Business leaders from across the region will gather to discuss how to build a sustainable supply future in the Middle East at a conference for procurement and supply chain professionals in May.
'Building a Sustainable Supply Future' will take place at the InterContinental in Dubai's Festival City on 19 May. The event, presented for the third year running by the UK's Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS), will bring together more than 200 buying professionals from the region.
Delegates will find out about the risks facing their supply chains in a lecture delivered by CIPS Economist Dr John Glen; receive advice on finding their perfect job; and discover how they can boost the top-line growth of their businesses.
A host of experts will also take part in a discussion on why procurement should lead the sustainability agenda. Habiba Al Marashi, President of Arabia CSR Network and UN Global Compact Network GCC States, Jason Brown, Head of Group Procurement at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Dr Katerina Nicolopoulou, Senior Lecturer at the Strathclyde Business School in the UAE, will all speak on the subject.
Following the day's conference will be an awards ceremony to celebrate excellence in purchasing and supply in the region. It takes place in the same venue on the bank of the historic Dubai Creek. Team awards include one for brilliance in supplier relationship management, another for staff development and a third for the procurement department that has boosted the corporate reputation of their business. Individual prizes will be awarded to a professional and young professional of the year.
During the day, a case study will be presented by one of last year's award winners, Dubai Aluminium. The company's senior supply chain manager Abdulwahab Almadani will explain how the team reduced costs, revised contract pricing and negotiated with suppliers to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis.
Rebecca Fox, General Manager of the CIPS Middle East North Africa office, said: "Our conference and Awards program goes from strength to strength and this year is no exception. Managing risks in the supply chain is crucial to creating long term organsiational sustainability and success, this conference is a must attend for procurement and supply chain professionals and their business leaders. We look forward to welcoming delegates from all over the region"
CIPS fellow Wael Safwat, Director of Procurement and Contracts at the American University of Sharjah and Vice-Chairman of the Dubai and Northern Emirates, CIPS UAE Branch, said: "CIPS presence in the MENA region has significantly enriched and boosted the profile of the procurement profession. The Annual CIPS ME Conference is always a valuable experience. The organization and speakers are excellent but the unique benefit of CIPS Conferences stems from the interactive approach provided by the delegates themselves - who come primarily from the top-tier companies, entities and government organizations I call it the Procurement Knowledge Forum of the Year, which is not only about the profession but also people, practices, standards, challenges and opportunities. I am looking forward to attending the conference."
About CIPS
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) represents a 90,000-strong community of procurement and supply professionals around the world, with offices in the UK, Middle East, Africa, Australia and China. CIPS was set up in 1932 and received its Royal Charter in 1992.
The not-for-profit organisation exists to promote and develop high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in purchasing and supply chain management. It does this by offering a range of products and services to equip individuals and organisations with the knowledge, training, and practical skills you need to derive maximum benefit from your procurement practices. Members are also governed by a Code of Ethics.
Further information
For more information on the CIPS Middle East Awards 2013, go to: www.cipsmiddleeastawards.com
For further information, please contact:
Charlotte Bogaert, Events Manager at Redactive Media Group on +4420 7324 2764 or charlotte.bogaert@redactive.co.uk
Liz Lees, Head of PR & Representation, CIPS
+44 (0)1780 761574 or liz.lees@cips.org
© Press Release 2013
