Following the stunning success of the inaugural Gulf Industry Forum (GIF) in January 2010, top-level government, industry and business leaders will again converge in Bahrain on February 8 for the second Forum in the series.

The forum is being organised by Bahrain-based Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE) in association with international event consultancy North Star Associates at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre.

The event will be held alongside HCE’s flagship trade show, Gulf Industry Fair, which runs from February 8 to 10, 2012.

The Forum will feature influential personalities from government, industry and business laying out their visions for the long-term economic prosperity of Bahrain and the Gulf region, under the theme ‘The Future is Industry’.

The Forum format will also facilitate a frank and open exchange of information, views and opinions between speakers and all delegates, in an intellectual environment.

Topics to be discussed at the Forum include Powering Industrial Development; Developing SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises); Market Innovation; and Creating Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses.

Confirmed speakers for the high-profile event include Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Bahrain Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Shaikh Daij Al Khalifa, chairman of Bahrain Logistics Zone; Khalid Al Qadeeri, CEO of Foulath Steel and Mahmood Daylami, general secretary, Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC).

The 2012 edition of the forum is being held as GCC governments forge ahead with massive industrial projects and oil prices recover to more realistic levels.

The future of industry in the region is sustainable and exciting, particularly for the manufacturing and services sectors, which are expected to witness outstanding growth opportunities in the next few years, said a senior official.

Commenting on the event, HCE conference director Ahmed Suleiman said, 'The inaugural forum laid the foundations for HCE’s vision to develop Bahrain as the ‘Davos of the Gulf’ by bringing together leading regional and global experts to share their views on industrialisation in an intellectual environment.'

'GIF provides a platform for constructive dialogue and ideas among key decision makers and industrialists in an environment of debate, unfettered by distractions of self-promotion,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service