MANAMA: A new logo of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) unveiled on the eve of 80th anniversary celebrations coupled with the Cabinet approval to the new bylaws made yesterday a ‘Super Monday’, the chamber’s top official has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 18th Arab Businessmen and Investors Conference (ABIC) and the 3rd edition of the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum 2019 (WEIF 2019) at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, BCCI chairman Sameer Nass said for the first time ever His Majesty King Hamad would be joining the chamber’s 80th anniversary special celebrations, making it a historic occasion.
The new logo of BCCI is simply the words ‘Bahrain Chamber’ which replaces a sketch of the Beit Al Tijjar building along with the words Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the old logo, he said.
Mr Nass said this means the chamber is now considered a partner of the government as it continues to develop the economy through enabling legislation and other measures to stimulate the various sectors and attract international investment.
Organised and supported by the 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 conference will lead investment in the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital innovation in Arab countries, said a statement.
The events are being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad with the slogan: “4th Industrial Revolution: Shaping the future – Digital disruptions for a better tomorrow”.
The main objectives will be to drive investment in entrepreneurship and innovation that will support the digital revolution in the Arab world. It will also highlight the opportunities and challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution to key stakeholders from the private and public sectors.
Emphasis will also be laid on understanding the need to move ahead and align with global developments and disruptive innovations which are driving major breakthroughs across many industries and sectors, said Mr Nass.
“Selecting the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital economy as the main theme of the conference comes in light of their major impact on economies around the world, and the transformation in business operations.
“We believe it is necessary to keep abreast of such technologies and utilise the applications of artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency of operations and the quality of end products and services.”
The conference aims at achieving a number of goals including exploring investment and business opportunities related to the implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution, exhibiting success stories from the Arab region, highlighting the prospective role of the youth and women in leading the transformation to a digital economy.
The event has attracted 1,500 participants from across the globe to a first-of-its-kind forum in the region, representing a variety of expertise including key policy decision-makers, regulators, business investors, entrepreneurs and global influencers.
Also, a key highlight of 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 startup 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.
The WEIF 2019 is being held under the theme: “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Entrepreneurship and Innovation” but with special focus on “Investing in the 4th 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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