WAIPA

In just 27 days, INVEST SAUDI will host the 28th WAIPA World Investment Conference —the must-attend event for investment professionals. Get ready for an exciting lineup of tracks designed to inspire, inform, and connect: 👥 Ministerial Track: Participate in high-level dialogues with ministers and policymakers discussing policy shifts, economic frameworks, and regional cooperation—offering a unique glimpse into how governments align with future investment trends. 📊 Conference Track: With 10+ sessions, explore topics like AI, digital finance, and sustainable development. 🎓 Masterclass Track: Join 5+ expert-led workshops on green finance, AI applications, and capital markets—equipping yourself to navigate emerging challenges and thrive in evolving markets. 🌍 Governance Track: Engage in 3 strategic sessions designed to help IPAs improve governance, adapt strategies, and drive global impact. 🤝 Matchmaking Track: Seize targeted networking opportunities with investors, business leaders, and project owners—unlocking the potential for meaningful partnerships. 🏅 Awards Track: Celebrate the best IPAs, recognizing the top-performing agencies and setting benchmarks for the future. 👉 Register for the #28thWIC here: https://lnkd.in/dk728FUh

"Much hard work, and a share of IPA’s often limited financial resources, are required to get projects investor-ready. And it is tempting to skip some of these steps. However, putting in the work to create a viable pipeline of [Investment Projects Ready to Offer] will pay dividends many times over." says Mr. Ismail Ersahin, WAIPA CEO, in his recent fDi Intelligence op-ed. 📃 Read the full article to learn why this is the case and discover UNIDO's tried and tested investable project formula 👉 https://lnkd.in/gZgQ7GcP #UNIDO #WAIPA #IPAs #FDI #InvestmentProjects #PitchDeck #InvestmentPitch

🌟 Oman Officially Joins WAIPA! 🌟 Today, Oman officially joins as the newest member of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). The membership agreement had been signed by Her Excellency Ibtisam Al Farouji, Undersecretary for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion. The Ministry plays a vital role in regulating commerce and industries in Oman, while spearheading the country’s efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Through this partnership, Oman will gain access to WAIPA’s global network of IPAs, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and unlocking new investment opportunities. The milestone event was marked by an official ceremony at Oman’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, where Ismail Ersahin, WAIPA CEO, and H.E. Ambassador Idris Abdul Rahman Al Khanjari, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Oman, formalized the membership. We look forward to working closely with Oman and seeing the positive impact this collaboration will bring to investors, Oman, and the broader investment community!

The UNIDO-WAIPA Side Event at the 10th World Free Zones Organization ("World FZO") Annual World Congress in Dubai on September 24th was a landmark event focused on shaping the future of free economic zones.    The engaging session explored emerging industry trends and investment strategies for the next decade. Mr Stefan Kratzsch, Head of the Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business Unit at UNIDO, and Mr Ismail Ersahin, CEO of WAIPA, provided crucial insights from the UNIDO-WAIPA survey on Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific (ACP), along with key recommendations to improve investment promotion and facilitation. Specifically, the audience was provided with an overview of the state of play, challenges, and opportunities of investment promotion and facilitation in ACP countries. The session triggered a lively Q&A and re-iterated the need for more technical assistance support from partners such as UNIDO and WAIPA for Special Economic Zone Authorities and IPAs.   📘 Explore the Report in more detail here 👉https://lnkd.in/g25E97nm     Join us in driving sustainable development and fostering sustainable investments and innovation in global trade!   #ACPBizFriendly, funded by the #EU and the Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) #ImpactInvestment #InvestmentFacilitation #InvestmentPromotion #EuropeanUnion

The countdown is on! 40 days until the #28thWIC in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 🚀 WAIPA and INVEST SAUDI are bringing together the brightest minds in investment promotion this November from 25-27. If you are looking to elevate your investment strategies, showcase your work, or unlock exclusive networking opportunities with top private sector leaders, high-level government officials, and international experts, the #28thWIC is the place to be. 🌟 Why attend? • Connect with top-tier professionals across the global investment community • Learn from industry-leading speakers and panelists on emerging trends and challenges • Showcase your agency’s achievements on the world stage Get ready for game-changing discussions on digital disruption, sustainability, and economic cooperation. With 100+ countries represented, this is your chance to exchange insights, create meaningful partnerships, and lead the future of global investment. 🎟️ Register now to secure your place at this premier conference: https://lnkd.in/dk728FUh

A legacy built over 27 years by WAIPA and its partners now continues at the #28thWIC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to redefine the future of investment. Join us at #28thWIC: https://lnkd.in/gwXbEhqj.

We are honored to welcome Dr. James X. Zhan to WAIPA as the Chair of the Executive Board for the World Investment Conference (WIC)! 🌍 Mr. Zhan is a globally recognized leader in trade, investment, and development strategies, with a distinguished career that spans decades of impactful work. His notable roles include serving as Chief Advisor to the Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development, Senior Director of Investment and Enterprise at UNCTAD, and Chief Strategic Advisor for WAIPA. A true visionary, Mr. Zhan has been the leader for several groundbreaking initiatives, including UN’s Annual World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Framework for Sustainable Development, the Roadmap for Reforming International Investment Treaties Regime, and the Global Investment Facilitation Action Menu. These frameworks, used by over 100 countries, have significantly shaped the global investment landscape. Mr. Zhan is also the founding chair of UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, and the founding co-chair of the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones. He led the establishment of the World Investment Forum. His leadership and expertise have played a crucial role in shaping global policies that drive sustainable economic growth, influencing key outcomes at major summits and ministerial conferences, such as the G20, BRICS and APEC, as well as parliaments and government cabinet meetings. Mr. Zhan’s contributions have left an indelible mark on international economic development. We are eager to benefit from the unparalleled insights and strategic direction Mr. Zhan will bring to WAIPA as we continue our mission to promote global investment and sustainable development. Welcome aboard, James Zhan!

🌍 The 28th WAIPA World Investment Conference (#28thWIC) website is now live - Explore it at waipa.org/wic This year’s conference, held under the patronage of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and hosted by INVEST SAUDI, will take place from 25-27 November 2024 at the Fairmont Hotel in Riyadh, KSA. Under the theme “Harnessing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth – Scaling Investment Opportunities,” the #28thWIC will feature an exciting agenda meant to foster impactful discussions and strategic partnerships: 🗣️ Conference Track: Expert insights and best practices from global leaders 🎤 Ministerial Track: High-level discussions with ministers and senior government officials on investment policies and international cooperation 📚 Masterclass Track: In-depth, interactive learning for investment professionals 🛡️ Governance Track: Exclusive member discussions through our General Assembly 🤝 Matchmaking Track: Pre-scheduled events connecting investors with partners, SMEs, and projects 🏆 Awards Track: Recognizing excellence and innovation in investment promotion Registration is now open - secure your spot and be part of an event that has set the benchmark for investment dialogue for nearly three decades: https://lnkd.in/gCsgzNZa

🌍 Do you know what it takes to craft an investable project? 💼 With the SDG investment gap continuing to grow, global efforts are intensifying to build strong pipelines of investable projects, also termed Investment Projects Ready to Offer (IPROs). Here is UNIDO’s formula for crafting investable projects: 1️⃣ Identify the Opportunity: Begin with identifying the investment opportunity, target investors, and the underlying business concept. 2️⃣ Prepare the Project: Develop a clear profile with information on the project being proposed as well as detailing the entity and economic structure proposing the project. Conduct market and technical studies to support a financial analysis of the project, as well as an economic analysis to measure the impact on the host country should the project materialise. 3️⃣ Investor Appraisal: Potential investors evaluate the project based on commercial and broad-based sectoral criteria. If commitments aren’t secured, revisit the preparation phase to strengthen the proposal. 4️⃣ Implementation: For successful projects, move to operational and technical planning, and complete any necessary detailed engineering work. If not successful, the cycle can be restarted from step 2 – an opportunity to improve and grow based on real feedback! 📒 By following these steps, we can turn innovative ideas into investable realities and close the SDG financing gap. Read this op-ed by WAIPA CEO Mr Ismail Ersahin to learn why IPAs need support to build investor-ready pipelines and close the SDG investment gap: https://lnkd.in/gZgQ7GcP Within the #ACPBizFriendly Programme, funded by the #EU and Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), we offer tailored support to Investment Promotion Agencies in building the FDI intelligence and investment project preparation and promotion capacities to attract and track sustainable investments with a positive economic, social, and environmental impact on their host countries. #InvestableProjects #SustainableInvestment #SDGs #ImpactInvesting #UNIDO #InvestmentPipeline #ResponsibleBusiness #WAIPA #FDI

IPA Sponsorship Opportunities Available to attend #28thWIC 🌍 If you are an active WAIPA Member IPA from Tier 1 or Tier 2 country and facing challenges with your travel budget, we’re excited to announce that we have limited travel and accommodation funds available for eligible members to assist in attending the #28thWIC happening from November 25-27 in Riyadh. Key Details: 🔍Eligibility: Support is exclusively available for active member IPAs, with priority given to those from LDC countries. ✉️ Application Deadline: October 15th. To learn how to apply and check your eligibility, please reach out to: eva.salamon@waipa.org 📅 Registration Reminder: If you haven’t registered for the #28thWIC yet, please do so using the following link: https://lnkd.in/gCsgzNZa Don’t miss this opportunity to attend and enhance your visibility at this premier event. Stay tuned for more updates. We can’t wait to see you in Riyadh!