Top-level government, industry and business leaders will converge in Bahrain for the second Gulf Industry Forum and lay out their visions for the long-term economic prosperity of Bahrain and the Gulf region.
The forum is being held following the stunning success of the inaugural event held in January last year.
The theme of the forum, scheduled for February 8, is ‘The Future is Industry’.
The forum format will also facilitate a frank and open exchange of information, views and opinions between speakers and all delegates, in an intellectual environment.
Topics to be discussed at the forum, to be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC), include Powering Industrial Development; Developing SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises); Market Innovation; and Creating Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses.
Confirmed speakers to date include Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, Bahrain Logistics Zone chairman Shaikh Daij Al Khalifa, Foulath Steel chief executive officer Khalid Al Qadeeri and Gulf Aluminium Council general secretary Mahmood Daylami.
The 2012 edition of the forum is held as GCC governments forge ahead with massive industrial projects and oil prices recover to more realistic levels.
The future of industry in the region is sustainable and exciting, particularly for the manufacturing and services sectors, which are expected to witness outstanding growth opportunities in the next few years.
“The inaugural forum laid the foundations for Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions’ vision to develop Bahrain as the ‘Davos of the Gulf’ by bringing together leading regional and global experts to share their views on industrialisation in an intellectual environment,” HCE director Ahmed Suleiman said.
Gulf Industry Forum provides a platform for constructive dialogue and ideas among key decision makers and industrialists in an environment of debate, unfettered by distractions of self-promotion,” Suleiman said.
The forum, organised by Bahrain-based HCE in association with international event consultancy North Star Associates, is held alongside HCE’s flagship trade show, Gulf Industry Fair, which will be held from February 8 to 10, also at the BIECC.