AmCham MENA Council



Conference Agenda:

Day 1

Monday 14th March 2022

1:00-2:00 PM

Registration & Lunch 

2:00-3:30 PM

OPENING SESSION

Welcoming Remarks

  • Eng. Mohammed S. Bataineh, Chairman, AmCham Jordan; and Chairman, AmCham MENA Regional Council
  • Mr. Khush Choksy,Senior Vice President of International Development and Senior Vice President of Middle East and Turkey, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
  • Mr. Tarek Tawfik, President, AmCham Egypt; The AmCham MENA Council Regional Secretariat

 

Opening Statements:

  • The Honorable Henry Wooster, U.S. Ambassador to Jordan
  • Jordan Government Senior Representation

Key Note Addresses:

  • The Honorable Diane Farrell, Deputy Undersecretary for International Trade
  • H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Executive Director for Arab States, International Monetary Fund (IMF)

 

3:30-4:30 PM

Session I:
Leveraging MENA-U.S. Trade Relations to Bolster Economic Growth

  • How has the U.S. preferential arrangements and Free Trade Agreements with MENA Countries impacted economic growth?
  • How can existing trading frameworks be expanded, and within what promising sectors to diversify goods trade and expand services trade?
  • What are the next steps for strengthening MENA-U.S. partnerships?
  • Does the MENA region have the potential to be the new sourcing hub for the U.S., and what must be done to capture such opportunities?

 

Speakers:

  • Dr. Abdel Hamid Mamdouh, King and Splading Senior Counsellor, and WTO Former Director of the Trade in Services and Investment Division.
  • Mr. Ali Moosa, Vice President, AmCham Bahrain; and Vice Chairman, CEEMEA J.P. Morgan Chase Bank (Bahrain)
  • Ms. Mirette Mabrouk, Senior Fellow and Founding Director of the Egypt Program, The Middle East Institute (Washington DC)
  • Ms. Rym Bedoui Ayari, Vice President, AmCham Tunis; and Founder BCo Consulting (Tunis)

Chair:

  • H.E. Dr. Mohammad Halaiqa, Former Deputy Minister, Former Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply (Jordan)

4:30-5:00 PM

Break

5:00-6:00 PM

Session II:
Investing in Healthcare for the Future

  • What has the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted about the healthcare sector’s strength and its ability to adapt and innovate?
  • What were the responses of the MENA’s pharmaceutical sector companies and how can we further bolster investment and scientific advancements?
  • What are the existing regional and international collaborations in healthcare?
  • What are the opportunities for knowledge and technology transfer from the U.S. and how can we advance partnerships with International Healthcare providers?
  • What are the lessons learned about the insurance sectors responses and how can the social support networks be strengthened through business solutions?

Speakers:

  • Dr. Riad Armanious, AmCham Egypt Member of the Board; and Chief Executive Officer, EVA Pharma (Egypt)
  • Ms. Carole Hassoun, General Manager -Levant-Roche (Lebanon)
  • Mr. Salah Mawajdeh, Vice President of Regulatory and Medical Affairs, Hikma Pharmaceuticals (Jordan)
  • Mazen LAWG

Chair:

  • Ms. Rasha Shammout, Manager, Pfizer (Jordan) (Confirmed)

6:00-7:00 PM

Session III:
Accelerating Economic Growth through Digitalization & Innovation

  • How has the changing digital landscape and transformation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic affected the economic prospects for MENA region?
  • What are the potentials for increasing export-oriented IT services?
  • What is the MENA Region’s ability to attract FDI in the Digital Economy and create the right business partnership with the U.S.?
  • What should be the role of the private sector and other actors in promoting innovations and technology advancements?

Speakers:

  • Mr. Khaled Abdel Kader, Co-Chair AmCham Digital Transformation Committee, and CEO, Klayytech (Egypt)
  • Ms. Hala Siraj, Managing Director, TALABAT (Jordan)
  • Mr. Hani Raad, Managing Director - Middle East & Africa Small Medium Enterprises and Emerging Africa, Cisco (Lebanon)
  • Mr. Aiman Mazahreh, Co-Founder, CEO, Specialized Technical Services (STS) (Jordan)

Chair:

  • H.E. Mothanna Gharaibeh, CEO of Fifth Advisory Service, Former Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (Jordan)

Day 2

Tuesday 15th March 2022

1:00-2:00 PM

Registration & Lunch 

2:00-3:00 PM

Session IV:
Towards an Interconnected Region: Transportation and Logistics Solutions

  • What was the effect of the pandemic on global value chains and logistics disruption?
  • How can transportation be enhanced as the lifeline of Regional Economic Growth through stronger networks to support export led-growth and job creation?
  • What are the opportunities for increasing the role of the regional private sector in transport infrastructure and in better logistical services?

Speakers:

  • Ms. Abir Leheta, Co-Chair, AmCham Transport and Logistics Committee; and Chairman and CEO, Egyptian Transport & Commercial Services Co., SAE (Egytrans) (Egypt)
  • Mr. Mohsen Ahmed, CEO, Logistics District at Dubai South (Dubai)
  • Mr. Mamoun Toukan, Co-Founder, Arqflow, Inc (Jordan)
  • Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) (Invited)

Chair: Ms. Nourah Mehyar, Nafith Logistics (Jordan)

3:00-4:00 PM

Session V:
Preserving the Environment: Climate Change, Water Management and Clean Energy Solutions

  • How is climate change effecting the regions development?
  • What type of public-private partnerships can be deployed to adapt and mitigate climate change? A look at regional success stories.
  • What types of programs should be put in place to ensure knowledge sharing and technology transfer from the U.S.?
  • How can the private sector reduce emissions and increase green investments?

Speakers:

  • Ms. Sarah El Battouty, AmCham Egypt Member of the Board; and Chairman and Principal Architect, ECOnsult (Egypt)
  • Dr. Maher Matalka, Board Member, EDAMA (Jordan) (Invited)
  • Ms. Rina Latash, Marketing & Project Lead, Admiral Energy MEA DMCC (Dubai)

Chair:

  • Mr. Samer Judeh, Chairman, Jordan Wind Project Company (JWPC) (Jordan)

4:00-4:30 PM

Coffee Break

4:30-5:30 PM

Session VI:
The New Workplace and Closing the Gender Gap

  • What are the new workplace realities post COVID-19 and how have digital platforms revolutionized working conditions?
  • How can businesses reflect these new realities in its day-to-day work to reduce costs and increase productivity and employment?
  • How are governments introducing policies that reduce the gender gap and promote youth employment?

Speakers: 

  • Ms. Kholoud Saqqaf, Chief Executive Officer, Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF) (Jordan)
  • Mr. Rasem Kamal, Managing Partner, Kamal & Associates, Attorneys and Counselors at Law (Palestine)
  • Dr. Eymen Errais, AmCham Tunis Member of the Board; and CEO and Co- founder of Mena Capital Partners (MCP) (Tunis)
  • Ms. Jenny Atout Ahlzen, Managing Partner, Aman Ventures (Jordan)

Chair:

  • Ms. Ghadeer Khuffash, CEO, Education For Employment -Jordan (EFE-Jordan)

5:30-6:30 PM

Session VII:
Financing Regional Growth

  • How can U.S., international and local financing institution better enable private investments to help MENA accelerate sustainable development?
  • What are the available financing programs to support the economic and social transformation of the MENA region, and what are the existing gaps?
  • How can Sovereign Wealth Funds contribute to financing sustainable Development?

Speakers:

  • Mr. Andy Abell, Regional Lead for the Middle East and North Africa; and Manager, Joint Investment for Peace Initiative, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) (Invited)
  • Dr. Heike Harmgart, Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED), EBRD
  • Mr. Rafik Mzah, AmCham Tunis Member of the Board; and Chief Legal Officer, AfricInvest (Tunis)
  • Mr. Khalid Kabeer, CEO, Vitas Group (Jordan)

Chair:

  • Mr. Tarek Tawfik, President, AmCham Egypt, and Chairman, Cairo Poultry Group (Egypt)

6:30-7:00 PM

Closing Remarks