Abu Dhabi: The inaugural Abu Dhabi Business Week (ADBW) concluded its first day with several key announcements and discussions taking place. The event attracted more than 10,000 policymakers, officials, and international business executives in its first day, which included the Abu Dhabi Business Summit, Marketing Lab, Innovation XChange, and the Business Exhibition Ecosystem. The Exhibition hosts local manufacturers, suppliers and leading international companies, and will resume its activities during the event’s second day.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was organised by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The first day of ADBW witnessed prominent business leaders delivering keynote presentations and panel discussions that provide new insights for firms across the Emirate.
The Abu Dhabi Business Summit featured Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of St
ate for Foreign Trade, who delivered a keynote address discussing the importance of economic partnerships for prosperity. Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, introduced attendees to the services provided by ADCCI. Dr. Sara Sabry, the first female Arab astronaut to go to space, delivered a presentation about ‘Achieving an Impossible Dream’.
A notable fireside chat titled ‘The Arts, Sciences and Sacrifices of Winning’ involved Formula 1 legend David Coulthard and Dutch football star Clarence Seedorf. Business leaders Magnus Olsson, co-founder and managing director of Careem, and Elie Habib, co-founder and CEO of Anghami, discussed building billion-dollar businesses during the ‘How to Take Your Company to the Moon’ panel discussion.
Retail icon Jo Malone, founder of Jo Malone and Jo Loves, talked about building business empires during a fireside chat moderated by journalist Louisa Preston. Mo Gawdat, author and former Chief Business Officer at Google X
, highlighted the importance of AI in reshaping the future during his keynote speech ‘Artificial Intelligence and How You Can Save Our World’.
Entrepreneurs received insights on starting their businesses from HSBC’s Manal Awad and Annex Investments’ Ahmed Al Nowais in a panel titled ‘The First 100 Days: Executing Your Business Plan to Win’. Randi Zuckerberg, former Facebook CMO and founder of Zuckerberg Media, delivered a speech on ‘How to Tell a Story and Attract Customers’, emphasizing storytelling’s role in business.
The Marketing Lab event addressed fundamental marketing topics, aiding businesses in growth. Other sessions covered brand-building, digital transformation, and redefining brand narratives. Innovation xChange served as a platform for sharing innovative ideas and learning from business figures.
Senior officials from Microsoft, Khalifa University, Vanar, and Analog discussed technology’s role in enhancing decision-making in a discussion titled ‘Edge Computing: Accelerating Real-Time Decision-M
aking’. ADBW continues to deliver insightful sessions, fostering sustainable development and partnerships with stakeholders.
On its second day, ADBW will host the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), covering topics such as industrial safety and cyber security. The Family Business Summit will feature speeches and panels on family-owned businesses in Abu Dhabi, led by Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri and other speakers from organisations like arbitrationAD, J.P. Morgan, and PwC.