Date: September 16th, 17th and 18th
Location: Crowne Plaza, Salalah,
Sultanate of Oman
RO 750 / USD 2000 per participant.
English to Arabic translation will be
available during the course.
Completed Course Event Report Below
This program is ideal for professionals involved in shaping and facilitating investment strategies, including:
- Investment promotion agencies and economic development practitioners.
- Government officials and policymakers.
- SEZ and Free Zone authorities.
- Bankers and financial sector professionals.
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) advisors.
- Corporate strategy and business development executives.
- Management consultants and advisors working on national development plans.
Equip yourself with globally recognized tools and insights to:
- Apply international best practices in FDI promotion and lead generation.
- Align investment strategies with national visions (e.g., Vision 2030, Vision 2040).
- Manage the full investor journey—from attraction to retention.
- Navigate GCC investment frameworks and regulatory structures.
- Leverage AI and digital platforms for investor targeting and qualification.
- Craft compelling value propositions for countries, cities, and SEZs.
- Benchmark against world-class economic zones and FDI models.
Key Learning Themes
Global & Regional Investment Landscapes
- Global FDI trends, geopolitical influences, and competitiveness metrics.
- GCC investment ecosystems and regional benchmarking.
- Case studies: Successful FDI projects in the GCC.
- Understanding the stages of investor decision-making.
Strategic Promotion & Facilitation
- Legal and institutional enablers of investment
- Target market and sector identification
- AI-driven lead generation and investor engagement
- Facilitation, stakeholder alignment, and aftercare systems
Designing the SEZs of Tomorrow
- SEZ trends, incentive structuring, and ESG-aligned zones
- Trade facilitation and global zone benchmarking
- Preparing SEZs for Industry 4.0 and sustainable development goals
Teaching Methodology
- Interactive lectures
- Case study analysis
- Role-playing exercises
- Group discussions
- Practical workshops
- Digital tool demonstrations
- Guest speakers from successful FDI programs
Assessment Methods
- Daily practical exercises
- Group presentations
- Final knowledge assessment
- Participation in collaborative activities
Course Materials
- Course handbook
- Case study compilation
- Strategic frameworks and templates
- Reference and reading guides
Certification Requirements
- Minimum 90% attendance
- Completion of all exercises
- Final assessment pass
- Active group participation
Key References
- UNCTAD World Investment Report
- WAIPA Best Practices
- National IPA guidelines
- National and regional Vision strategies (e.g., Saudi Vision 2030, UAE Vision 2021, Oman Vision 2040)
- International FDI case studies
Meet Your Instructors
Dr. Douglas van den Berghe
Dr. Douglas van den Berghe is currently the CEO of NxtZones – NwHrzn, and deputy chairman of FEMOZA. With more than 25 years of experience Douglas is considered one of the leading global experts on FDI, investment strategies, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), investment and incentives, and how to develop FDI policies for economic development and increase competitiveness. He has been an advisor to numerous governments and corporations, SEZs, and investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in countries in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America and various organizations including UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCAP, World Bank, USAID, OECD, US State Department and the EU.
Dr. Yousuf Hamed Al Balushi
A leading expert in FDI and economic strategy, Dr. Yousuf brings over 25 years of experience from key roles at the Central Bank of Oman, the Supreme Council for Planning, and as a former Content Expert for Oman Vision 2040. He has served as an FDI advisor to the IMF and IFC, and holds a PhD in Economics from King’s College London, where his research focused on the impact of FDI on private sector efficiency. As founder of Smart Investment Gateway, Dr. Yousuf has trained and advised government agencies and IPAS across the GCC on strategic investment promotion, policy design, and economic transformation. He is also a published author on economic diversification and development in the Gulf.
Dr Adarsh Varma
Dr Adarsh Varma is senior economist with 18 years’ experience in trade, investment and development projects across Europe and the MENA region. He has previously worked for WSP, Burohappold and Ricardo as a senior director. He specializes in SEZ strategies and business models and more recently supporting clients comply with UN SDG and ESG standards. He was worked in over 30 countries and brings in multi-cultural ideas and best practices to create meaningful dialogue and solutions.
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