Business & Money | Monday 8 May, 2017 3:16 am |

 

Euromoney, the world’s leading organiser of conferences for cross-border investment and capital markets, kicked off its Euromoney Emirates Conference today (Monday). Co-hosted by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), the FDI office operating under the government of Sharjah, the conference brings together more than 35 leading thinkers on economics, finance and business to define how the UAE can accelerate its journey towards becoming the region’s standout innovation economy.

The two-day conference themed ‘Finance and Investment for an Innovative Economy’, is held until 9 May at the Sheraton Hotel in Sharjah, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamad bin Sultan Al Qasimi Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

In a uniquely insightful two days of interactive panel discussions, in-depth interviews, debates and Q&A sessions, economic models and policy shifts needed to sustain investment growth and encourage innovation across industries will be highlighted. This is aimed at enabling financial institutions and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to better adapt to latest and more secure technologies in an innovative economy.

Keynote speeches will be provided by leading international business experts and top government officials, most notably, HE Younis Haji Alkhoori, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Finance, HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Richard Banks, Consulting Editor, Euromoney Conferences.

Commenting on Sharjah as a choice to host the latest edition of the Euromoney Conference, Mohammed Juma Al Musharrkh, Director of Invest in Sharjah said: “The fact that Sharjah has been chosen to launch one the world’s foremost financial events in the UAE, provides testimony to the leading role the emirate has played in bringing economic diversification and financial innovations to the region and the world,” highlighting the pivotal role Sharjah has and continues to play in driving and facilitating the UAE’s economic growth. 

A comprehensive programme spread across the two days of the conference, will feature five leading-edge panel discussions that will provide crucial insights into: the macroeconomic imperatives for innovative economies with a focus on the UAE; the relevance of free zones, and how they can contribute to an innovative economy; the role of SMEs, GCC venture capital firms and angel investors in fueling sustainable growth in the UAE; innovations in the country’s banking sector in light of high mobile penetration and the issue of cybersecurity; and will assess if capital market development and innovation capital are necessary for the creation of an innovation economy.

The conference will offer its audiences of business leaders and decision makers the opportunity to exchange ideas, develop new contacts and listen into special sessions, one of which will tackle the subject of the disruption economy. An interactive discussion on the role of education and scientific research as foundations of innovative economy will be led by Dr Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor, American University of Sharjah, where he will highlight the role of research in building a knowledge economy based on innovation and creativity.

Al Musharrkh added: “The highest profile delegates will meet the highest profile speakers at the Euromoney Emirates Conference, which will serve as a prolific networking platform for regional and global investment professionals. We look forward to bringing the best know-how in international finance under one roof for terrific discussions that will surely open up brand new avenues for collaboration, which we will share with our partners and investors from all around the world. We are eager to forge new, mutually beneficial partnerships and exchange ideas that will further our efforts towards establishing a fully integrated innovative economy.”