Navigating the Future of Finance in a Dynamic Market
- 20th November 2024
- Jumeirah Messilah Beach Kuwait
Part of our 2 days CFO & HR
Event Series in Kuwait
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ABOUT THE EVENT
Kuwait’s economic landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, fueled by high oil prices and government spending. This positive outlook is tempered by rising global inflation and volatile markets. These factors create a complex environment demanding a strategic and forward-thinking approach from Kuwaiti businesses. The traditional, numbers-focused CFO role is no longer sufficient. Today’s CFOs must become strategic partners, collaborating with leadership to make critical decisions that ensure business resilience and drive sustainable growth.
MARKET DRIVERS
Navigating Inflation Challenges
Transformational Leadership
Cost Management and Investment
Technology and Digitalization
ESG Planning, Reporting, and Compliance
KEY TOPICS
Navigating Inflation Challenges in the Current Economic Environment
Digital Payment and Process Transformation to Reduce Workload on Finance Teams
The Power of Data - Unleashing Insights for Financial Transformation
Navigating the Kuwaiti Tax Landscape
Emergence of the Sustainability Driven CFO
The Future of AI in Finance
Risk Management and Cybersecurity
in Finance
WHO WILL ATTEND?
Government and Ministry
Telecommunication
Healthcare
Education
BFSI
Academia
Oil and Gas
Manufacturing
Energy & Utilities
Retail and Shopping
Attendee Profiles
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Procurement Officer
- Business CFOs
- Regional CFOs
- Head of Procurement
- Head of Supply Chain Finance
- ESG Director
- Head of Sustainability
- Head of Finance & Planning
- Treasury Directors
- Head of Investments
- Governance Risk and Compliance
- Risk Officer
- Head of Financial Audit
- Director Finance
- Director of Procurement
- Finance Controller
- Tax Director
- Head of Taxation
- Budgeting & Planning Manager
EVENT IN NUMBERS
ADVISORS
Aditya Dhanuka
Chairperson
ICAI Kuwait Chapter
Ajai Thomas
Chief Financial Officer
Kuwait International Bank
Srinivasan R
Chief Financial Officer
Intishar Holding Company
SPEAKERS
Conference Chairman
Tamil Selvan
Chief Financial Officer
RMB Group
Sabah Al-Jalawi
Chairman
Kuwait Accountants & Auditors Associations
Aditya Dhanuka
Chairperson
ICAI Kuwait Chapter
Shyam Kalyanaraman
Group Financial Controller
National Bank of Kuwait
Utpal Shah
Deputy Group Chief Finance Officer
Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait
Ajai Thomas
Chief Financial Officer
Kuwait International Bank
Sai Devata
General Manager Finance
stc Kuwait
Vineeth Menon
Group Chief Financial Officer
Al Watan Holding
Jacob Gomez
Chief Financial Officer
Alghanim Healthcare
Ammar Hanoun
Group Chief Financial Officer
Kana Group
Salim Desai
Chief Financial Officer
Al Razzi Holding Co.
Zahid Kasmani
Chief Financial Officer
Central Circle Company
Mohamed Talaat
Chief Financial Officer
Bader Sultan Group
Venkata Raman Badidaa
Chief Financial Officer
GIG Takaful
Rafik Hafez
Group Chief Financial Officer
Mohamed Naser Al-Hajery & Sons Co Ltd
Haytham Zreiqi
Chief Financial Officer
Gulf Insurance Group
Roland Abi Najem
Consulting Partner
Kuwait Zones
Kunal Dalmia
Director of Finance
Hayat Communications
Sahil Chopra
Director of Finance
Jumeirah Group
Muhammad Naved
Finance Advisor
Kuwait Gulf Oil Company
Chris Johnston
Head of Office of CFO Advisory
SAP EMEA
Shiraz Khan
Tax Lawyer
Al Tamimi & Company
Zee Panjwani
Business Solutions Manager
Zoho MENA
Omar Shariff
Senior Solutions Engineer
Kyriba
EVENT AGENDA
08:00 am
Registration
08:45 am
Welcome Remarks from Great Minds Group
08:50 am
Welcome Note by Conference Chairman
- Tamil Selvan, Chief Financial Officer, RMB Group
08:55 am
Opening Remarks
- Aditya Dhanuka, Chairperson, ICAI Kuwait Chapter
09:00 am
Chief Guest Address
- Sabah Al-Jalawi, Chairman, Kuwait Accountants & Auditors Associations
09:10 am
Opening Panel Session: Navigating Inflation Challenges in the Current Economic Environment
- Mapping out strategies for navigating a challenging economic climate marked by inflation, recessionary threats, and ongoing supply chain disruptions
- Deep diving into how CFOs can balance near-term stability with strategies to adapt to unforeseen circumstances
- Discussing effective spend management techniques to control inflation-driven increases in raw materials, labor, and other expenses
- Exploring how automated budgeting controls can optimize cash flow management for companies
Moderator:
- Roland Abi Najem, Consulting Partner, Kuwait Zones
Panelists:
- Ajai Thomas, Chief Financial Officer, Kuwait International Bank
- Rafik Hafez, Group Chief Financial Officer, Mohamed Naser Al-Hajery & Sons Co Ltd.
- Sai Devata, General Manager – Finance, stc Kuwait
- Chris Johnston, Head of Office of CFO Advisory, SAP EMEA
09:50 am
Presentation: The Evolving Role of a CFO as a Strategic Business Partner
- Tamil Selvan, Chief Financial Officer, RMB Group
10:05 am
Panel Session 2: Emergence of the Sustainability Driven CFO
- Unveiling the challenges facing companies in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) planning, reporting, and compliance
- Effectively define, operationalize, and integrate an ESG strategy within the finance function
- Exploring how the ESG regulatory environment is changing in the Middle East, and how companies can stay ahead of the curve
- Assessing how digital technology can be used to capture accurate data from across the business, ensuring diligent ESG reporting
Moderator:
- Muhammad Naved, Finance Advisor, Kuwait Gulf Oil Company
Panelists:
- Shyam Kalyanaraman, Group Financial Controller, National Bank of Kuwait
- Utpal Shah, Deputy Group Chief Finance Officer, Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait
- Salim Desai, Chief Financial Officer, Al Razzi Holding Co.
10:45 am
Presentation: Treasury’s Evolution
- Omar Shariff, Senior Solutions Engineer, Kyriba
11:00 am
VIP Exhibition Tour and Networking Coffee Break
11:45 am
Presentation: Cybersecurity and Risk Management
- Roland Abi Najem, Consulting Partner, Kuwait Zones
12:00 pm
Presentation: Understanding the Potential Impact of Corporate Tax and VAT in Kuwait
- Muhammad Naved, Finance Advisor, Kuwait Gulf Oil Company
12:15 pm
Panel Session 3: Exploring the Role of AI and Data Analytics in Transforming Finance
- Navigating what digital transformation means for the office of finance, and key considerations to embark on this transformative journey
- Driving successful finance transformation through effective data collection, ensuring data accuracy and integrity, and leveraging data-driven insights for optimal decision-making
- Utilizing emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be used to empower the office of finance
- Understanding how AI and ML to enhance the effectiveness of Extended Planning and Analysis (XP&A)
Moderator
- Kunal Dalmia, Director of Finance, Hayat Communications
Panelists:
- Zahid Kasmani, Chief Financial Officer, Central Circle Company
- Sahil Chopra, Director of Finance, Jumeirah Group
- Jacob Gomez, Chief Financial Officer, Alghanim Healthcare
12:55 pm
Presentation: Driving Financial Transformation with Saas - Future of Finance in Cloud
- Zee Panjwani, Business Solutions Manager, Zoho MENA
1:05 pm
Presentation: Taxation in the Middle East
- Shiraz Khan, Tax Lawyer, Al Tamimi & Company
1:20 pm
Closing Panel Session: Digital Payment and Process Transformation to Reduce Workload on Finance Teams
- Implementing automated payment processing systems to streamline financial workflows and reduce manual intervention
- Diving into the critical steps and obstacles involved in shifting from traditional payment methods to digital solutions
- Examining the role change management plays in facilitating the adoption of automated payment processing within finance teams
- Overcoming potential resistance to change within finance teams during digital transformation
Moderator:
- Vineeth Menon, Group Chief Financial Officer, Al Watan Holding
Panelists:
- Venkata Ramana Badida, Chief Financial Officer, GIG Takaful
- Mohamed Talaat, Chief Financial Officer, Bader Sultan Group
- Ammar Hanoun, Group Chief Financial Officer, Kana Group
2:00 pm
Chairman Closing Remarks
- Tamil Selvan, Chief Financial Officer, RMB Group
2:05 pm
Networking Lunch and End of Conference
WHAT TO EXPECT
1-Day cutting-edge conference program
1-Day exhibition of the latest technologies and solutions
Ample networking opportunities for informal exchange of developments, ideas and building relationships
SPEAKERS AND SPONSORS INTERVIEWS
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Knowledge Partner
Legal Partner
Official Logistics Partner
MEDIA PARTNERS
WHY GET INVOLVED?
RAISE YOUR BRAND AWARENESS:
Opportunity to position your brand as one of the leading companies in the sector to help stakeholders and leaders achieve their targets.
GET IN FRONT OF YOUR TARGET MARKET:
Get access to key digital transformation stakeholders involved with ongoing and upcoming projects in the region and get insight into their plans to invest in new technologies and spot opportunities.
INCREASES YOUR COMPETITIVENESS:
Learn about the challenges faced by CFOs and identify how you can provide them with customized solutions to help them overcome these challenges.
GENERATE STRONG LEADS:
Learn about the digitalization requirements of key leading enterprise, influence decision-makers, and stand a chance of being shortlisted for upcoming projects.
FLOORPLAN
REGISTER NOW
Online event registrations are now closed. You may purchase your ticket at the event registration counter on the 1st day of the event.
Please refer to the agenda for timings.
- Government Administration, Ministries, Policy Makers, CFOs, Financial Leaders and Professionals: (Conference): $25 + 5% Tax = $26.25
- Vendors and Solution Providers: $1299 + 5% Tax = $1363.95
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