Dear Colleague

You are only too well aware ICT is a key enabler to the dynamic growth and progress of any nation but are all countries within the GCC exploiting ICT to the full?

I am writing to draw your attention to “ICT Leaders” which I participated in last year. I found the format and quality of participation, both in terms of speakers and delegates, resulted in a high level of debate on the most pertinent issues facing our industry today. I am pleased to say that this year IIR are holding the event in Bahrain on the 16-17 March 2010.

As you may well know Bahrain has recently topped the UN’s ICT Readiness Table. This achievement has been through the collective efforts of many throughout the Public and Private Sectors who have been guided by the 2030 Economic Vision and Strategy for Bahrain which was developed by the Bahrain
Economic Development Board (EDB).

I am delighted to see that Sheikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al- Khalifa, Chief Executive of the EDB will open the event setting out how ICT has been and is at the core of achieving the Kingdom’s wider 2030 vision.

Throughout the two days a series of talks will set the scene for lively debates. These will cover the pros and cons of achieving a fully competitive market, the financial, structural and regulator implications of achieving ubiquitous broadband services, the changing relationship with the End-User, the leapfrogging of Internet Content Service Providers over Network Providers and how close are we to nurturing Strategic Partnerships between the two, Privacy & Content Control, Internet Security and un-tapping the potential in Africa and Asia.

The conference will also examine: is the Kingdom of Bahrain perhaps a good case history covering the key challenges facing the industry? Has it provided a model that works? Is it really the example that all should follow? Where are opportunities within ICT in the Kingdom and beyond?

As you will see from the programme this event has attracted some of the world’s leading minds and top executives – collectively addressing the most critical issues facing the industry today. I hope you can find time in your schedule to be part of the most senior level event in the region.

I look forward to meeting in the near future, if not in March in Bahrain at the ICT Leaders event.

Regards,



Alan Horne
Former President
Arab Regulators Network (ARGNET)                            



"As mobile penetration is gauged to be in excess of 150% already we are facing some interesting times ahead"

 Source: Gert Rieder, CEO, Batelco (Bahrain),
On the introduction of a third mobile operator in Bahrain
Teletimes Interanational 14/03/2010


 

 
Who Will You Meet?

CEOs, Managing Directors, CTOs, CIOs, Heads of Strategy, Regional Directors, Country Managers. Heads of Business Development, Executive Senior VPs