Author: The Exchange

At AIM Congress 2025, leaders underscore the pivotal role of tourism in economic resilience, job creation, and sustainable development. Leaders call for strategic policy transformation, with a strong emphasis on public-private partnerships. Digital innovation, and green financing identified as the key drivers for the sector’s future. The Ministerial Roundtable on “Investment in Tourism: Shaping Tourism Investment Opportunities through Policy Innovation” at AIM Congress 2025 brought together ministers, policymakers, and global stakeholders to chart a new course for tourism investment. With 13 high-profile speakers representing nations including the UAE, Bahrain, Georgia, Montenegro, Egypt, and Iran, alongside leaders from UNCTAD, UN Tourism,…

High-Level “Invest in China: Guangxi” session explores strategic opportunities under the belt and road initiative. The session aimed to open new horizons for sustainable growth and shared prosperity through joint efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative. China highlights Guangxi’s strategic geographic location and the region’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the UAE in sectors such as trade, investment, and infrastructure.  UAE and China have reaffirmed their strategic economic cooperation during the “Invest in China, Guangxi” session, held as part of the AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The high-level session was organized in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chamber…

AIM Congress 2025 has opened in Abu Dhabi with strong call for global investment, sustainability, and innovation. AIM 2025 continues throughout the week, bringing together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from around the world to explore transformative investment strategies, sustainable development goals, and global partnerships for prosperity. The world’s financial visionaries, policymakers, and innovators are gathering in Abu Dhabi for the AIM Congress 2025. In its opening day, the leaders called for sustainable development, amid technological revolution, and the increasing need for global collaboration. As H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Alzeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, took…

GDP Global and DAJANI Consulting hosted the workshop “How to Implement a Municipal Investment Promotion Plan”, guiding participants through the development of strategic frameworks to attract and retain investments. The FOUNDERS INSTITUTE followed with “Market Access Strategies: Enhancing SMEs’ Export Competitiveness & Business-to-Business Growth.” TICK & TALK concluded the portfolio with “The Power of Presence: Mastering Public Speaking & Pitching for Business Owners in Investment Landscapes,” focusing on enhancing communication, storytelling, and presentation techniques for business leaders. This year’s edition of Aim Congress officially commenced on Sunday, April 6th with a dynamic series of pre-event workshops, offering in-depth learning, practical…

The sweeping 31% tariff measures will affect several industries across South Africa, including automotive industry, agriculture, processed food and beverage, chemical, and metals. To counter the blow Pretoria plans to negotiate favourable agreements, diversify and expand trade relations while enhancing regional trade ties. The country is also planning to double down on value-added production, while stimulating domestic growth. Policymakers in South Africa have outlined a number of measures to stem the possibility of economic fallout following the imposition of 31 percent tariff implemented by the US Administration effective from 9 April, 2025. In a statement on Saturday, South Africa said…

Customer experience roles, which account for 44% of jobs in the BPO industry, are among the most affected, with half of tasks in these roles being automatable. Finance and accounting positions in the BPO sector face similar challenges, with nearly two-thirds of junior-level tasks at risk. Tasks performed by women in the BPO industry are on average 10% more susceptible to automation than those by men. Kenya’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market is undergoing tectonic shifts with revenues expected to reach $272.10 million in 2025 with an annual growth rate of 5.96 per cent. This change has resulted in a…

U.S. President Donald Trump unleashes sweeping tariffs targeting struggling African nations in a bold trade shift. South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and other major trading partners branded among the “worst offenders” in global commerce. Trump accuses countries of imposing high tariffs on US goods, erecting “non-tariff barriers,” or engaging in policies deemed harmful to American economic interests. Even before the pain following aid cuts could reverberate across Africa, U.S. President Donald Trump has unleashed another shocker on economies in Africa, announcing a wave of tariffs targeting countries that offer Washington “unfair trade practices”. The new measures, which include a baseline 10…

IDB’s participation underscores its commitment to advancing joint initiatives that enhance global investment landscapes. The bank is committed to offering innovative trade finance solutions that facilitate seamless capital flows and enhance bilateral trade and investment activities. AIM Congress 2025 will provide a unique opportunity for engagement with top-tier investors, industry leaders, policymakers, and business executives. International Development Bank (IDB) is proud to participate as a Gold Sponsor in the Future Finance portfolio at the 14th AIM Congress, taking place from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. AIM Congress, supported by over 400 local and…

United Nations warns that the arrest of First Vice President and main opposition leader Riek Machar signals a severe unravelling of the peace process. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urges South Sudanese leaders to “put down the weapons” and “put all the people of South Sudan first.” Over one million people have fled across the border from Sudan since fighting broke out. “All the dark clouds of a perfect storm have descended upon the people of the world’s newest country – and one of the poorest,” Mr. Guterres told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York. After finally gaining independence from…

Kenya saw total electricity consumption under the electric mobility tariff category reach 1.80GWh in 2024, marking a 480.65% jump. During the year under review, electric vehicles hitting Kenyan roads increased by 41% to 5,294 units. Energy sector regulator says the halving of EV excise duty (20% to 10%), VAT exemptions for full-electric cars, and special e-mobility tariffs introduced in April 2023 are driving uptake. East Africa’s largest economy Kenya is turning into one of the most exciting investment frontier in clean energy with latest statistics showing a steady increase in the adoption of green mobility systems. In the latest industry…