About

Qatar has seen a massive digital uplift as it gears up for one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, the FIFA World Cup. This country wide transformation has not only placed Qatar in strong position to host this mega event but has also uplifted the economy with increasing interest from international markets.

To honor and recognize the transformation journey over the past few years, Forbes Middle East is hosting its inaugural ‘Digital Qatar Symposium & Awards 2021’ event. The event will include C-Level panel discussions and keynote speeches highlighting the efforts and steps that were taken to step up the digital transformation of the private and public sector alike. The forum will shine a light on how the government nurtured a sustainable and innovative ICT Eco System and how does it support the Qatar Vision 2030.


The Virtual Event will gather high profile dignitaries and executives to recognize and celebrate the most influential businesses and individuals shaping the future of Qatar.

Speakers

H.E. Reem Al Mansoori

Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development


Ministry of Communications and Technology

H.E. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Khalifa Al-Thani

Founder & Chairman


MBK Holdings

Khalid Al-Subeai

Chief Executive Officer


Dukhan Bank

Ashraf Abuissa

Chairman


Abuissa Holding

Hayfa Al-Abdulla

Innovation Director


Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)

Dr. Ahmed Al-Sulaiti

CEO


Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN)

Ibrahim Mohammed Hassan

Executive Director of Finance


Qatar Development Bank

Henk Jan Hoogendoorn

Chief Of Financial Sector Office


Qatar Financial Centre

Hasan Askari

Sr. Director, Financial Services Advisory Africa, India, Middle East


EY

Narayanan Srinivasan

Chief Operating Officer


Dukhan Bank

Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri

Co-Founder & CEO


Snoonu

Ahmed Isse

Co-Founder


Dibsy

Abeer Faleh Al-Hajiri

Chief Information Officer


Ashghal-Public Works Authority

Eman AlKuwari

Head of Emerging Technology


MCIT Qatar

Omar Shaath

TASMU Platform Manager


Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

Jad Elias

Partner


Kearney

Syed Shahid Ahmad

Head of Transaction Banking & Innovation


Dukhan Bank

Agenda

Digital Qatar Symposium & Awards 2021

2:30-3:00 pm

Registration and Networking

3:00-3:05 pm

Opening & Welcome Remarks By Forbes Middle East

3:05-3:20 pm

Keynote Address by Chief Guest

H.E. Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development, Ministry of Communications and Technology

3:20-3:35 pm

Keynote Address by Dukhan Bank

Khalid Al-Subeai, Chief Executive Officer, Dukhan Bank

3:35-4:20 pm

In this panel we will discuss the actions and steps Qatar has taken in order to accelerate its digital transformation under the Vision 2030.It will also talk about how they mapped out strategies for both private and the public sector in order to create a more innovative and sustainable landscape that is efficient, effective and accessible to all.

H.E. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Founder & Chairman, MBK Holdings
Dr. Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, CEO, Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN)
Abeer Faleh Al-Hajiri, Chief Information Officer, Ashghal-Public Works Authority
Eman AlKuwari, Head of Emerging Technology, MCIT Qatar
Syed Shahid Ahmad, Head of Transaction Banking & Innovation, Dukhan Bank
Moderator: Jad Elias , Partner, Kearney

4:20-5:05 pm

Panel Discussion: Digital Disruption of Finance – Big Tech, Banks and Fintech

Digital disruption in the financial sector is driven by factors both on the supply side, mostly technological developments, and on the demand side, accompanied by changes in consumer expectations of service. FinTech has disrupted financial services in an unprecedented way, using technology to offer a seamless experience to retail, SME, and corporate customers. FinTech holds considerable opportunities for economic diversification and it is representing one of the four pillars of Qatar’s National Vision 2030. In this panel we will host Industry experts and businesses with a view of discussing the growing symbiotic relationships between the market incumbents and the new entrants and how they can collaborate in fostering innovation and inclusivity within Qatar’s Financial sector.

Hasan Askari, Sr. Director, Financial Services Advisory Africa, India, Middle East, EY
Henk Jan Hoogendoorn, Chief Of Financial Sector Office, Qatar Financial Centre
Narayanan Srinivasan, Chief Operating Officer, Dukhan Bank
Ahmed Isse, Co-Founder, Dibsy

5:05-5:50 pm

Panel Discussion: Nurturing The Startup Ecosystem In Qatar

The startups ecosystem in Qatar has been growing and developing at a blistering pace, in this panel we will find out what efforts are being made in order to promote and nurture this sector and how are entrepreneurs being provided resources like funds, access and other opportunities so they are able to accomplish and achieve their goals?

Hayfa Al-Abdulla, Innovation Director, Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)
Ashraf Abuissa, Chairman, Abuissa Holding
Ibrahim Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director of Finance , Qatar Development Bank
Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri, Co-Founder & CEO , Snoonu
Moderator: Omar Shaath , TASMU Platform Manager, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

5:50-6:10 pm

Networking Break

6:10-7:30 pm

Award Ceremony & Gala Dinner

7:30-7:50 pm

Photo Session

7:50-8:00 pm

Closing Remarks

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