Speaker at upcoming 2nd Abu Dhabi Innovation Forum urges Governments to do more in promoting innovation
Innovation is a key component in the economic development of the Arab region and will spur the creation of over 50 million new jobs required for the next 20 years across the Arab region.
According to Dr. Wissam Rabadi, Director of iPark Technology Incubator in Jordan and one of the speakers at the Second Abu Dhabi Innovation Forum, real job creation comes from SMEs particularly those that are innovative and dynamic in nature. The forum, presented by Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, is scheduled to be held on 24th - 25th January 2011, at Fairmont Bab Al Bahar.
"Over the past seven years, iPark has incubated 38 start-ups in the ICT sector, and these companies have already employed around 1400 people. In our experience, SMEs serve as a catalyst to job creation, and to sustain this trend, we need to highlight innovation and entrepreneurship in the region," Dr. Rabadi said.
"As economies around the world grow increasingly competitive; innovation is crucial to a company's survival. If you do not adequately differentiate your business from the competition, you run the risk of being left behind," he added.
Although innovation has been brought to the forefront recently, organisations and Governments around the region are still not doing enough to incorporate innovation in their policies and decision making process.
"In order for the GCC and wider Middle East region to flourish and diversify their economies, there needs to be a conscious political decision that positions innovation in the core of any government economic development policy. Innovation needs to be a very important component in every action of government, schools, public and private entities," Dr. Rabadi concluded.
During his speech at the Second Abu Dhabi Innovation Forum, Rabadi will present iPark Technology Incubator, El Hassan Science City as a case study on how technology incubators can serve as a catalyst for developing an innovation ecosystem in the Middle East. iPark receives innovative ideas from aspiring entrepreneurs and provides logistical support, infrastructure and operational technical support as well as strategic counsels and business advice and networking to start-up companies.
The Second Abu Dhabi Innovation Forum, organised by Aim Events, the events management group of ADU, is part of the Innovation Week taking place from 24th to 26th January 2011 and includes the Abu Dhabi Innovators Fair and the Abu Dhabi Innovation Awards. For more information, please visit www.innovation-abudhabi.com.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2011
