Virtual conference: Reviving the region’s SME ecosystem

07 September 2020
The Gulf Capital SME Insights Summit will provide SMEs with the necessary intelligence to innovate during the current climate

The Gulf Capital SME Insights Summit will be held on 9 September, bringing to a close the successful webinar series that has given small and medium enterprises (SMEs) access to resources and experts on critical topics amid the Covid-19 crisis.

The virtual conference (10.00-15.00 UAE time) will bring together industry experts to provide valuable insights on the way forward for SMEs during their road to recovery.

Thought leaders including Gulf Capital, Beehive, Clyde & Co., DTEC, The Benton Group, The Tecom Group, TiE Dubai, Sheraa and more will explore issues such as liquidity and debt management, corporate governance and negotiations, as well as investment readiness to attract investors and expand. 

The current pandemic has severely impacted the regional economies, with SMEs in the region feeling the brunt of the economic slowdown
Karim el-Solh, CEO of Gulf Capital

According to a recent survey of more than 30,000 small business leaders from more than 50 countries, a total of 26 per cent of SMEs worldwide suspended their activities between January and May due to the pandemic, with some countries reaching as high as 50 per cent.

Out of surveyed SMEs in the Middle East and North Africa region, 51 per cent in Egypt, 50 per cent in the UAE and 35 per cent in Saudi Arabia reduced their employee numbers due to the pandemic.

However, the survey also noted post-pandemic business optimism (61 per cent in the UAE, 59 per cent in Saudi Arabia and 52 per cent in Egypt).

During the 9 September virtual summit, SMEs will gain access to key learnings and best practices as well as speed networking opportunities, live video/voice calls with fellow attendees and one-on-one sessions with industry experts. 

"The upcoming Gulf Capital SME Insights Summit will summarise a lot of the learnings and recommendations and provide valuable insights on the way forward for SMEs during their road to recovery,” explains Gulf Capital CEO Karim el-Solh.

The virtual conference is free to watch, but pre-registration is required – please click here to register.

Gulf Capital SME Awards
On 9 December 2020, an awards reception will be hosted to celebrate the SMEs that have demonstrated outstanding resilience, agility and innovation to sustain and grow their business. Free entry submission for multiple categories is open until 18 September 2020. For more information criteria and category details, please click here

 

 

 

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