Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qassabi, minister of commerce and investment, will deliver the opening keynote at the Retail Leaders Circle (RLC) MENA 2020 Summit, taking place for the first time in Riyadh on Feb. 10 and 11.
“We bring together the brightest and most powerful industry leaders with expertise and insights that will inspire, challenge and encourage our delegation to navigate the evolving future retail and consumer landscape,” said Panos Linardos, RLC chairman. “Such a distinguished roster of speakers reflects our aspiration to further cement Retail Leaders Circle’s status as the most significant regional industry meeting for partnership and growth development.”
Held under the patronage of Al-Qassabi and in partnership with Invest Saudi, local, regional and international leaders will convene in Riyadh to examine the strengths of the retail industry and economic growth opportunities within the sector across the region at the sixth edition of RLC MENA Summit.
Al-Qassabi will take the stage at 9 a.m. on the first day of RLC MENA to discuss the Kingdom’s plans to become a leading business, investment and retail destination, in line with Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy, prioritize ease of doing business and attract direct and value-added foreign investments.
Headline speakers at the summit include: Ahmed Al-Hakbani, governor of Saudi Customs Authority; Mohammed Alshaya, executive chairman of M.H. Alshaya Co.; Muhammad Alagil, chairman of Jarir Investment; Omar Almohammady, group CEO of Fawaz Al-Hokair Group; Patrick Chalhoub, CEO of Chalhoub Group; Dr. Bander Talaat Hamooh, CEO of Panda Retail Company; Nisreen Shocair, group CEO for the Middle East, Yoox Net-A-Porter; Ahmad AR BinDawood, CEO of Danube and BinDawood, Bindawood Holding; Faraz Khalid, CEO of Noon; Nilesh Ved, chairman and CEO of Apparel Group; Turki Al-Sadhan, CEO of SPAR Saudi; and Selim Chidiac, CEO of L’Ázurde.
“As we look to shape new frontiers, SAGIA is proud to announce our partnership with the Retail Leaders Circle, having successfully attracted the MENA edition to Riyadh for the first time,” said SAGIA Governor Ibrahim Al-Omar.
“Hosting one of the retail industry’s biggest global summits begins an exciting year of events in the Kingdom which culminates with the G20 summit in November. Furthermore, this event marks the beginning of many future endeavors led by the Invest Saudi national investment brand in line with Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, as we continue to promote the rich investment opportunities the Kingdom has to offer,” he added.
“Technology is transforming the retail sector across the world and Saudi Arabia is no exception to this trend. At the same time, the emergence of a young, affluent population at a time of rapid social change is creating exciting growth opportunities in the Kingdom. We look forward to partnering with the Retail Leaders Circle to address these challenges and identify new ways for retailers to access the opportunities in Saudi Arabia and across the wider region, while highlighting the greater role of the retail industry in our constantly growing economy,” Al-Omar said.
