3rd Arab-British Economic Summit 2023

Countries across the MENA region are intensifying their efforts towards food security, improved management of scarce water resources and healthcare for their citizens, leading to increased innovation in these key sectors vital for human life, wellbeing, sustainability as well as economic development. To mitigate disruptions to fragile global supply chains and learning the lessons of the pandemic and the impact of a protracted war in Europe, agricultural self-sufficiency, water security and people’s health are increasingly adopted as strategic priorities. There is a growing recognition of the potential solutions offered by tech and innovation in these vital interlinked areas, with new opportunities emerging in areas like med tech, agri-tech and vertical farming. The session will address the potential for building cooperation between companies that boast the relevant technical expertise and the role of innovative startups working in partnership with government.

Agri-tech – vertical farming - green energy – water use and reuse – healthcare and med tech finance and investment for future sustainability

As banks, non-bank financial institutions and the financial services industry continue to respond to rising consumer expectations and new technologies such as cloud and AI, banks are harnessing the potential of digital to improve service delivery and achieve competitive edge. Evaluating the scope for greater Arab-British cooperation, speakers will consider the key trends that are transforming the industry and the evolving relationship of institutions with their customers including the rise of non-bank institutions as sources of credit, insurance products, the Fintech sector and investment firms. The session will look at the regulatory frameworks, legal measures and best practice to ensure data protection and minimize risk.

Technology and banking – response of traditional banks – changing customer demand – Islamic finance - corporate social responsibility.

The session will look at how the MENA countries and GCC in particular have become some of the most exciting e-commerce markets in the world. The Gulf countries are global leaders in addressing the challenges posed by the rise of Artificial Intelligence and they are adopting key strategies to deal with the opportunities that AI presents with ambitions to adapt AI techniques and integrate them across economic sectors from health, education, transport, communications and energy.

E-commerce is growing in sophistication with the technology aware younger population driving forward demand for more innovative products. The forthcoming UK-GCC free trade agreement should create much more potential for partnership across the AI and e-commerce space offering new opportunities for trailblazing British E-commerce innovators many of which are fast growing SMEs.

Why MENA is now one of the world’s most exciting e-commerce markets – Opportunities for British innovation in E-commerce and AI – Growth of AI and future market trends – untapped potential for sharing expertise and partnership – AI and the UK-GCC free trade agreement.

This session will examine how the Arab World today stands right at the centre of global efforts to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. Following on from COP27 held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022, COP28 is set to open in Expo City Dubai, on 30 November 2023, where bold, practical and ambitious solutions will be reviewed and agreed to reduce emissions, meet international obligations and secure sustainable development for the region and world. Continued advances across the Arab countries are guided by a core vision of sustainable development opening up investment in ambitious new projects that offer new vital revenue streams and job creation in areas such as new technologies, transport, infrastructure, hospitality, leisure, education and training and environmental protection. Speakers will address how the COP28 agenda and the sustainable economic development priorities go hand in hand. VisitBritain will explore how tourism is an enabler of cultural and economic exchange, outlining its campaigns the Gulf to drive visitor growth and attracting visitors from across the region to Britain’s economy while building a sustainable, innovative and accessible destination.

This session will discuss how entrepreneurs contribute to national prosperity through cutting edge innovation. Speakers will look at policy priorities of Arab countries to build a culture of entrepreneurship and the factors that shape success. The session will also consider how closer partnership between education institutions and business can develop the skillsets required to achieve market success, how entrepreneurs inspire others, successful leadership, opportunities from franchising and the impact of digital technology.

Creating a seedbed for innovation - incubation and accelerating creative talent - Incentives and financial support for start-ups - importance of mentoring