Zurich: The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), in its role as the elected President of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) for the 2025-2027 term, collaborated with WAIPA to organize a High-Level Forum on Finance, Technology, and the Future of Investment Promotion in Zurich. The event attracted senior decision-makers from finance, business, and technology sectors, as well as heads of investment promotion agencies globally.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the forum commenced with welcoming remarks from Mohammad Yousef Mulla Yaqoub, Acting Director General of KDIPA and President of WAIPA, Hilda Al-Hinai, Secretary General of the Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Ismail Ersahin, Executive Director and CEO of WAIPA. The event saw participation from Abdulmohsen Al-Mukhaizeem, President and CEO of the Kuwait Investment Office in London, alongside international experts and senior officials.
The discussions during the forum centered on financial and technological developments reshaping the global investment landscape. Topics included investment trends in Europe, the role of public and private investments, and the significance of innovation in enhancing the investment environment and attracting value-added investments.
In his keynote address, Mohammad Yousef Mulla Yaqoub emphasized the mission of WAIPA as a global platform empowering Investment Promotion Agencies and guiding investors toward destinations that offer clarity, stability, and long-term partnerships. He highlighted the 60-year relationship between Kuwait and the Swiss Confederation and expressed gratitude to participants for engaging in this significant forum.
Ismail Ershahin remarked on the growing role of investment promotion agencies worldwide, stating that IPAs are vital catalysts and enablers of international investment. He stressed their importance amid current global volatility.
A key component of the forum was a specialized training program for Investment Promotion Agencies, titled "WAIPA IPA Masterclass: Innovating IPA Performance in a Changing Global Investment Landscape." The program aimed to enhance IPA capabilities and provide practical tools to navigate global economic transformations. It outlined strategic priorities from leading international organizations to support the shift from traditional promotion activities towards achieving long-term developmental impact.
KDIPA emphasized that the forum represents a critical milestone in deepening international partnerships, expanding cooperation avenues with financial and technological institutions, and exploring new investment opportunities that foster sustainable growth and innovation. The forum's objective includes attracting high-value, added investments to support economic transformation and bolster national competitiveness.
WAIPA, established in 1995 in Geneva, Switzerland, is a global non-profit organization that provides a reference point for member national and sub-national investment promotion agencies. It facilitates cooperation, experience sharing, data exchange, and talent nurturing to support efforts in attracting quality foreign direct investment that drives sustainable growth and prosperity.