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Bahrain to become digital economy |
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Bahrain Tribune - 26/09/2007 - Over 300 experts from across world will attend the first Gulf e-Commerce Forum (GEF) to discuss the latest trends, challenges and opportunities for countries in the G.C.C. Bahrain, being the first country to implement e-signature laws among other landmark initiatives paving the way for virtual trade, will be the host of GEF which is to be held from November 26 to 27.
Under the patronage of Dr Hassan Abdulla Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, the event will be held under the title "The Future of Electronic Commerce in the G.C.C." Chairman of the organising committee Prof Jamal Al-Duaij said the event would provide a rare opportunity to participants to discuss, share and deliberate upon all vital aspects of e-commerce and how G.C.C countries can overcome existing challenges.
The chairman was also joined by chief executive officer of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Ahmed Najem, a senior consultant, and president of Gulf Global Economic Consultancy Dr. Hussain Al Mahdi and Zuhair Abdulla Al Bahrani, ministry acting director of the directorate of e-commerce and information technology, and panelists highlighted the salient features of the upcoming forum.
GEF will target an international audience from business and researchers to exchange information regarding the advancement in e-commerce and web-based information systems. The forum will also focus on the emerging research topics and define the future of e-commerce technology, applications and service computing.
Al Bahrani said: "Holding GEF in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time is a confirmation of the leading role that the country plays in adopting e-commerce and technological developments, issues related to e-commerce intellectual properties as well as its role in strengthening the awareness of both policymakers and the general public in areas relating to e-commerce. "The ministry has adopted, since the establishment of the e-commerce and information-technology directorate five years ago, a clear policy aimed at making Bahrain the centre of choice for e-commerce in the region.
"The vision will enable the Kingdom to become a digital economy with knowledge, innovation and the speed of completing transactions through developed systems and national competent qualifications, continuously reacting to developments and building-co-operation bridges between the private and public sectors. The country is regarded as one of the region's unique countries in its e-readiness and IT infrastructure, a factor that helps to promote electronic services.
"We expect that the GEF will become a channel to attract local and foreign investments, international investors, businessmen and heads of multinationals in the area of electronic commerce and in the field of IT, telecommunications and to showcase their innovations and expertise which will greatly benefit the region in general and the Kingdom of Bahrain in particular."
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