Bahrain set to host innovation forum in partnership with EDB
MANAMA: The MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab has announced the launch of its first innovation forum in partnership with Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and Investcorp, a leading provider and manager of alternative investment products.
To be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay from September 27 to 28, the forum is likely to draw more than 400 experts including researchers, entrepreneurs and investors besides innovative start-ups along with top executives from the world’s leading tech companies.
It is the first-of-its-kind in the Arab world, falling within the vision and objectives of the MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) for the Pan Arab Region, which aims to develop and promote a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation and technological proliferation in this part of the world, said the organisers.
Speakers will discuss several issues, including Fintech, an emerging financial services sector that will shape the future of the industry and other topics including autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and cloud computing.
“The forum aspires to gather the brightest minds in the academic, corporates, and start-up communities in an effort to glean insight into the innovations that shape the world economy, which are the product of both global and regional businesses,” MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab chairperson Hala Fadel said.
EDB chief executive Khalid Al Rumaihi said: “Innovation and digital disruption are important drivers of economic growth globally. In Bahrain, both the government and private sector have worked hard to create an ecosystem that will allow innovation to thrive.”
The high standards of hard infrastructure and world-class ICT services as well as soft infrastructure mean that Bahrain is an ideal testing ground for entrepreneurs looking to launch products and services before expanding to the wider region, Mr Al Rumaihi said.
Investcorp’s co-CEO Mohammed Al Shroogi said the company has always been a strong supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Arab world.
“Guided by the importance of these two pillars to Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, we are pleased to be part of this remarkable initiative, which fits perfectly with our long-term commitment to building an innovation-led economy, that accommodates to the growing importance of new trends like fintech and cybersecurity in Bahrain and the wider region,” Mr Al Shoorgi said.
