March 2022 - CFI.co Blog

The UAE sits among the top 20 economies for FDI in the world: Annual Investment Meeting (AIM 2022) kicks off today (29 March 2022)

International participations of more than 174 countries demonstrate global economic recovery post Covid-19

Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE, 29 March 2022: Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM 2022) was inaugurated today (Tuesday, March 29th, 2022) by HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai where it was attended by representatives of official delegations and participants from more than 174 countries.

The strong response on the first day of AIM was a barometer of the global economic recovery post Covid-19 as well as the UAE’s global position as a hotspot for investments across the investor spectrum.

Day one of AIM focused on the latest trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) and its growth prospects in emerging markets and the importance of attracting foreign investment driven by a progressive mix of legislation and flexibility in emerging markets.

AIM 2022 presented a platform for decisions makers, officials, investors, entrepreneurs, experts, analysts and academics who gathered under one roof to discuss FDI challenges, potential and growth.

Participants in AIM 2022 had the opportunity on day one to hold meetings, make contacts and share expertise with peers from all over the world. A variety of sessions were held on the first day.

The first day of the three-day event brought together investors, venture capitalists and financial institutions under one roof to participate in discussions, debates and much more.

Day one started with a debate focusing on ‘Investments in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future’, as dignitaries, delegates and the keen-minded alike converged at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.

“Investments in future come at a time when the global investment landscape is changing rapidly thanks to an array of factors such as post pandemic trends, economic priorities and digital revolution; but one fact remains unchanged, FDI plays a significant role in the continuing efforts to achieve economic growth and prosperity,” said HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy.

The Vice President of Colombia, HE Dr Martha Lucia Ramirez kicked off the debate as she highlighted the need for “sustainable innovation” and an improvement in the global supply chain, focusing on a more “integrated” solution.

Shifting focus across the region, HE Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) expressed her concern on the lack of development and aid provided to developing countries. “In the developed world recovery went up to 30 per cent but in developing countries only 20 per cent. Developing countries are lagging behind in terms of investment in very important sectors.”

HE Vera Songwe, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations and Executive Secretary, Economic Commission of Africa started off by congratulating Dubai on a “fantastic EXPO” and further added on the “peculiarities” that the African continent faces post pandemic.

“All the ecosystems that support the investment is available in Abu Dhabi that boasts a strong and flexible platform not to mention the easiness of starting businesses. Just plug the business into one of the ecosystems in Abu Dhabi,” said HE Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

The debate concluded with the President of the Republic of Tartastan, His Excellency Rustam Minnikhanov, as he highlighted how AIM was progressively gaining traction every year.

“The Annual Investment Meeting is a great platform for us to present investment opportunities for our region, exchange best practices with foreign partners, and make new contacts. Today we heard some informative and engaging discussions and expert opinions addressing a highly important topic of “Investment in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future,” he said.

News of the event has quickly spread with technology and sustainability-driven companies and firms endeavouring to network at AIM 2022. With an hour dedicated to networking over lunch after the debate, high network individuals and company representatives can bolster their corporate framework and build relationships that could help boost business.

“We are looking forward to meeting global startups and entrepreneurs at AIM 2022 and providing them with the market knowledge to propel their startups and take them to the next level and give them not only scalability but the right amount of scaling. Additionally, this is a good opportunity to partner with governments and VCs too create co-investment opportunities to support the UAE startup ecosystem,” said Varis Sayed, Chief Executive Officer at Fincasa Ventures.

Currently, the UAE sits among the top 20 economies for FDI in the world, increasing by 4% year on year. The UAE has set an example by combating every challenge and turning it into an opportunity. Furthermore, the nation has developed its economic sectors to achieve qualitative shifts to a newer and more sustainable economic model, cementing itself as one of the top global economies in the world.

Conferences

Annual Investment Meeting 2022

ByCFI.co Blogger

Investments in Sustainable Innovation for a Thriving Future

Dubai Exhibition Center, EXPO 2020 Dubai 29 – 31 March 2022

AIM 2022

Initiated by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Annual Investment Meeting is the world’s leading investment platform, which creates a regional and global economic transformation by providing investment opportunities, upholding solidarity, and developing strong economic relations among countries, investors, startups, SMEs, and all other stakeholders in the global investment arena. The 6 pillars of AIM strive to support all economic sectors by opening numerous opportunities to the world as a dynamic roadmap to economic recovery. The 6 pillars are FDI, SMEs, Startups, Future Cities, FPI, and 50 Projects Initiative.

Register Now

Accounting

Why Should You Automate Invoice Processing?

ByCFI.co Blogger

Businesses and organizations process more than a billion invoices annually, and studies show that this number could increase four times by 2035. Fortunately, the growing adoption of procurement technology can help chief procurement officers, suppliers, and accounts payable teams handle this number. Currently, 89% of U.S businesses have adopted digital-first strategies, which include automated invoice processing.

Electronic invoicing is part of AP automation that has proved to be a viable solution to the many challenges associated with invoicing. Outlined below are a few reasons why businesses should take advantage of artificial intelligence in their invoicing processes.

1. Time-saving

Before the inception of accounts payable automation, the typical invoicing procedure was as follows:

The supplier starts by generating the invoice
The supplier then sends the invoice to the buyer
The buyer prints the invoice
Buyer enters and reviews invoice data
The buyer approves the supplier’s invoice and writes a check
The buyer mails the check to the supplier

Along this process, expect some back and forth between the supplier and buyer if the invoice has discrepancies. That said, the entire accounts payable process may take between 30 and 90 days, including room for errors in the cycle.

Contrastingly, with automated invoicing solutions, approval takes minutes without human intervention. Automated invoices eliminate the lengthy process, reduce errors, and thus eliminate the possibility of late payments. A study by Atradius shows that 87.6% of Western European businesses and 90% of U.S businesses report regular late payments due to past-due invoices.

2. Saves on cost

The Institute of Finance and Management estimates that businesses spend between $1 and $21 for invoice processing. These estimations were done by dividing the cost of maintaining accounts payable staff by the number of invoices processed within a given period.

Similarly, an Ardent Partner study estimated the average cost of automated invoice processing to be $11.57. This includes overheads, labor costs, and technology. Switching to automated processes reduces printing costs, labor expenditures, mailing overhead, and possibly late fees.

3. Improve efficiency

Human error in business processes cannot be avoided. Interestingly, more than 16% and 15% of late payments in the U.S and Western Europe respectively stem from inaccurate invoices. Fortunately, automating invoice processing can improve invoice accuracy, consistency, reporting, transparency, and general accountability.

Improving efficiencies of your finance department frees your accounts payable teams to focus on other important tasks. The business also grows safely, with surety that the digitized system can handle the increasing amount of invoices accurately.

4. Improved compliance

Invoice is among the key documents used as evidence of tax compliance. It also helps validate tax audits, which may be conducted years after a business transaction. Initially, businesses relied on paper documentation, which is most likely to be misplaced. Businesses also had to hire storage facilities and warehouse boxes to store their paid invoices.

On the other hand, copies of invoices are submitted online with automated AP. Original documents can also be submitted to tax authorities with ease. Purchase orders are quickly converted into an invoice, eliminating the risks of manual discrepancies.

Endnote

Invoice management is an important part of financial planning. Members of the AP team can attest that invoice management can take a toll on people, time, and financial resources. Most businesses don’t achieve invoice efficiency for these reasons, affecting business cash flow and bottom line. Shifting to automated invoice processing, saves on cost, and boosts data visibility.

Business

What You Should Know About Executive Recruitment and Working with Recruiters

ByCFI.co Blogger

The executive recruitment process can be complicated and time-consuming, with everything from searching for the right position and interviewing to making the right choice for which executive position will best meet your needs. This process isn’t usually something that’s complete overnight, so it’s important to be prepared for what the process will bring, with tenacity, and focus on what you need.

What You Should Know About Executive Recruitment and Working with Recruiters

If you’re already discouraged, take heart knowing that executive recruiters have been doing this process for years, and they’re ideally suited to offer insight and support that should get you through the recruitment process quickly and painlessly. These tips will help you optimize your executive job search process and get you the right executive position as soon as possible.

What Sets Your Brand Apart?

Before you search for candidates, first look at the market to understand the range of opportunities currently available. Then, focus on your brand. What sets you apart? What might a company love or hate about your resume, your social media presence, and your reputation? Also, look at how you’re already positioned among your fellow candidates.

There could be a wide range of reasons you have negative vibes following your personal profile and online platforms. Whether you’re using a recruitment service or handling the process yourself, be prepared to address any issues. Also, be transparent about why you’re the best candidate for the executive-level position.

The reasoning may not be as logical and obvious as you think. Communicate why you are the quality solution to bring the level of performance, versatility, and high-powered relevance they need. Show you’re excited about the opportunity and what you will do to make a difference.

Is a Recruiter the Best Solution?

The recruitment industry is a billion-dollar industry and rising, with 3-15% of all jobs being filled by recruiters. So recruitment works most of the time. It’s just a matter of whether a recruiter will get you the right solution for your needs and how long that process will ultimately end up taking. To get the best possible options for your needs, you should be upfront about what you’re looking for but also what you’re not looking for.

Beyond setting the groundwork for a successful relationship with your recruiter, keep the lines of communication open and build a relationship with them. It might take a while for the right situation to appear, but if you’re patient, you may find what you’re looking for. There’s really no guarantee that your search will be successful, even if there are positive signs. That’s where the positive attitude, tenacity, and continued professionalism all come into play.

Be Upfront About Employment Flexibility

Flexibility is a key focus for executive candidates. Now, as many as 55% of global businesses offer some capacity for remote work and 18% of workers are remote full-time. There’s still a great deal of uncertainty in the marketplace about remote, hybrid, and in-office work. Your ability to be flexible may be an important consideration, or it may really not matter to you at all.

Regardless of how flexible you will be, you should be upfront with prospective recruiters and employers. As you search for the right executive-level job to meet your needs, address the remote situation, and be clear about your expectations. Think about what you will need the position to be and become both now and in the future. Then focus on that as you work through the recruitment process.

If it’s a give and take, how are you uniquely qualified to fill the position, and how does your need for flexibility fit into that requirement? You’re offering value, but how can you make that aspect resonate with recruiters and employers? They can’t rely on empty promises, so what have you done in the past that proves that you will deliver the level of expertise and true value they need?

Do You Need Focused Help?

A recruitment agency may offer generalized executive recruitment services, or they may specialize. Depending on what you’re looking for, you may be better served by a recruiter who is already experienced in your specialized area. If you’ve tried a more general recruitment service in the past without luck, you might try a more specialized recruitment option, and vice versus.

Simplify Your Recruitment Process

Simplified job applications and a streamlined recruitment process make life easier for everyone involved in the employment situation. Whether you’re proceeding with internal recruitment, you’re using agency software, or you’re using a recruitment service, you need a simple solution that will speed up the process.

The recruitment process doesn’t have to be painful or time-consuming. Most of the information you should need to make your decision should be easily accessible. So, you should be able to figure out the best solution in a streamlined and straightforward manner. Don’t let the process drag out and don’t make it more cumbersome than it needs to be.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

HR recruitment software and other tools make it fast and easy to search for and process executive candidates. Avoid the headaches, the indecision, and the back-and-forth. The best recruitment software not only streamlines the hiring process but also offers training and onboarding solutions to get everyone up to speed.

If you’re not sure where to start, rely on the sage advice of recruitment professionals. They can usually guide you through the initial steps of the process and assist you in navigating through all the complications that technology, lack of knowledge, and other roadblocks may put in your way. The common goal is to help you get up and running as quickly as possible.

Banking

How Does a Mortgage Work? The Ultimate Guide

ByCFI.co

Between the different types of mortgages and the seemingly endless amounts of mortgage paperwork, buying a home may seem overwhelming. But how does a mortgage work exactly? We have all the answers to that mystery and more.

No home or homeowner is the same, which is why it’s so crucial to understand how to get the best mortgage for you. From how the mortgage process works to some qualification tips, we’ve rounded up all the key mortgage basics. Let’s get started and get you one step closer to your new home.

How Does a Mortgage Work?

A mortgage is essentially a loan taken out from a bank or financial institution to give you funding for a home. You can choose to finance almost the entire home or do a combination of financing and money down.

Whatever money you put down on the purchase comes from your own cash reserves. Money down reduces the amount you have left to pay on the home through your mortgage loan. Your mortgage loan is given with interest rates that may vary or be fixed each month

A mortgage is also considered an instalment loan. This means the payments are paid monthly or bi-weekly in instalments. You’ll pay your principal balance as well as the interest, fees associated with the loan, taxes, and insurance. You may have a mortgage for 30-years, 15-years, or less if you choose.

As the years go by, your mortgage is paid down each month. Once your home is paid off, you’ll no longer have a mortgage and you’ll fully own your home. In the event that you sell your home before it’s paid off, you will need to pay off the loan at the time of the sale.

Failure to pay your mortgage could have serious consequences such as foreclosure. This is why the mortgage qualification process is put in place to ensure you’re in a loan and a home you can comfortably afford. This makes your mortgage less risky for you and your lender.

How to Qualify for a Mortgage

While qualifying for a mortgage may seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. There are a few easy things you can do before you apply to help make the process easier. Creating a budget is a great starting point.

Your budget will help you and your lender determine what loan amount you’re most comfortable with. Start by laying out your expenses and income. Take a look at your down payment amount to see how much you’re comfortable putting down as well.

Next, it’s time to look at your credit and try to reduce any other debt you may have. This is where your budget can help you make a plan for paying off credit cards and reducing your spending. Your credit score will affect everything from your loan terms to your interest rate.

The higher your credit score, the better your interest rate will be. A lower interest rate allows you to pay more of your principal balance. This means more money is spent on interest each month.

Key Considerations When Shopping for a Mortgage

Another key consideration when shopping for a mortgage is how much you’re budgeting for a home. The type of home is also a factor.

A condominium, for example, may have an association fee you pay each month for amenities. This will get factored into your qualification, as it’s a fixed expense you’re responsible for.

If you’re purchasing new construction or a fixer-upper, your loan options may differ as well. When you have a home that needs a lot of work, you may choose to put less down on your home. This will allow you more cash for renovations and repairs.

As you’re going through the application process, look over all the loan options you qualify for. Your bank will need to know your budget, down payment, income, and other factors to help you find the best mortgage for you and your family.

Home Buying Tips

Before you apply for a mortgage, it can be helpful to take a look at your local real estate market. This will help you come up with your ideal home and budget.

You may find your budget gets you more than you think. You may also realize you need to prioritize your wish list.

This is a great time to make a list of what is most important to you in a home. For some, it’s the proximity to a certain school. To others, it’s the commute to work or the number of bedrooms. Your wish list will help you come up with a budget and a target price range as you start to house hunt.

As you start to look at homes, it’s also helpful to get a mortgage pre-qualification. This will allow you to make an offer on a home while knowing what you’re approved for. This helps you know where you stand while also making your offer stronger as a potential buyer.

Getting a Mortgage 101

Wondering how does a mortgage work? You’ve come to the right place. We have wealth management, mortgage, investment, and financial resources to help you make an informed decision.

Your home is likely one of your biggest assets. Read up on mortgage rates, the economy, and the housing market in our wealth management section.