A key forum that will discuss several crucial aspects related to industrial development in Bahrain and the rest of the Gulf region will be held on February 8, the second day of the 2012 Gulf Industry Fair in Bahrain. Gulf Industry Forum 2012 follows the huge success of the first Gulf Industry Forum in 2010.

Topics coming under the microscope at the forum include Powering Industrial Development, Developing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Market Innovation and Creating Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses.

The forum, to be held at the exhibition venue, Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIECC), will feature influential personalities from government, industry and business laying out their visions for the long-term economic prosperity of Bahrain and the Gulf region under the theme, ‘The Future is Industry’, said a statement issued by the organisers of the forum and exhibition, Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE).

It added that the forum format would facilitate a frank and open exchange of information, news and opinions between speakers and all delegates in an intellectual environment. 

Confirmed speakers for event
Confirmed speakers to date include Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Bahrain’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Sheikh Daij Al Khalifa, chairman of Bahrain Logistics Zone; Khalid Al Qadeeri, CEO, Foulath Steel, and Mahmood Daylami, general secretary, Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC).

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.

HCE’s Davos vision
HCE conference director Ahmed Suleiman said: “The inaugural forum laid the foundations for HCE’s 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. 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.”

The second Gulf Industry Forum provides an additional opportunity for businessmen and industrialists from all over the region and internationally visiting the Gulf Industry Fair to exchange information, views and opinions about the future of industry in the Gulf.

The 2010 forum featured Dr Hassan Fakhro, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Shaikh Daij in his capacity as chairman, General Organisation for Seaports (GOP), both from Bahrain.

Leading Saudi industrialist Dr Solaiman A Al Twaijri, managing director and CEO, Saudi Arabian Amiantit Company, delivered the entrepreneurs’ view of ‘The Future is Industry’.

Other speakers included Mahmood Al Kooheji, chairman of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba); Faisal Al Mahroos, chief executive, Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco); Praveen Kadle, managing director, Tata Capital; Nicholas Moy, chairman, Gryphen Investment Bank; and Ameet Shah, co-chairman and director, Astonfield Management Inc.

Al Hilal Group chairman Anwar Abdulrahman chaired the inaugural forum.

The forum is organised by Bahrain-based HCE in association with international event consultancy North Star Associates. It will be held alongside Gulf Industry Fair taking place from February 7 to 9, 2012.