By 
By Ntombi Mhlongo
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat,
accompanied by five SADC Member States, is participating in the 12th Edition of the Annual Investment Summit (AIM) Global 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The aim is to promote the region as a foreign direct investment destination in line with the SADC Business and Investment Promotion Strategy (BIPS).
According to the SADC website, the mission is spearheaded by the Support to Improving the Investment and Business Environment (SIBE) Programme, which is a five-year programme financed by the European Union and implemented by the SADC Secretariat.
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The AIM Global 2023, which started on May 8, 2023, has attracted over 170 countries to participate in 150 insightful sessions where over 600 expert speakers are presenting and having dialogues on emerging trends that will shape the future of global investments.
On Wednesday, the SADC Secretariat was expected to host the SADC Regional Focus Forum under the theme “Infrastructure Development in Support of Industrialisation and Regional Integration”.
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This was to be characterised by a presentation on the overview of the business and investment climate in the SADC region as well as two high-level panel discussions on coordination and investment opportunities for unlocking the development of regional infrastructure projects; and industrial and value chains development particularly in the sectors of agro-processing, mineral beneficiation, pharmaceuticals, leather, textile and clothing, tourism, and services.
It was expected that the SADC Regional Focus Forum will be attended by high-ranking officials from various countries, international organisations, chambers of commerce, industrial and economic zones, financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, legal and financial institutions, and the business community from the United Arab Emirates.
