On July 25th, WAIPA hosted the 4th session of its Global FDI Masterclass Series titled “Digital Frontiers: Leveraging AI & ICT for Competitive Advantage.” This event, moderated by WAIPA’s Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Dushyant Thakor, featured distinguished experts from IPAs, industry and multilateral organizations. The session focused on how AI and ICT can enhance the competitive edge of IPAs in the digital era, transforming investment promotion efforts globally.

Dr. Caroline King, Global Head of Business Development, Government Affairs at SAP and a member of WAIPA’s Business Advisory Board, emphasized the three pillars of AI: Reliance, Reliability, and Responsibility. She highlighted the importance of accessible and relevant data, suggesting the harmonization of regulatory frameworks to stimulate AI implementation.

Dr. Heather L. Taylor-Strauss, PhD, Economic Affairs Officer at United Nations ESCAP, provided an overview of ICT usage by IPAs, focusing on lead generation and the effectiveness of the investor journey. She shared case studies from various countries, including Singapore, Fiji, Malaysia, Croatia, Dubai, and others. She also discussed strategies for forecasting market trends in the Asia-Pacific region and the potential for AI to promote additional FDI.

Dr. Amr Abo El Fetouh, General Manager of the FDI Department at the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), discussed Egypt’s digital transformation strategy. He highlighted the legislative framework supporting digital transformation and pioneering areas, such as the automation of investment services and performance monitoring.

Mr. V. Vishnu, MD & CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu, shared the journey of Tamil Nadu, a leading global investment destination in automotive and electronics. He provided examples of ICT usage by IPAs, including digital mapping of industrial areas by the usage of drones during COVID.

Ms. Eliis Randver, Director of Marketing and International Relations at the Estonian Investment Agency, explored Estonia’s digital ecosystem and the increased use of chatbots post-COVID. She highlighted Estonia’s creation of a comprehensive dashboard to display investment sectors, providing an excellent guide for investors.

Dr. Preet Deep Singh, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Invest India, emphasized how AI can be leveraged by IPAs through the investment lifecycle. He cited examples from Invest India, such as analyzing call reports for lead generation and explained how AI can process data volumes efficiently.

We express our deepest appreciation to our speakers for sharing their invaluable knowledge and to our participants for their engagement, ensuring the success of our latest masterclass.

Save the date for our upcoming session on August 22nd, titled “Investment Magnets: Investor Targeting, Aligning with Outward IPAs & Incentive Schemes,” and learn from practical experiences of IPAs worldwide. Reserve your place by contacting us at [email protected].

Masterclass’ Photos