UAE Economic Forum 2019 To Feature 30 Speakers

Dubai Economy announced that 30 speakers will address the UAE Economic forum 2019, being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and organised jointly by the Ministry of Economy and all the economic departments in the seven emirates. The forum, titled ‘The UAE Enterprising Economy: Resilience, Growth, & Prosperity,’ will take place 11 – 12 December at the Armani Hotel, Dubai. The inaugural forum seeks to present the economic prospects in the UAE and its seven emirates, highlighting the current strategic plans adopted by each emirate and the federal government as well as exchanging experiences and identifying areas to enhance cooperation.

The speakers comprise decision-makers, local and foreign private sector representatives, experts, and researchers. Current and proposed initiatives and projects in the public and private sectors will be highlighted, with the aim to support short- to medium-term growth by bringing together representatives from various academic institutions, think tanks, research and consulting organisations, and regional and international organisations. The Forum is expected to put forward a series of recommendations and each will be followed by an interactive discussion with the audience.

His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of Dubai Economy, said: “We expect the forum to attract wide attention locally and internationally. It is one of the most prominent annual economic forums in the country, representing a unified and exclusive platform for launching the economic reports of the seven emirates. The event will witness active participation at various economic level and contribute to the dialogue on the future economy of Dubai and the UAE.”

The forum will kick-off with the launch of the official reports, including the UAE Economic Report 2019, presented by Nada Al Hashimi from the Ministry of Economy; the Dubai Economic Report 2019, presented by Sana Mohammad, Director of Economic Planning at Dubai Economy;  the Abu Dhabi Economic Report 2019, presented by Dahi Al Mansoori, Director of the Department of Studies at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; and the Sharjah Economic Report 2019, which will be presented by  Dr Amr Saleh, Economic Advisor, Department of Economic Development, Sharjah. The session will conclude with an overview of Ajman indicators by Salem Al Ghaferi, Director of Economic Licensing.

A panel discussion titled ‘Weathering Uncertainties, the Role of Technology’ will be chaired by Shady ElBorno, Head of Macro Strategy Research at Emirates National Bank of Dubai (ENBD), and will witness the participation of Marwan Al Serkal, Executive Chairman of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Osman Sultan, Former CEO of DU Telecom; Dr Fatima Al Shamsi from Paris Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi; and HE Ohoud Ali Shehail, Director General of Ajman Digital Government.

A session titled ‘Global and UAE Economic Performance and Outlooks’ will also take place, chaired by Mohammed Shael Alsaadi, CEO – Corporate Strategic Affairs Sector, Dubai Economy. The session will have Dr Farouk Soussa, Vice President, Goldman Sachs, speaking on ‘Global and Regional Economic Outlooks’ while Dr Al Hassan Jouaouine from the Ministry of Economy will review the UAE Economic Outlook and Dr Mohammed Lahouel, Chief Economist at Dubai Economy will review the Dubai Economic Outlook. The opening day will conclude with a speech titled ‘Abu Dhabi Economic Outlook,’ presented by Dahi Yousef A. Al Mansoori, Acting Executive Director at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

The forum will resume on the second day with a panel discussion titled ‘Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as Engines of Growth,’ chaired by HE Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah (DGR). UAE entrepreneur Khalifa Al Jaziri; Karl Feilder, CEO, Neutral Fuel; Yousif Kruse, Chairman, SME Committee, UAE Banking Federation; and Arjan Oude Kotte, Director, Small & Medium Business, Microsoft will be the other speakers at the session.

HE Saeed Al Nazari, Director General of Federal Youth Authority, will deliver a speech on the role of the youth in supporting entrepreneurship, and the World Bank’s Human Capital Index will be launched with a focus on the UAE, by Sameh Al Saharti, Director of Human Development Programme in the Gulf States, World Bank. Essam Al Disi, Director, Strategy & Policy at Dubai SME, will launch the Dubai SME Report.

A panel discussion on ‘The Future of Retail’ led by Laila Mohammad Suhail, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), and attended by Mohammed Ali Yusuf, Head of Digital Commerce, MENA, Visa; Mahmood Al Bastaki, Chairman of Dubai Trade, DT World, DP World; Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Director, Chalhoub Group; and Dr Sami Mahroum, Director, Research and Strategies, Dubai Future Foundation, will bring the Forum to a close on the final day.