Summit speaks business

The First Annual Global Employers’ Summit, aimed at deliberating on key areas of business such as labour movement, the role of the financial sector, unemployment, and running business in the GCC opened yesterday.

The summit was launched under the patronage of Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, amid the presence of dignitaries and entrepreneurs. Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Chairman Khalid Almoayed also attended the event.

Experts discussed issues relating to labour mobility across borders, business and human rights, promoting inclusion and diversity and the role of the financial sector at the summit. The two day summit has been organised by Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and The International Organisation of Employers (IOE).

In his opening speech, IOE President Daniel Funes de Rioja noted that the summit would revolve around six main topics including 'The Role of the Financial Sector'. Speaking about the topic he said, that the financial sector is critical to the functioning of the economy as a whole, there are also many who argue that the financial sector is still taking on excessive amounts of risk after the financial crisis. Moreover, many argue that the financial sector – at least as it has developed mainly over the last twenty years – is not geared to long­term thinking "Although it is clear and sustainability by exerting pressure on the real economy to orient itself on its ever more short­term parameters." He said that the other topics will be International labour mobility, Youth Unemployment, The Interconnections between Trade, Jobs and Growth, Promoting Inclusion and Diversity, Business and Human Rights.

Mr. Rioja's speech was followed by a keynote speech by Guy Ryder, Director General of the International Labor Organisation (ILO).

Later, a panel discussion was held on the topic, Othman Alrayes, First Vice­Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, moderated the discussion, while Dr. Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief Economist of Bahrain Economic Development Board, Rabah Al Rabah, Director General of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Abdulla Al Owais, Vice­Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and ‘doing business in the Gulf region.’ Industry and Dr. Saud Al Omari from the Council of Saudi Chambers, presented their views.

The second session titled, 'International Labor Migration Facilitating the Free Movement of Workers Globally, was moderated by Ronnie Goldberg, Chairperson of IOE Policy Working Group on Labour Migration. Beate Andrees, Chief, Fundamental Principals and Rights at Work Branch (ILO), Ellen G. Yost, partner, Fragomen Worldwide, Denis Pennel, Managing Director of International Confederation of Private Employment Services (CIETT), Dr. Richard Hooper, Global Health Advisor of International SOS and Carmela Godeau, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (IOM) participated in the session. 

The third session focussed on 'The Global Youth Unempoloyment Crisis. Shea Gopaul, Executive Director, Global Apprenticeships Network (GAN) moderated the session. Participants included, Stefan Kapferer, Deputy Secretary ­General of the OECD, Noura Alturki, HR and CSR Executive Manager, Nesma Holding Company Ltd., Antoine Foucher, Deputy Director­General of the MEDEF and Koray Genckul, Senior Director, Human Resources Operations Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide. Today, four panel discussions are expected to take place. ‘Bahrain Declaration' will also be launched today.