The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is holding the Global Investment in Aviation Summit on 28-29 January 2019 at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City. GCAA will host more than 600 investors, speakers, and delegates along with a number of high-level officials and aviation professionals from more than 50 countries during the two-day global event.

HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, GCAA, said, “The broad international participation in this Summit reflects the importance of the aviation industry, which has become one of the most attractive sectors for investors seeking safe haven for their investment. The current stability of the aviation sector is attributed to the openness of different markets and the increasing demand for air services such as travel, air cargo, aircraft maintenance, information technology in air traffic, aircraft supply, aircraft engineering, manufacturing, and supply.”

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Al Suwaidi added, “Dubai has strengthened its position in various economic sectors. It has become an ideal destination for multinational companies, businessmen and investors, because of the diverse investment opportunities within a leading business environment. The emirate offers this to meet the needs of and to support various economic sectors.”

The launch of GIAS comes at a time when the volume of investment to modernize global aviation is projected to reach $1.8tn by 2030. Growing investments in different continents and regions are strong indicators that the investment trend is leaning toward more promising and bigger opportunities especially in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Among the major cities investing for their aviation modernization and development are Jeddah ($7.2bn), Kuwait ($4.3bn), Argentina ($803m), South Africa ($632m), Egypt ($436m), Kenya ($306m), Nigeria ($300m), Uganda ($200m), and Seychelles ($150m).

The Summit aims to reshape the investment landscape of the aviation sector towards a qualitative and distinct level as would be witnessed by the large participation of aviation ministers, heads of aviation authorities, and major aviation companies. Participants will also witness the launch of the largest business incubator in the aviation industry to review during the Summit completed projects and those which are under development.

The summit also includes a preliminary program that is held on the day prior to the summit that includes masterclasses as well as workshops in aircraft and airport project financing.

Global Investment in Aviation Summit will witness the largest attendance and participation of the heads of aviation companies, decision-makers, economic experts, and government officials to review investment prospects in the UAE aviation sector, the whole of the Middle East and across the world.