MANAMA: Bahrain will host the 18th Arab Businessmen and Investors Conference (ABIC) and the third edition of the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum 2019 (WEIF 2019) next month, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
Taking place from November 11-13 at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, the concurrent three-day events are expected to draw participation from across the world, with 1,500 delegates already registered, it was announced yesterday.
Organised by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Union of Arab Chambers, Arab League, The Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO ITPO Bahrain), the theme this year is Fourth Industrial Revolution: Shaping the future – Digital Disruptions for a Better Tomorrow.
The main objective is to drive investment in digital entrepreneurship and innovation in the Arab world, said BCCI board member Sonya Janahi during a Press conference at Beit Al Tijjar.
“Bahrain is a leading example of a business-friendly nation with no free zone restrictions, 100 per cent foreign ownership for a majority of activities and low operating costs. As the first GCC nation to move away from its dependence on oil, Bahrain is today the region’s most diversified and sustainable economy and leading financial hub.”
She added, “The fourth industrial revolution has made paradigm changes in the way society and businesses have been functioning and is about more than just technology-driven incremental change. It is an opportunity to help varied stakeholders, including leaders, policy-makers and the general population from all income groups and nations, to harness converging technologies in order to create an inclusive, human-centred future. The real opportunity is to look beyond technology and find ways to enable the greatest number of people to positively impact their families, organisations and communities.”
Also, a key highlight of the 18th ABIC 2019 is the Arab Entrepreneurship Rally, a competition designed to encourage and assist all Arab university students to convert their innovative business ideas into start-up enterprises.
The competition will provide students with an opportunity to make a positive impact on society through technological innovation, whilst contributing to their own economic benefit.
Students from the Arab region will be invited to take part in submitting their innovative business ideas with the opportunity of having them reviewed and recognised by designated experts.
Through its sponsors and partners, students will be awarded for their efforts and play an active role in inspiring and unleashing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Three winners from the region will be announced at the conference in November and an impressive cash prize will be handed to them to facilitate converting their ideas into action.
Dr Hashim Hussein, head UNIDO ITPO and AICEI Bahrain, said, “In line with the success achieved during the previous versions of WEIF; this year’s theme is ‘Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Entrepreneurship & Innovation’ but with special focus on ‘Investing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution in a Digital Economy’.
“WEIF 2019 will highlight and promote the role of impactful investment and innovation towards economic development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Discussions will also focus on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of developing countries, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, in attaining these goals.”
avinash@gdn.com.bh
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