Israel's Start-Up Nation Central – a nonprofit that connects governments, corporations and investors to the Israeli innovation ecosystem – together with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in the Kingdom of Bahrain (MOIC), Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB), the Embassy of Bahrain in Israel, and the Embassy of Israel in the Kingdom of Bahrain has announced that it will hold the first conference for business leaders of both countries.
The “Connect2Innovate" conference in Manama, Bahrain is a first-of-its-kind event taking place between March 13-15. The event will bring together government officials, major companies, international organizations, business communities, and tech innovators, to focus on challenges across fintech, logistics and supply changes, water, energy and climate.
The event will also include a unique policy track, including workshops on tech ecosystem building and human capital development, challenges that both countries face and can share knowledge and best practices.
Start-Up Nation Central is bringing a delegation of more than 50 Israelis including senior government officials, business executives, entrepreneurs, and investors, to Bahrain.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro affirmed that the conference will bring together visionary speakers from business sectors in Bahrain and Israel, to explore the opportunities and challenges in the fields of innovation and technology.
He said: “this event is a unique opportunity for both Bahrain and Israel to come together and share their experiences, best practices, and work towards developing innovative solutions that will drive progress and growth in the industry."
The Minister added, “The potential for collaboration between our nations is vast, and this conference will serve as a platform to harness this human capital and develop new technologies, business models and economic opportunities."
Ambassador Eitan Na'eh, Ambassador of Israel to the Kingdom of Bahrain said, “The Connect2Innovate conference is taking place in Manama as both Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain are moving forward to realize the vision of the Abraham Accords and the opportunities it offers us all as it strives to reach its fullest potential. Taking the Accords from a vision to reality, relations between our two countries are moving forward as we harness both countries' added values- our human capital, mutual quest for peace, security and prosperity through innovation, economic cooperation, and progress.
The conference will allow our business communities to explore ways to cooperate moving forward and together, by creating a model whereby close friendly relations plus cooperation in innovation equals opportunities for growth and prosperity. We invite others to join us on this journey. Let us innovate! I wish us all success in this endeavor."
Start-Up Nation Central CEO Avi Hasson said, “Over the past two decades, Bahrain has emerged as an important player on the international stage, with a growing economy that offers exciting investment opportunities."
Hasson added that “Innovation and technology are essential elements in this partnership and can help translate the agreements into practical bilateral trade that can revolutionize the entire region as it tried to align to new development goals."
During the conference's opening ceremony, a live signing of a series of MOUs between Israeli and Bahraini entities will take place to pave the way for a surge of B2B and G2G activities - particularly in the fields of fintech, manufacturing, logistics, water, energy and climate.
The second and third days of the conference include professional workshops, lectures, business panels, pitch sessions and roundtable discussions around separate business and policy tracks.
