and innovation new.
