London Event Reinforces Commitment to Open Trade, FDI, and Multilateral Dialogue

The venerable Reform Club on Pall Mall hosted a distinguished assembly of over 120 leaders in government, diplomacy, and finance for a gala dinner celebrating the publication of two pivotal reports: Bridging Borders: Trade Promotion and Foreign Direct Investment and Global Economic Opportunities 2025.

Under the stewardship of Dr. Khalifa Saif Juma Saif Al Mehairbi, Chairman & Patron of the Global Economic Business Council, the event spotlighted the indispensable link between open markets, sustained dialogue, and collective action in building resilient global economies.

Opening Call for Inclusivity

The Rt Hon. The Baroness Prashar CBE opened the evening with a call to broaden participation in policy conversations. Reflecting on her tenure in public service, she observed that economic policy must be as diverse as the communities it serves. Only by engaging small businesses, civil society, and government alike can we craft strategies that uplift every stakeholder.

Championing Multilateral Solutions

H.E. Sven Jurgenson, former President of the United Nations Security Council and ex-UNICEF Board Chairman, followed with an address underscoring the historic success of multilateral trade frameworks. He noted, “From GATT to today’s WTO, we have seen how coordinated rules and dispute-resolution mechanisms foster trust and enable nations to trade fairly. In an era of renewed protectionist rhetoric, recommitting to these institutions is our best defense.”

Unveiling Strategic Roadmaps

Dr. Khalifa Saif Juma Saif Al Mehairbi then introduced the two reports as dynamic tools to guide policymakers and practitioners:

• Bridging Borders distills practical guidance on designing export- and investment-promotion agencies. Covering governance structures, stakeholder engagement, digital platforms, and performance metrics, it offers a comprehensive playbook for agencies to streamline services and deepen market access.
• Global Economic Opportunities 2025 showcases over USD 6 billion in curated FDI projects across 63 countries, spanning renewable energy parks, advanced manufacturing hubs, and critical logistics corridors. Each project entry includes financial models, impact assessments, and partnership contacts—enabling investors to identify opportunities that align with both economic and sustainability goals.

“These publications are not merely documents but invitations—to dialogue, to partnership, and to collective innovation,” Dr. Al Mehairbi remarked. “By sharing these frameworks and project pipelines, we harness our shared expertise and chart a course toward growth that leaves no region behind.”

Recognizing Leadership in Trade and Investment

Immediately after his remarks, Dr. Al Mehairbi received two honors from H.E. Jurgenson:

1. Champion of International Trade – for his visionary leadership in forging public–private coalitions that dismantle barriers and foster capacity building.
2. Global Best Real Estate Person of the Year – acknowledging his instrumental role in structuring high-impact FDI projects that catalyze urban renewal and job creation.

Closing Call to Action

The Hon. David Wells, Canadian Senator and Chair of the International Centre for Trade Transparency, delivered the evening’s closing message. He emphasized that “the strength of our economies depends on the rigour of our conversation, the transparency of our data, and the unity of our purpose.”

He urged attendees to operationalize the reports by convening multi-stakeholder task forces, sharing best practices via digital platforms, and conducting regular policy reviews to adapt to emerging challenges.

About the International Trade Council

The International Trade Council is the foremost global chamber of commerce dedicated to cross-border trade and investment facilitation. Offering expert advisory services, market intelligence, capacity-building programs, and curated government introductions, the ITC empowers members to seize international opportunities and advocate for policies that drive sustainable growth.

About the Global Economic Business Council

The Global Economic Business Council—chaired by Dr. Khalifa Saif Juma Saif Al Mehairbi—is an advisory body within the International Trade Council focused on research-driven analysis of trade and FDI trends. Its flagship reports provide data-backed roadmaps and actionable strategies to strengthen public–private collaboration, enhance policy coherence, and counteract protectionist pressures globally.

Contact

Nina Escarda

International Trade Council