Manama: The region’s most influential gathering of procurement leaders, Procurement Middle East 2019, will tackle major issues such as digital transformation, outsourcing and other major industry themes when it opens in Bahrain on April 23.
The three-day event is supported by the Bahrain Tender Board and held under the patronage of Bassim Bin Yacub Al Hamer, Bahrain’s Minister of Housing and Chairman of the Tender Board, who will present the opening keynote speech.
Held at the Downtown Rotana in Manama, the conference will draw professionals and experts from across the region to discuss the latest industry trends. Through a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, roundtable debates and workshops, participants will address the importance of forging partnerships, driving change, and enhancing operational models and digital capabilities. The third annual conference’s theme will explore innovative approaches to the technical advancement and digital transformation of procurement. Over 20 high-profile speakers are slated to speak at the event, with participants looking forward to a workshop on VAT and its impact on the industry, and an exhibition showcasing procurement chain automation solutions.
“Given the right tools and technologies, procurement departments within organizations can be transformed from cost centers into partners in growth,” Dr. Mohamed Bahzad, Secretary General of the Bahrain Tender Board said.
“We encourage companies to leverage the power of state-of-the art procurement processes and artificial intelligence capabilities, to streamline their businesses, and maximize the value of data gathering for their organizations, partners and customers.”
“In line with our mandate to help realize the Economic Vision 2030 goal of creating a more competitive and sustainable economy, we are confident that the digital transformation of procurement will play a vital role in spurring business activity and strengthening the Bahraini economy as a whole. As a partner in this vision, the Tender Board is keen to make the most of the enormous wealth of information we have gathered, in improving the decision-making and productivity of government tender issuers, protecting public funds and the rights of suppliers, and supporting the wider economy.”
This year’s conference also marks the launch of the Procurement Middle East Industry Recognition Awards, which celebrate achievements in the procurement sector in the region. The categories are Procurement Risk Management, Procurement Team, Most Innovative Technology, Procurement Consultancy and ‘We’ve Got the Talent’, which recognizes organizations that actively nurture and retain procurement talent.
