Main Conference Day 2Wednesday, 16 October 2024 - GT (Gulf Time, GMT+04:00)

What are the top five factors behind the Middle East’s rising prominence on the world stage? How have perceptions of the region shifted in recent years? Discussing the roles of visa incentives and residency programmes in attracting investors and boosting entrepreneurship in the region. What are the top fund domiciles for foreign investment firms and which jurisdictions are the next contenders?

The Future of Open Finance: Embracing Blockchain Technology

Why? Unveil how blockchain technology is set to empower financial industry: by highlighting the critical challenges facing the financial sector—cybersecurity threats, inefficiencies, and trust issues—and demonstrate how blockchain addresses these with enhanced security, efficiency, and transparency.

What? Explore real-world applications transforming finance, including cross-border payments and investments.

How? How Investors, asset managers and governments to discover/employ the immense opportunities from reduced costs to access to new markets

Lights, camera, investment: how is Saudi Arabia’s heavy investment into the film industry creating a buzz for business? Competition on the field: how have the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and PIF’s ownership stakes in the Pro League’s ‘Big Four’ ignited a new era in Middle East sports? Tourism is top of mind: with countries in the region achieving dramatic increases in visitors since 2023, and with huge architectural projects like the construction of NEOM, how is the private capital sector maximising its economic and social opportunities? What other hot entertainment trends are set to rock the world?

How is the Middle East developing its local ecosystem and industries to attract and retain talent, fostering homegrown financial growth? What is the performance of regional PE and VC in the Middle East and how are governments speeding up innovation, creating new spaces and boosting local empowerment? Evaluating Saudi Arabia’s 2024 Regional Headquarters (RHQ) programme: summary, regulatory requirements and incentives.

How are investors navigating and mitigating reputational, environmental and cyber risks? What role does diversification play in crisis management strategies and what are investors specifically diversifying? Lessons learned from the past: how can these insights inform future Middle East investment decisions? One size does not fit all: preventing generalisations and tailoring risk management strategies to suit the diverse landscapes of Middle Eastern nations.

Which nation is taking its spot as the primary economic powerhouse in the Middle East, and why? What are the key differences in market dynamics and how do they impact business? How do international investors perceive the barriers and advantages of the KSA vs. the UAE? In the broader geopolitical context, to what extent does strategic partnership outweigh division and rivalry between both nations?

Or does it? How are investors in the Middle East balancing environmental and social impact with financial returns and what strategies are proving effective in this regard? What role does infrastructure, agriculture and food security play in the sustainability agenda of the Middle East and how are investors approaching opportunities to address them? In what ways are governments, regulators, investors and businesses in the region taking action within sustainable finance initiatives including green bond issuance? What measures are being implemented to ensure the credibility and transparency of sustainable investment projects?

How influencers can advocate for sustainable and ethical investment opportunities and the impact of social media on promoting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investments.

How is the Middle Eastern and international life sciences landscape evolving and which investment areas are the most impactful and profitable? By what means will the National Biotechnology Strategy accelerate Saudi Arabia’s position in this sector? Which other regions are ripe for life sciences investment? Collaboration between academia and industry: exploring success stories and R&D spending plans on the horizon.

How is cross-border collaboration between all three transforming the investment dynamics in MENA? What are the highs and lows each region has faced in the last year? What big plans are yet to unfold in each territory?

7 mins presentations each followed by 9 mins Q&A once all have presented

In what ways is the Middle East positioning itself as a hub for Southeast Asia and Africa, leveraging synergies to diversify the region’s economic landscape? Stories of success: where are the big opportunities for cooperation in the infrastructure and tech and VC industries, and what has worked well so far? The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): how can India and other participating nations benefit in the realm of business? A glimpse into the unexpected and untapped sources of revenue, with the aim to take private capital to the next level.