Emirates NBD confirmed that the UAE stock markets are among the preferred markets for investment trends in the region during the current year, especially in the banking and logistics sectors.

The bank stated, during the disclosure of its forecasts for global investments for 2020, under the title "Return to Reality," yesterday, that the "Expo 2020" exhibition will help attract more direct investments to the country, expecting that certain technological sectors, such as "Block Chain" will continue », To attract more investment.

Expo 2020

In detail, Morris Gravier, the chief investment officer in the Emirates NBD Group, said that the Expo 2020 Dubai approach will enhance the country's attractiveness to new investments, especially in the logistics services sectors, in addition to the upcoming exhibition will increase the number of tourist groups in Dubai and the country In general, it has positive effects on increasing returns for retail and hospitality.

Gravier added, during a press conference in Dubai yesterday, to announce his expectations for global investments for 2020, that the preparations for "Expo Dubai" will have positive effects on the attractiveness of the state's investment center in the region, especially with its remaining among the strongest economies in the region.

He expected the value of the hospitality sector in the UAE to reach 7.6 billion dollars (about 27.9 billion dirhams) by 2022, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%, from 2017 to 2022.

gravity

Gravier indicated that the increased attractiveness of the Emirates website for foreign investments during the current year comes with the Emirati economy continuing its plans and efforts to raise the returns and exports of non-oil sectors and cut advanced stages in economic diversification operations.

He expected that certain technological sectors, such as "Block Chain" and large data centers, will continue to attract investments through various projects in the UAE this year.

A favorite

Anita Gupta, Head of Equity Strategies, the wealth management expert at Emirates NBD Group, said that UAE stock markets will be a preferred destination for investors in the region, especially in the banking and logistics sectors.

Gupta added that the UAE stock markets will increase their attractiveness in line with the activities of "Expo 2020", which will have many positive effects on the UAE economy.

Gupta indicated that the banking sector in the stock markets increased its attractiveness and strength with the mergers that the sector witnessed recently, as well as the speed of the digital transformation in services, while the logistics sector in the country is expected to attract more new investments supported by the significant development and increased demand for the trade sector e.

Negative effects

With regard to the global investment climate, Maurice Graveriere, the chief investment officer in Emirates NBD Group, said that despite the decline in the effects of some of the risks that prevailed during the past year, including trade disputes, and "Brexit", it was not finally resolved. This makes it affect, with regional tensions in the Middle East, the movement of global investments, especially in the tourism sector, and Gravier added that the tourism sector will witness additional negative globally with the developments of the corona virus, especially that Chinese tourists represent more than 20% From the tourism movement in th World.

He expected that the global trade and supplies of different commodities will be affected if some factories in China, including production factories of international companies, continue to be closed, and that these effects will be exacerbated if the incidence of HIV infection increases in China and neighboring countries.

Expo 2020 supports the increase in new investments in the logistics sectors.