The 14th edition of the MEET ICT Conference and BITEX Exhibition has successfully concluded in Bahrain, bringing together government representatives, technology leaders, industry experts, businesses and ICT solution providers for two days of insight, collaboration and innovation.
Held on October 27 and 28 at the Gulf Convention Centre, Gulf Hotel Bahrain, the event placed artificial intelligence and digital transformation at the centre of conversations about the region’s technology future.
Organised by the Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH), in collaboration with WorkSmart for Events Management, MEET ICT & BITEX 2026 was held under the theme “AI: Driving the Digital Economy of Tomorrow.” The event provided a meeting point for the public and private sectors to exchange perspectives, discover emerging solutions and explore opportunities to strengthen Bahrain’s position as a connected, competitive and innovation-driven digital economy.
The event was officially opened by Dr Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of the Kingdom of Bahrain. In his opening remarks, the minister highlighted Bahrain’s continued commitment to developing a competitive digital economy through investment in advanced infrastructure and the adoption of modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. He also emphasised the importance of deploying AI responsibly, safely and inclusively, with people at the centre of technological progress.
Across the conference programme, discussions and presentations explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the ICT landscape, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data and analytics, digital infrastructure, smart technologies, FinTech and the wider digital transformation of businesses and public services. The sessions encouraged knowledge-sharing and practical discussion on how organisations can apply emerging technologies to improve services, productivity, resilience and competitiveness.
Running alongside the conference, BITEX 2026 brought technology companies and solution providers together on the exhibition floor to showcase products, services and innovations to visitors, delegates and decision-makers. The exhibition created valuable opportunities for engagement, business networking and conversations around potential partnerships, while giving attendees direct access to solutions supporting digital transformation across multiple sectors.
The second day continued the momentum with a programme of practical workshops, including sessions delivered by ThinkSmart and GBM. The workshops attracted strong participation, with full attendance and many CIOs and delegates taking part across the sessions. The hands-on discussions helped translate the event’s broader technology themes into practical insights for organisations exploring AI adoption and enterprise transformation.
The successful conclusion of this year’s edition reflects the strength and continued development of Bahrain’s ICT ecosystem, as well as the value of bringing decision-makers, technology providers and innovators together on one platform. The organisers extend their sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, BTECH, sponsors, strategic and interactive partners, exhibitors, speakers, moderators, panellists, workshop trainers, delegates, visitors and all participating organisations whose support and contributions made the event possible.
As MEET ICT and BITEX look ahead to future editions, the event remains committed to creating meaningful connections, encouraging collaboration and showcasing the technologies and ideas that can help shape a smarter, more resilient and future-ready digital economy for Bahrain and the wider GCC, said organisers. – TradeArabia News Service
