By Abraham Jonah, Contributing Editor, Middle East
MON, FEBRUARY 7 2017-UMS Conferences has announced the third edition of the highly successful UAE-India Economic Forum (UIEF), which is set to take place on 8 and 9 November, 2017 in Dubai, UAE.
With UAE-India bilateral relations at an all-time high following the three-day visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India, the primary objective of the forum is to discuss and evaluate business opportunities in both countries. The event, which is supported by Invest India and has UAE International Investor Council as Strategic Partners, will bring together ministers, government entities and business leaders to explore bilateral trade and investment prospects, with special focus on critical sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, renewable energy and banking.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations this year. The crown prince, who was accompanied by a contingent of high-level government officials and industry leaders, held a series of meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss bilateral, regional and global concerns. UAE is one of the largest investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments. UIEF will bring together government officials and key decision makers from UAE and India to discuss the policy frameworks and guidelines required to attract investors, sovereign wealth funds, large corporations and industries. The event is an effective platform for Indian businesses aiming to explore the Middle Eastern market, as well as UAE-based businesses seeking to enter the Indian market.
Past editions of UIEF have met with considerable success. UIEF 2015 was inaugurated by Hon. Arun Jaitley, Minister of Finance, India, while the 2016 edition featured keynote addresses by Hon. Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Government of India; Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, UAE and Hon. M.J. Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs, India.
UIEF 2017 will feature a government panel on bilateral trade, a special session focused on start-ups, specially designed booths for one-on-one networking sessions and a showcase for investment opportunities. Key areas the forum will focus on include defense and security, tourism, banking and finance, utilities and space technology. UIEF 2017 will also host the Qadat Al Tagheer Awards, which will honour the businessmen who have contributed to the growth of their country’s economies and recognise the efforts of government leaders who have worked towards fostering UAE-India trade relations. Bloomberg Businessweek ME will be the Promotional Partner of the event.
