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5/10/24, 8:32 AM Economy Middle East Summit 2024 Highlights Economic Growth Prospects in the MENA Region - Middle East Business News an…
In the first panel discussion, ‘Economic Frontiers: Navigating the Global Landscape in 2024
and Beyond,’ speakers included Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on 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. Speakers included H.E. Saeed Ali Obaid Al Fazari, Executive

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