OVERVIEW .... 2nd Arab-British Economic Forum taking place on 21st October. The forum will bring together senior government officials, diplomats, business executives, investors and decision makers from the UK and the Arab World to discuss new opportunities for business and investment partnerships.
In our continuing efforts to further promote cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Arab world, and following the enormous success of the 1st Arab-British Economic Forum, the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be organising the 2nd Arab-British Economic Forum. The aim of this major high profile event is to provide a unique platform for fostering business dialogue and cooperation, which will contribute to strengthening the commercial ties and deepening of cooperation and investment opportunities between the United Kingdom and the Arab world. The event will bring together senior government officials, diplomats, business executives, investors and decision makers from the UK and the Arab world in order to discuss new opportunities for business and investment partnerships that are emerging in a range of key economic sectors. The 2nd Arab-British Economic Forum is organised by the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Jordan Chamber of Commerce, League of Arab States, the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and United Kingdom Trade & Investment (UKTI). The forum will take place on Tuesday, 21st October 2014 in London, United Kingdom.
PROGRAMME
Event Programme
08:30 - 09:30 Delegate Registration
at the Millennium Hotel
44 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HP
09:30 - 10:30 Conference Opening
Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby
Secretary General & Chief Executive
Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC)
The Rt Hon Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
Chairman
Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC)
H.E. Mr Nael Raja Al Kabariti
Chairman
Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC)
Arab speaker (tbc)
Position
British speaker (tbc)
Position
Jordan speaker (tbc)
Position
10:30 - 11:45 Session 1: Business Opportunities in Jordan
The Next Frontier: Creation of Sustainable Trading Patterns and Focus on the New Approaches to Investment
2ND ARAB-BRITISH ECONOMIC FORUM Conference and Gala Dinner
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan presents a host of opportunities for British companies seeking to do business abroad. The economic system is based on free enterprise and personal initiative which is demonstrated in its economic strength. In the last decade, Jordan has experienced robust economic growth and has fared well in the last several years since the global economic downturn. With a track record of political and financial stability borne out of the competency of the Central Bank of Jordan, the country is emerging as a regional economic hub, offering attractive assets to foreign investors and businesses.
11:45 - 12:00 Networking Coffee Break
12:00 - 13:15 Session 2: Islamic Banking & Sukuk
Cooperation and Collaboration: New Opportunities in Financial Services
With over 300 Islamic banks and investment firms world-wide, Islamic Banking & Finance plays a pivotal role in supporting growth and expansion throughout the Arab World, attracting unprecedented levels of interest from banking groups and private equity firms in Britain, the Arab World and beyond. Recent developments have seen index provider MSCI upgrade some regional states to emerging market status, a move expected to draw in billions of capital flow, placing stock markets of the countries in question on a par with those of the BRICS countries.
13:15 - 14:15 Networking Lunch
14:15 - 15:30 Session 3: Energy Sustainability
New Horizons: Sustainable Development of Energy Resources
As one of the world’s greatest exporters of oil and gas, the MENA has gained renown as a global producer of energy. The region is also expected to account for a large proportion of the world energy consumption growth into 2030 which means that energy is an increasingly important opportunity for exploration and investment with the Arab World. Renewable energy also has huge potential within MENA countries as the area finds itself at the heart of the global discussion around energy sustainability and the latest innovations and technology to allow supply to meet the ever increasing demand.
15:30 - 15:45 Networking Coffee Break
15:45 - 17:00 Session 4: Logistics & Technology The Transformative Power of Technology: Supporting Innovation and Effective Response to New Logistics and Technologies
Logistics and technology is a large and fast-developing business sector within the MENA region. The popularity of new media within the region has grown exponentially and so too has company interest in the use of new technology as an advertising and marketing platform. Digital advertising in the Middle East and North Africa previously only accounted for 4% of the region’s total advertising spending at a cost of around $200 million. However, according to recent research the spending on digital advertising is set to increase by 35% in the 3 years from 2013, which in turn, is estimated to generate around $580 million across the region by 2015.
19:00 - 22:30 Gala Dinner
at the Millennium Hotel
44 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HP
(Dress code: Lounge Suit / Cocktail Dress)
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The event will attract the keen eye of Arab and British governments and industry seeking to develop their interest in the strategically important markets and will offer many opportunities for high profile networking. It is expected that a large number of key policy makers, executives and investors from the UK and Arab world will participate in this important forum.
Audience will include:
• Banking & Finance (including capital investment and Islamic finance)
• Energy and Renewable Energy
• Technology & Cyber Security (all IT firms)
• Logistics & Transport (transport providers)
• Construction & Infrastructure (including developers)
• Education (public and private) • Tourism & Hospitality (hotels, airlines, holiday resorts)
• Healthcare (public and private)
• Retail (international retail chains)
Also invited:
• Ambassadors
• Embassy personnel
• Arab Chambers of Commerce
• British Chambers of Commerce
• Industry Executives
• Investment Authorities and Institutions
• ABCC members • Media
PARTNERS
Arab-British Chamber of Commerce
The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) is a membership organisation, founded in 1975, to promote economic activity and facilitate trade in both directions between the UK and the 22 member countries of the League of Arab States. The Chamber’s mission is to help companies take advantage of the unlocked business potential whether they are new to the markets or more experienced players wishing to extend their operations to the Arab World. Over the years the Chamber has developed a broad range of services, expertise and knowledge which prove invaluable to both British and Arab businesses. Joining the Chamber offers companies a strategic advantage by putting them in contact with a wide and influential professional business network which is centred on our strong and productive ties with Arab and British chambers of commerce and the broader Arab-British business communities.
Jordan Chamber of Commerce
The Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC) was established in 1955. Its primary responsibility is to cooperate, through dialogue, with the country various private and public sector bodies and to play an advisory role vis-à-vis government and parliament. The principle activities of JCC include representing the general interest of the business community, providing information and advice to members, promoting economic development, providing market information and economic statistics, encouraging foreign investment, and facilitating international trade.
Arab League
The Arab League is an organization that consists of 22 independent Arab States on the territory of northern and north-eastern part of Africa and the Middle East. The League's main goal is to "draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries". Through institutions such as the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League's Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU), the Arab League facilitates political, economic, cultural, scientific and social programs designed to promote the interests of the Arab world.
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General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
The General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries was established in 1951 in Beirut, Lebanon. The General Union is a non-governmental organization that represents the Arab private sector on the regional and international level and which calls for the strengthening of the inner Arab cooperation. The General Union assumes a major role in promoting regional cooperation among Arab chambers and works towards promoting Arab economic interests abroad, particularly with respect to exports and for the rationalization of imports and investments.
United Kingdom Trade & Investment
United Kingdom Trade & Investment (UKTI) works with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports. We encourage and support overseas companies to look at the UK as the best place to set up or expand their business. We have professional advisers around the UK and staff across more than 100 countries. Our headquarters are in London. We are responsible for international trade and investment, helping UK companies achieve their potential overseas through exporting, and encouraging investment in the UK by overseas businesses.
London & Partners
London & Partners is the official promotional organisation for London. London & Partners is a not-for-profit public private partnership, funded by the Mayor of London and our network of commercial partners. We work in partnership with organisations in London and across the world to deliver our vision and mission. London & Partners was created in order to bring together the remits of the capital's promotional agencies: Think London, Study London and Visit London. The aim is to create one single promotional organisation for London that can speak with one voice, vision and mission to all audiences in the UK and internationally.
The British Chambers of Commerce
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is a dynamic, high-profile and independent business network, with Chambers across the UK. Local Chambers sit at the heart of the community, working with businesses of all sizes, and representing all sectors. Our mission is to make the Chamber network an essential part of growing business; we do this by sharing opportunities, knowledge and expertise