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Conference Investment Promotion and Special Economic Zones

Executive Roundtable on Navigating a New Investment Era: The Role of IPAs and SEZs

Tuesday, 27 October 2026 11:00 – 13:00 · Doha time Lusail Tent · Doha, Qatar

Global investment is being reshaped by geopolitical tensions, supply-chain restructuring, technological change and the green transition. For investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and special economic zones (SEZs), competing for investment increasingly requires more than costs, incentives and market access. Investors are looking for resilient supply chains, skilled talent, reliable infrastructure, regulatory predictability, innovation ecosystems and strong local capabilities. This executive roundtable will examine how IPAs and SEZs can adapt to this new investment era, identify opportunities in emerging sectors such as AI, digital infrastructure, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, and build stronger investment ecosystems. The session will also explore how investment promotion frameworks and networks can become more proactive, targeted, and resilient in response to changing geopolitical, technological, and sustainability imperatives.

H.E. Mr. Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al-Thani
CEO, Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar)
Speaking
H.E. Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoudi
Chief Executive Officer, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) Co-Chair of GASEZ, representing IASP
Speaking
H.E. Mr. Omar Rekkache
Director General, Algerian Investment Promotion
Speaking
Mr. James X. Zhan
Chair, Executive Board of World Investment Conference; UNCTAD ex-Senior Director, World Investment Report & World Investment Forum
Speaking
Ms. Kaye-Anne Greenidge
CEO of Invest Barbados and CAIPA President
Speaking
Mr. Simon Madjie
CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Authority
Speaking
Mr. Juan Pablo Candia
Acting Director, InvestChile
Speaking
Dr. Tah Ahmed Meouloud
Director General, Investment Promotion Agency of Mauritania (APIM)
Speaking
Ms. Mildred Santos
Deputy Technical Director, Export and Investment Center of Dominican Republic (ProDominicana)
Speaking
Mr. Gilead Teri
Director General, Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA)
Speaking
Mr. Jalel Tebib
General Manager, Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of Tunisia, Interim Director General, Tunisia Investment Authority (TIA) Tunisia
Speaking
Mr. Alexandre de Crombrugghe
Head of Investment Promotion & Facilitation, OECD
Speaking
Dr. Stefan Kratzsch
Head, Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business, UNIDO
Speaking
Mr. Dushyant Thakor
Deputy Executive Director, World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies
Speaking
Mr. Ziad-Alexandre Hayek
President, World Association for Public-Private Partnership (WAPPP), and Strategy Advisor, HyperCycle AI
Speaking
Mr. Joe Gbonda
Director of Strategic Policy & Planning National Investment Board (NIB), Sierra Leone
Speaking
Dr. Meaghan Beyer
Consultant, International Labour Organization
Speaking
Mr. Ousainou Senghore
Chief Executive Officer, Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency
Speaking
Mr. Ahmed Bennis
Secretary General, Africa Economic Zones Organization (AEZO), Managing Director, Tanger Med Zones (TMZ), Morocco
Speaking