Doha, Qatar – The Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference, held on Wednesday, at Barahat Msheireb in Msheireb Downtown Doha, brought together a stellar lineup of speakers from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and beyond.
The conference also saw participation from regional and international experts, including Julien Hawari, CEO of Million and Sirius Lab, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Fahad bin Faisal Al Thani, Group CEO of Doha Bank; Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties; and representatives from Meydan Free Zone, KAMCO INVEST, and DNV.
Among the highlights of the event was Hawari, who delivered a speech on fostering innovation and regional collaboration.
Hawari joined the elite group of industry leaders to discuss investment opportunities, sustainability, and the transformative role of technology in shaping the GCC’s economic future. His address emphasized the importance of leveraging regional cooperation and emerging technologies to drive sustainable growth.
The conference, co-hosted by Msheireb Properties and The Business Year, explored critical themes critical to the GCC’s position as a leading investment hub.
As part of the panel on The Role of Technology in Infrastructure and Private Investment’s Impact on Regional Connectivity in the GCC, Hawari brought a sharp focus to the evolving role of social media in the region. He explored how global giants like Meta, TikTok, and X dominate the social media landscape while questioning whether these incumbents could face challenges from emerging platforms or localized innovations tailored to the GCC’s unique cultural and economic dynamics.
He highlighted key social media trends in the region, such as the rise of content driven by younger, tech-savvy demographics, the integration of e-commerce into social platforms, and the increasing importance of Arabic-language content. Hawari’s insights emphasized the potential for private investment and innovation to redefine this space, driving both connectivity and opportunities for businesses across the GCC.
