First Gulf Investment Forum opens to discuss financial trends in GCC

The move underscores Eye of Dubai's goal of collaborating with prominent industry events to promote Dubai and the UAE's investment and tourism potential.

The two-day Forum, being held with the theme: 'Economic aspirations for a common future', is the first event of its kind after the establishment of the Gulf Common Market at the beginning of 2008, and is being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the UAE Minister of Finance and Industry. The variety of discussions in the eight working sessions of the forum will reflect different types of investments and financial trends in GCC states and will incorporate 32 papers identified by the forum's special scientific committee.

Foreign investment is a crucial component of the UAE's economy; according to the World Investment Report 2007, the UAE attracted FDI inflows of $8.4bn in 2006, and experts predict a total of $11.8bn in inward direct investment by 2009.

"As media partner of the event, Eye of Dubai will use our extensive market reach to promote the country's investment climate, and highlight the UAE as one of the world's most favourable destinations for investment. Using a combination of our award-winning website, and our popular English and Arabic guidebooks, we aim to complement the efforts of the UAE Government and underscore economic diversification efforts as a platform for long term growth and economic stability," said Abdullah Al Harbi, CEO of Eye of Dubai.