FUTURE OF MENA SPEAKER: WHICH INDUSTRIES SHOULD YOU BE WATCHING?

Putting on our thinking caps as future of MENA speakers, it’s clear that a wave of change and disruption is coming to businesses that operate within the region. After all, a massive number of new trends and future developments promises to upend the traditional status quo. However, which industries should you be watching for signs of evolution in the weeks and months ahead? Being future of MENA speakers, we felt it would be helpful to weigh in. Some of the major industrial powerhouses and key sectors in the region to keep a watch on might include:

– Oil and Gas – The MENA region possesses almost half of the world’s proven oil reserves and a third of global natural gas reserves. Major oil producers include Saudi Arabia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar.

– Petrochemicals – With a plentiful supply of oil and gas, petrochemical and plastic manufacturing is a huge industry in the region. Major petrochemical hubs are in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE or so future of MENA speakers tell us.

– Mining – Local countries have vast mineral wealth including phosphates (Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan), iron ore (Algeria), gold (Saudi Arabia), copper (Oman, Saudi Arabia).

– Aluminum – Major aluminum smelters and production facilities are located in UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia which have invested heavily in this sector.

– Cement – Like future of MENA speakers note, massive infrastructure projects in MENA have fueled high demand for cement. Major cement exporters are UAE and Egypt.

– Tourism – Dubai has become a global tourist hotspot. Other popular destinations include Abu Dhabi, Doha, Mecca, and Marrakech which attract millions annually.

– Aviation – Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Saudia are MENA aviation giants connecting East and West. Airbus and Boeing have major operations in the region.

– Banking/Finance – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha, Manama are growing major finance hubs with investment funds, private banking, and financial centers.

In effect, the MENA region’s oil wealth and infrastructure ambitions have made energy, commodities, construction, transport, and banking its dominant sectors.