Dear Sir or Madam,
Bahrain has witnessed spectacular economic growth over the last three decades. Today Bahrain is a modern industrial, business and service hub. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, working towards Bahrain’s Vision 2030 ambitions, is responsible for the supervision of business in Bahrain. In partnership with the private sector we offer value added services to our customers through a number of initiatives including enhanced information and business processes.
Family businesses have been the cornerstone of Bahrain’s commercial heritage, and today have a significant role in growing the economy. With Bahrain offering unique market access to the GCC’s trillion dollar market, family businesses have more opportunity for success than ever before.
Across the Middle East, and for our trading partners, the family business remains crucial to economic growth. At a time of global financial uncertainty the family business plays a vital role in providing stability that is vital as we move out of the global crisis and into 2010.
We welcome the Arab-German Family Business Summit to Bahrain. We look forward to a successful Summit; a forum for debate and an opportunity to bring together business to exchange ideas and discuss shared goals.
Dear Sir or Madam,
The Economic Development Board (EDB) welcomes the Arab-German Family Business Summit 2009 to Bahrain. At the heart of Middle East commerce for centuries, Bahrain is one of the most modern and liberal economies in the Gulf. Built upon a foundation of family-owned businesses, Bahrain has grown into a 21st century international business destination.
For Bahrain scale does not detract from values. Family businesses make a significant contribution, not only to economies, but to society. The family business is an incubator for many great international business leaders. Providing more than just training and employment, they encourage vision and an entrepreneurial spirit necessary to meet the challenges of a dynamic business environment. Family-owned businesses have a continued and vital role to play. A track record of stability puts them at the centre of any sustainable economic growth and a reversal to the current recession.
This year’s theme “Family Business & the Economic Crisis” gives delegates an opportunity to drive the debate on business practices and the place of family businesses in the new economic order as they look to the ‘other side’ of recession.
The impact of the family business cannot be underestimated. We wish you asuccessful summit and a pleasant stay in Business Friendly Bahrain.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Family businesses play a vital role in the economy of any country and now dominate economies worldwide. Global investors inevitably have to engage with family-owned businesses, especially in the GCC, where more than 90 percent of all commercial activity is controlled by family firms.
A successful business must be aware of the market opportunities, challenges and complexities that exist. This is just as true for a family company. A strong foundation and constitution is vitally important not only for the senior family members, often the owners, but also for the younger generations. Aspiring entrepreneurs would do well to emulate the strengths of a family company, many of which have needed to reinvent themselves over the generations.
I am delighted to welcome the International Institute for Family Enterprises to Bahrain. I would like to thank you for offering opportunities, new ideas and networks that will benefit all those concerned with family businesses whether directly or indirectly.
» Family Businesses & the Economic Crisis «, the theme of the Family Business Summit 2009, is sure to evoke considerable interest for the participants especially under the present global economic situation and I am confident that this summit will pave the way for closer cooperation between Arab and German family businesses and contribute towards a greater understanding of family enterprises.
I have much pleasure in welcoming the Arab-German Family Business Summit 2009 and wish the conference a great success.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Innovation drives business. This is true in prosperous times and it is particularly true in a time of economic hardship which we all currently face. There is no doubt: an extra effort is required to overcome this crisis.
How should this extra effort of business look like? What can we as business leaders and owners contribute?
I have already given the answer that comes first to my mind: innovation. More than ever before, we have to be open to new ideas that can be transformed into innovations appreciated by the market. At the same time we are called upon to reflect the fundamentals of our business and pursue it with due care. Additionally, we should think about our role in society. How can we contribute to a society that is worth living in for our children?
As long as I can remember, these questions have always been core questions for family businesses and their owners.
They certainly are now. And they cannot be answered without international exchange.
The Arab-German Family Business Summit 2009 offers an excellent platform for this dialogue.
I very much welcome this opportunity and wish all participants fruitful discussions in a spirit of cooperation and creativity.
Dear Sir or Madam,
The Arab-German Family Business Summit in Bahrain is the second get-together of this kind. The kick-off event last year in Cairo was an overwhelming experience and a great success! Therefore, we are really looking forward to supporting this unique initiative as a partner again this year.
Family businesses are of fundamental importance in the Arab and German-speaking world. They not only represent the majority of jobs and especially dynamic growth, but are in particular a stabilising factor for the economy due to their long-term orientation – even in times of recession. Yet the way they are perceived by society and academia is virtually inversely proportional to this.
Against this backdrop, the summit makes an important contribution for German and Arab family businesses, which are above all united by one key goal: namely to pass on a good business to the next generation.
On this note, I would like to send my best wishes to all the participants and hope that they are able to engage in interesting discussions and generate valuable impetus.
Dear Sir or Madam,
The first Arab-German Family Business Summit 2008 in Cairo was a great success. The International Institute for Family Enterprises has gathered many of the most influential family business owners from all over the Arab region and German-speaking Europe to create a platform for the personal exchange of knowledge and experiences. This summit was the starting point for the scientific and practical work of our institute. The ideas conceived in Cairo have been further developed throughout the year, and we are looking forward to continuing our discussions with you at the Arab-German Family Business Summit 2009 in Bahrain.
Especially during times of considerable economic challenges, family businesses continue comprise the backbone of our economies. Their distinctive values and long-term approaches make them a role model for sustainable success and social responsibility. However, structural changes of our global economy require creativity and unconventional responses, even from family businesses.
This year’s summit in Bahrain therefore focuses on finding innovative solutions and strategies that enable family businesses to create room for and cultivate new perspectives.
