Welcome Address: Badr Al-Olama, Head of the Organising Committee, GMIS

DAY ONE: Welcome Address

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Badr Al Olama

Head of the Organising Committee, GMIS

The coronavirus has unfortunately hijacked our world. Practically no aspect of our lives has been left unscathed. The health and safety of every individual has become a primary concern. And in the process of protecting public health, immeasurable damage has been inflicted on our economies.

As challenging as this new reality may seem for most of us in the manufacturing sector, coupled with the geopolitical shifts and protectionist sentiments that have overwhelmed us in recent years, we must strike a sensible balance between having efficient and competitive supply chains whilst also securing necessary and flexible local capacity.

Overcoming these challenges requires a paradigm shift towards “collaborative management” between stakeholders. Private sector companies should take the lead and accelerate the next evolution of digital capabilities, while governments should focus on providing the right policies and frameworks to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Without a doubt, this industrial revolution will be key to resetting our future. We hold our destiny in our own hands. The decisions we take in the coming years will define our future and that of future generations. We owe it to them to plan for tomorrow rather than acting in the narrow self-interest of today. Let us work together and charter a new course towards a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous world for all.