The UAE government has reached an agreement with Morocco for hosting the annual investment meeting (AIM) Africa Chapter at Marrakesh city from October 29 to 31 next year.

With this move, Marrakech will become the first city to host the AIM outside the UAE.

The event will be held under the theme “The Future Investment Landscape of Africa: Sustainable Investment through Innovation and Partnership”, stated Dawood Al Shezawi, the chief executive of AIM organising committee after signing the strategic MoU with Ahmed Akhchichine, the president of Marrakech-Safi region, Kingdom of Morocco.

The AIM reflects the UAE-Moroccan economic cooperation in particular and UAE-Africa cooperation in general. It can drive direct international investments to the continent and other promising markets in Africa.

Prior to its being held in Morocco, the 7th edition was set to run from April 2 to 4 at the Dubai World Trade Center, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with the theme “International Investment, Path to Competitiveness and Development”.

On the partnership, Al Shezawi, said: "This reflects the prospering UAE–Morocco relations, especially at the economic level and direct investments. The agreement also demonstrates the great importance attached by international and UAE investors for the African market and their quest to expand investment there, which was evident over the past few years through numerous visits by delegations of the investment companies to a number of African countries."

Akhchichine pointed out that as the host destination for the meeting, Marrakech-Safi believes this is a great opportunity for Morocco to boost its presence on the map of international investment and diversify the aspects of direct investment into the country and other African countries.

"This will provide new avenues for the diversification of industries, which is already pursued by the major global investment companies, led by leading UAE companies," he stated.

AIM - Africa Chapter 2017 will include a number of events, workshops and meetings between investors and government delegations as exhibitors will showcase the latest projects in the African continent, which represents enhance investment opportunities and present them to potential international investors, said Akhchichine.

In addition, AIM will include organizing special trips to many locations within the city of Marrakech to promote tourism to strategic partners, he added.-TradeArabia News Service