Abu Dhabi Economic Summit to be held on February 28

ABU DHABI – The Abu Dhabi Economic Summit, scheduled for 28 February, will bring together experts from government, business, finance and technology to explore new areas of growth.

The summit is hosted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), The Economist Impact Organization

Themed “Looking Ahead: New Frontiers for Economic Growth,” the one-day summit will map the new contours of the global economic landscape, how it has changed over the past five years, and identify the best ways to capitalize on trends, including digitalization and sustainability.

More than 25 speakers and 300 attendees from the fields of government, business finance and technology will gather in Abu Dhabi to discuss strategies and solutions.

The summit will highlight the unique situation in the Middle East, and in particular the GCC, given the region’s growing population and growing geopolitical relevance.

Interaction between government and the private sector will be a consistent theme. Private trade and investment are important engines of economic growth. However, countries around the world have a responsibility to provide a level of support and regulation that makes economic growth fair.

Speakers and panelists will discuss policy options available to governments, as well as strategies to strengthen national capabilities and blueprints for developing innovative and dynamic rather than bureaucratic business ecosystems.

Another theme that came up throughout the conversation was sustainability. There is an imperative to build a greener and more efficient economy, and experts will discuss how to maintain focus on this goal despite the distractions of business cycles and short-term politics.

The summit will also examine the so-called “talent crunch”. Navigating to new frontiers of economic growth will require a different type of workforce, one in which digital skills are invaluable. Participants will consider how organizations must adapt to find, develop and retain the best talent in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.