Dubai, UAE: Businesses and government leaders from the European Union and the GCC will convene at the 6th EU-GCC Business Forum, taking place at the Residence Palace in Brussels on the 24th of November 2022. The event will discuss ‘People, Place, Prosperity: Rebuilding After the Pandemic’ in the 6th of a series of European Union (EU) & Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Business Forums, being held in Europe and the Gulf.
The 6th EU-GCC Business Forum will address current climate change, energy security, environmental, and digital transition challenges in EU and GCC countries. Within the policy framework of the Joint Communication on ‘A Strategic Partnership with the Gulf’, recent EU policy initiatives such as the Global Gateway, Circular Economy Development and the Green Deal provide a framework for global action with strategic partners such as the member states of the GCC.
Overarching themes will be addressed in the Business Forum’s keynote Opening session by Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice President of the European Commission and by Dr. Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations at the Gulf Cooperation Council and will be further explored in detail in subsequent panel discussions. The adoption and implementation of these strategies are important, not only for Europe’s future economic structure, but also for offering potential models and partnerships for other countries across the world, including the member states of the GCC. This policy and programme focus will be complemented at the event by discussions from both EU and GCC representatives on market responsive approaches to facilitating trade and investment, particularly for SMEs.
Policy areas the event will focus on include; The New Concept of Industry 5.0 and the Evolution of the Fourth Industrial Revolution; Maximising Business Opportunities from the Green Deal and Circular Economy and Innovation; and Digitalisation and Creativity – How Policy Makers Can Spur Innovation in the Digital Economy. In addition, a panel will examine the business environments of both the EU and GCC and make recommendations for improvements to accelerate economic development.
Commenting on the event, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis said: “The Sixth EU-GCC Business Forum is an expression of the strength of ongoing bilateral relations and increasing ties between the EU and GCC. The Forum is an important platform for leading government officials and senior executives from the private sector to openly discuss key topics such as trade and investment, digitilisation, energy, the green economy, and sustainable tourism aimed at strengthening linkages and enhancing collaboration to foster a thriving, inclusive and sustainable future for all. The EU GCC Business Forum will build on the traditional strong links that already exist
between individual GCC and EU Member States. We look forward to strengthening this cooperation with a clear focus on delivering results.”
Distinguished speakers include senior representatives from both EU and GCC governments, the private sector and academia. More information about the business forum is available at https://eugcc.eu/ where participants can register. For those unable to attend the Business Forum physically, the event will be live streamed.
Registered delegates will also benefit from a Business Matchmaking tool on the portal that helps them connect with fellow industry professionals based on common goals and areas of interest where they can explore commercial opportunities on a one-to-one confidential basis.
In addition to the exciting debates and presentations, the EU-GCC Business Forum will end with a networking reception, a unique opportunity for networking with innovators, governments, and businesses from Europe and the Gulf region.
About the EU-GCC Dialogue on Economic Diversification project
The EU-GCC Dialogue on Economic Diversification is a project funded by the EU under the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
The project contributes to stronger EU-GCC relations by supporting the GCC countries in the ongoing process of economic diversification away from hydrocarbon dependent sectors.
The purpose of this project is to promote climate-friendly trade, investment and economic affairs related policy analysis, dialogue and cooperation between stakeholders from EU and GCC at both regional and country levels in the context of the GCC economic diversification process.
Result of the project so far are:
- Strengthening the cooperation and dialogue between EU and GCC countries s in the areas of trade, investment, and economic affairs
- Strengthening policy analysis related to EU-GCC trade, investment, and economic affairs
- Enhancing flow of information between EU and GCC stakeholders enhanced trade, investment, and economic affairs
