World Free Zones Organization Gears Up to Open Second Annual International Conference & Exhibition

Dubai - MENA Herald: Dubai-based World Free Zones Organization (FZO) is gearing up to launch its 2nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The event will be officially inaugurated on May 10 with opening speeches by His Excellency Sultan Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy and Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, Chairperson, World FZO. Drawing the attendance of World FZO members, global economic experts, academics, government officials, and policy makers, the conference focuses on the increased role of the global value chain in international trade and the significant growth of free zones in recent years.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Dr Mohammed Alzarooni said: “Delegates from around the world are convening to discuss in-depth the theme, ‘Global Value Chains – Opportunities for the Free Zone of the future.’ Given the inherent diversity of value chain participants, the conference brings together a high-profile congregation of stakeholders to engage in a free and frank exchange of ideas about the opportunities and challenges for free zones in the future.”
The conference and exhibition runs until May 11 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. The 2016 edition includes the participation of international free zones, multi-lateral and commercial organizations and aims to facilitate an open dialogue, towards developing a vision for the free zone of the future.
Throughout the event, industry professionals will share the latest research, insights and analysis on the growing importance and impact of special economic zones across the globe. The event also serves as a platform to identify the most important benchmarks of success, growth and development in the sector.
The three-day conference and exhibition that kicked off today includes five panel discussions and six workshops. Discussions and learnings from the workshops focused on the evolution of free zones as well as current and future outlooks, the economic impact of free zones, attracting investments into free zones, the importance of sustainability and applying innovation to ensure organizations remain ahead of the curve, as well as the next practices for free zones of the future.
Over the next two days, panel sessions look to foster lively discussions and a free exchange of ideas on topics such as governance, policies and their implications in global value chains, the role of multinational corporations in the rise of global production networks, and the opportunities presented by global value chains for the free zone of the future.
The event will close on Wednesday, May 11 with a plenary session of the World FZO General Assembly.