For the first time, the Canada Arab Business Council (CABC) hosted a 2-Day Business Forum that was held on an interactive virtual event platform on November 24th & 25th, 2020. The theme of the business conference was centered on “Canada and the Arab Countries: Economic Recovery, Resilience, and Business Opportunities”.
This unique event not only highlighted some of the Trade and Investment opportunities in Canada and the Arab world but examined the Impact of Covid-19 on Globalization, Reconstruction and Economic Development, and the Role of Digitization in Agriculture, Healthcare and Education, and Business Transformation.
The MENA region is Canada’s eighth-largest trading partner, with $15.17 billion in two-way trade last year. These connections offer significant opportunities for our businesses, workers, and people – from healthcare to education, agriculture to technology.
9:00 | Opening Plenary Session Scott Jolliffe, Chair, Canada Arab Business Council; Partner, Gowling WLG (Canada) |
9:05 | The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada |
9:10 | His Excellency Jamal Al-Sallal, Dean of the Council of Arab League Ambassadors, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen |
9:15 | Supporting Trade and Investment in the Arab World Moderator: Carmen Sylvain, Member, Canada Arab Business Council Speaker: Mairead Lavery, CEO & President, Export Development Canada |
9:45 | Profiling Canada to the World at Expo 2020 Introduction: Kerry Adler, President and Chief Executive Officer, SkyPower Global Moderator: Her Excellency Marcy Grossman, Canadian Ambassador to the UAE Speakers: - His Excellency Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani, UAE Ambassador to Canada - André Frenette, Director General and Interim Commissioner General for Canada |
10:15 | The Impact of COVID 19 on Globalization Introduction: Mark Ledwell, Gowling WLG Managing Partner, Toronto Speaker: Marc-André Blanchard, Executive Vice-President and Head of CDPQ Global (formerly Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations from 2016-20) |
10:45 | Reconstruction Efforts and Opportunities in Lebanon and Iraq Moderator: Robert Peck, Member, Canada Arab Business Council Speakers: - Lebanon: His Excellency Fadi Ziadeh, Lebanese Ambassador to Canada - Iraq: His Excellency Wadee Batti Hanna Albatti, Iraqi Ambassador to Canada |
11:30 | Opportunities for Trade Diversification within the Arab World Moderator: Pierre Pyun, Vice President Government Affairs, Bombardier Speakers: - The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade - Sara Wilshaw, Chief Trade Commissioner and Assistant Deputy Minister, International Business Development, Investment and Innovation, Trade Commissioner Service - Ambassador Dr Kamal Hassan Ali, Secretary General for Economic Affairs for the League of Arab States |
11:45 | Close of Day 1 and Outline of Tomorrow’s Program Scott Jolliffe, Chair, Canada Arab Business Council; Partner, Gowling WLG (Canada) |
9:00 | Welcome Remarks and Introductions Scott Jolliffe, Chair, Canada Arab Business Council; Partner, Gowling WLG (Canada) |
9:05 | Canada/Arab Relations - The Next Five Years Introduction: Karl Tabbakh, Regional Managing Partner for Quebec, McCarthy Tétrault LLP Speaker: The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada |
9:30 | Sustainable Agriculture & Agtech Presenter & Moderator: Nicole Rogers, CEO, Agriprocity Speakers: - Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist, Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) - Sébastien Leblond, Co-Founder and Global COO, RainMKRS Capital - Dave Smardon, President & CEO, Bioenterprise Corporation |
10:15 | Digital Economy & AI Presenter & Moderator: Armughan Ahmad, President & Managing Partner Digital, KPMG Canada Speakers: - His Excellency Ahmad Hanandeh, Jordanian Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship - Dr Golestan Radwan, Advisor for Artificial Intelligence to the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Government of Egypt - Mr Beligh Ben Soltane, Chairman of the Tunisia Investment Authority |
11:00 | Virtual HealthCare and Education Moderator: Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Director General, Investment, Innovation, and Education Speakers: - Dr Kevin Smith, President and CEO, University Health Network - John Bethel, National Healthcare Leader, EY Canada - Leslee Thompson, CEO, Accreditation Canada - Dr Andrew Padmos, President / CEO, Royal College International |
11:45 | Closing Remarks and Next Steps Scott Jolliffe, Chair, Canada Arab Business Council; Partner, Gowling WLG (Canada) |
For information on Speakers and Sponsors PLEASE CLICK HERE