Engage DXB Forum 2019 to build on public-private collaboration for faster and sustainable growth
The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai will bring together the local business community, public sector decision-makers and the academia at the ‘Engage DXB Forum 2019’ for a dialogue on the policies, strategies and partnerships required to develop the emirate’s economy in a sustainable manner.
Part of the Business Community Engagement initiative launched by DED in 2017 to create a platform for the business community and the government to collaborate on building a future-ready economy, the Forum will be held on the 30th of January 2019.
The annual Forum is also aligned to DED’s mandate to develop a competitive policy framework and programmes that support growth of strategic economic sectors. The 2019 Forum will be held under the theme ‘Engage, Foresight, Collaborate,’ reaffirming the need for the public and private sectors working closer together in co-investing and co-developing the future economy of Dubai, DED officials said while announcing the details of the event at a press briefing today.
Over 300 representatives from the various business councils and groups in Dubai are expected to attend the Forum along with senior government and public sector executives. "We are delighted to host this strategic event for the third year in a row and we are committed to maintaining and enhancing constructive relationships with our private sector partners," said Mohammed Shaal Al Saadi, CEO, Corporate Strategic Affairs in DED.
“Public-private sector dialogue is essential to exchanging ideas on growth and development, formulating the best business strategies and promoting innovation across both the sectors. The Engage DBB Forum is a platform for direct interaction between all stakeholders and enables all concerned to foresee challenges as well as opportunities and be future-ready. We believe that the initiatives that will be announced at the event will contribute to creating new economic value for Dubai," stated Al Saadi.
Through the Forum, DED is seeking the active participation and creativity of the business community on reforms and initiatives aimed to support economic activity as well as in designing the future projects map of DED, Al Saadi added.
The one-day Forum will feature discussions and interactive sessions as well as insights on the global mega trends affecting business in Dubai. Their Excellences Engineer Mohammed Ahmed Al Shehhi, Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy, and Abdullah Al Basti, Secretary General at the General Secretariate of the Executive Council in Dubai, will provide an overview of the pro-business policy reforms being implemented federally and locally.
The future challenges in Dubai’s flagship retail sector will be evaluated at a dedicated panel discussion in the Forum by sector leaders and academicians, including: Andrea Gordon, Director – Retail, Dubai Design District; Rahul Misra, Associate Vice President, Retail Business Group, Eros Group; Dr. Ali Al Azzawi, City Experience Advisor, Smart Dubai Office; Dharmin Ved, CEO, E-Commerce at The Apparel Group; and Dr. Cathy Sheen, Professor, University of Wollongong. Muna Al Nuaimi, Expert at DED’s Future Economy Department will moderate the session.
