Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour, CEO, Sonatrach, speaks on how the global lower oil price environment has spurred the diversification of Algeria’s energy sector. Gas production in particular has accelerated, and the country has built the necessary infrastructure to export gas to new markets. In addition, the petrochemicals downstream industries have been targeted for development, and there are plans in place to utilise solar energy at oil and gas fields. 

In an interview with Global Platform, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary-General of Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, speaks on how the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, and its partners work to protect the environment and to ensure sustainable development in the emirate. The issue of water conservation is one of the priority areas for Abu Dhabi – and indeed the entire region, and as a coastal country, marine water quality is vital both from a food security perspective and also from a tourism viewpoint. As the emirate welcomes more industry, the agency is cooperating with key stakeholders to ensure that the environmental regulations are up to par with the type of development that is taking place. 

In an interview with Global Platform, Roberto Novoa, regional president of the Mexican Confederation of Industrial Chambers, and Abraham Rocha Moreno, president of the International Balloon Festival, speak on the factors contributing to growth and globalisation in their local economy. Entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take advantage of the city’s central location, logistics infrastructure and industrial clusters. In addition, natural and historical attractions have created a multitude of opportunities for the development of tourism-related industries.

In an interview with Global Platform, Prince Turki Bin Saud Mohammed Al Saud, President of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, speaks on the development of science, technology and innovation in the kingdom. Established in 1975 in collaboration with the US, KACST has played a large part in fostering patented technologies and cutting-edge science in the region.

Wan Latiff Wan Musa, Senior Director of MATRADE discusses the country’s growing appeal as a trading partner and base for foreign firms to access the vast market of ASEAN. Benefits include its hard and soft infrastructure, its connectivity, and the increasing sophistication of its economy and experience of its domestic companies. 

Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, describes the ongoing expansion of the emirate’s transport and logistics infrastructure, which aims to transform the way of doing business by integrating processes

Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), speaks on how concrete strategies and new standards have helped the ADX diversity its offerings. 

Andrew Jeffreys, the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Oxford Business Group, has identified three main drivers of growth in emerging markets: trade, diversification and human capital.