Page 931 - MOE ENGLISH PR - MAY 2024

5/10/24, 8:32 AM Economy Middle East Summit 2024 highlights economic growth prospects in the MENA region
Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Executive Director,
International Monetary Fund; Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at Standard &

Poor's Markets Intelligence; and Andrew Torre, Regional President of Visa for the Central

and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region. The session was moderated by Ziad
Daoud, Chief Emerging Markets Economist, Bloomberg Economics, and highlighted the

importance of strategic economic diversification, innovation ecosystems and the role of
foreign investments. It also discussed emerging industries, investment opportunities, and

the role of the Middle East in the rapidly evolving international business environment.

In panel two, ‘MENA Economic Outlook: Adapting to New Global Realities,’ H.E. Dr. Hala
Elsaid, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Egypt, Roberta Gatti, who

attended virtually, Chief Economist for the MENA region at the World Bank and Dr. Nasser
Saidi, President and Founder Nasser Saidi & Associates Former DIFC Chief Economist,

Economic Adviser & Consultant, focused on how geopolitical shifts affect regional

economies, including Middle East conflicts, the Red Sea's strategic importance and
changes within BRICS countries. They analyzed economic policies' impact on stability and

growth, offering insights for exploring this evolving landscape. The session was
moderated by Dr. Rawaa Harati, Founder & CEO, KINZ consultancy.

The ‘Digital Frontiers in Finance: Exploring Tomorrow’s Financial Services Landscape,’

panel examined accelerating digital transformation, embracing fintech innovations and
navigating regulatory challenges. Speakers included Emmanuel Givanakis, CEO of FSRA

at ADGM, Rola Abu Manneh, CEO of Standard Chartered UAE, Middle East, and
Pakistan, Damian Hitchen, CEO of Saxo Bank MENA, and the moderator Jean Abou Assi,

Partner leading digital financial services at PwC Middle East. They also discussed future

market trade, highlighting the interplay between innovation and regulation and shared
insights on adapting to an ever-evolving regulatory landscape.

The session ‘Tourism: The Pillar of Economic Strength,’ was moderated by Sunil John,

founder of Asdaa’ BCW and former CEO of the MENA region for BCW. This discussion
examined tourism as a key driver of economic growth, contributing to job creation,

infrastructure development and cultural exchange, including its effects on small

businesses and regional investment. Tourism serves as a double engine for the Gulf
region, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation while fostering cultural

understanding, though growth must be balanced for environmental sustainability.

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