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GCC-France Business Forum | Moving Forward Together, Shaping the Future

Dubai Knowledge Park Conference Centre/Auditorium, Block # 2B King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St - Al Sufouh - Al SufouhDubai Knowledge Park, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Price: CCI France UAE, and Partners'*
Members: AED 950 (VAT. incl.)
Non-Members: AED 1,600 (VAT. incl.)

*Partners: CCI France Qatar, CCI France Bahrein, French Business Council Kuwait, Centre d’Affaires franco-saoudien, Oman-France Amitié

Available on https://www.ccifranceuae.com/en/faq.html

Registration closed.

Event ended.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2nd edition of the GCC-France Business Forum.

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Strengthen the links between our French and Francophile business communities in the region.

At the initiative of the CCI France International network and its partners in the Gulf region, in collaboration with our partners, we launch the second edition of our forum dedicated to the French, French-speaking and Francophile business communities established in our region.

The event will bring together institutional representatives and leading executives from the region's strategic sectors. Its objective is to provide a clear understanding of the region’s markets by identifying their distinctive characteristics, potential opportunities, and prevailing challenges.

Be part and sponsor the event? Discover our various opportunities - check out our brochure, and/or contact our team.

Objectives

  • Deepen knowledge of regional markets and foster synergies among business communities across the region.
  • Provide a platform for dialogue and networking, showcasing the expertise of participating organizations and their members.
  • Address topics of common interest through a sector-based approach.
  • Explore new markets close to the GCC with our “guest countries”

Themes

  • CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE​: Building Through Uncertainty: The Future of Construction & Infrastructure in the GCC
  • CULTURE: Culture as Our Compass: Rising Stronger Together
  • EDUCATION, TALENTS & ACQUISITION​: Talent in a Changing Region: Attracting, Retaining & Developing the Workforce of Tomorrow
  • ENERGY: Energy at a Turning Point: Navigating Disruption, Security & New Opportunities in the GCC
  • ​F&B AND FOOD SECURITY​: Feeding the Future: Building a More Resilient Food System in the GCC
  • HOSPITALITY, LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT​: Beyond the Shock: Reimagining Hospitality & Leisure in the GCC
  • WHAT’S NEXT IN TECH ​IN THE GCC Powered by La French Tech ​

Program

  • A plenary session focused on the region's macroeconomic outlook
  • Panel discussions covering key sectors across Gulf markets
  • Dedicated conferences about the GCC countries, and Iraq

Speaker(s)

Schedule

Thursday 5 November 2026
08:15 - 08:45 Welcome coffee & Registration​
09:00 - 09:15 Opening Ceremony
- [In video] Frederic SANCHEZ - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Fives | Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orange | President of MEDEF International | President of CCI France International| FIVES

- Thierry DEZENCLOS - Senior Vice President Near & Middle East, Head of Municipal Business Development - Veolia | President - CCI France UAE

Master of Ceremony - Sarah SADDOUK - Director of Innovation, Entrepreneur Middle East | Lead, Entrepreneur IMPACT - BNC Media Group
09:15 - 09:35 GCC Macroeconomic Overview

Simon BALLARD - Managing Director & Chief Economist / Head of GM Client Outreach & Market Insights - First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
09:35 - 09:50 Navigating Uncertainty: Building Business Resilience in the Gulf (Fireside Chat)

Sebastien BEDU - General Manager, Middle East, India & Africa - INTERNATIONAL SOS

Moderator: Sarah SADDOUK - Director of Innovation, Entrepreneur Middle East | Lead, Entrepreneur IMPACT - BNC Media Group
09:50 - 10:30 Business Leaders Panel - Redrawing Trade Routes: Building Resilient and Future-Ready Logistics Corridors in the GCC

- Jesper STENBAK - Senior Vice President - Abu Dhabi Regional Office CMA CGM

- Anurag SOOD - Managing Director and Head of Shipping , Logistics, Warehousing & Storage - First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 - 11:50 Panel Discussion | WHAT'S NEXT IN TECH IN THE GCC Powered by La French Tech UAE

- Osama Ghoul - Executive Vice President of Devoteam Group and Managing Partner of Devoteam Middle East - DEVOTEAM

- Herve Marchet de Meurival - Head of Education Strategy, EMEA Amazon Web Services

- Simon Reiniche - Founder & CEO - Innixus Group

Moderator: Paul DARMAS - Founder & CEO - Digitality Agency
11:00 - 11:50 Panel Discussion | HOSPITALITY, LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT: Beyond the Shock: Reimagining Hospitality & Leisure in the GCC

- Aurélie Ben Ghalia - VP Operations S&E International - Potel & Chabot

- Jean-Guillaume Lacoste - CEO GL events Middle East Africa - GL events

- Raki Phillips - Regional President for the Premium, Midscale and Economy division across the Middle East, Africa & Türkiye - Accor

- Omar Souab - Head of Operations of EHG - EHG

Moderator: Walid DAOUD - Partner at KPMG Middle East - KPMG Lower Gulf Limited
11:00 - 11:50 Panel Discussion | CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE: Building Through Uncertainty: The Future of Construction & Infrastructure in the GCC

- Yasser Ahmed - VP Services Business, Gulf Countries - Schneider Electric

- Joseph Gebara - Managing Director - Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading Co

- Joe Labaky - Chief Operating Officer Group - Group AMANA

- Hervé MONTJOTIN - CEO of the SOCOTEC Group - SOCOTEC Group

Moderator: Vibha MEHTA - Editor-in-Chief, Construction Business News ME & Logistics News ME - BNC Publishing
12:00 - 12:45 Country Conference - Iraq

- Jean-Baptiste CHAUVEL - Head of the Regional Economic Department – Near & Middle East - French Treasury

- Adam Al FAKHAR - Co-Chairman - French Iraqi Business Council 

- Ahmed SALMAN - Founder & Senior Partner,  BHC Law Firm & Legal Advisor, IFBC – Iraq

- Rasha Nadeem - General Counsel & Partner, BHC Law Firm & Board Member, IFBC – Iraq

- Bassam Al Ateia - Chairman, Al Mamoura for real estate development & Board Member, IFBC – Iraq

- Dr. Ihsan Al Naqeeb - Owner & President – Al Bejaa Scientific Office & Member, IFBC – Iraq

Moderator: Maythem Al Asadi - President & Founder - Kufan Group & Board Member, IFBC – Iraq
12:45 - 13:45 Networking Lunch
14:00 - 14:50 Panel Discussion | ENERGY: Energy at a Turning Point: Navigating Disruption, Security & New Opportunities in the GCC

- Philippe BOURDEAUX - Executive Senior Vice President Veolia Africa, Near & Middle East zone - VEOLIA

- Amel Chadli - President of Gulf Cluster - Schneider Electric

- Aurelien DELAHAYE Director, Strategy & Resources – Middle East, EDF Group Board Member, Emerge (Masdar & EDF Group JV) - EDF

- Pierre DUMOND - Middle East Representative Office CEO - FIVES

Moderator: Tamara Pupic - Editor in Chief - Entrepreneur Middle East magazine, a division of Dubai-based BNC Media Group
14:00 - 14:50 Panel Discussion | F&B AND FOOD SECURITY: Feeding the Future: Building a More Resilient Food System in the GCC

- Khalid Ali Al Ameen - Chief Executive Officer of Retail Operations at Ali Rashid Al Ameen Company and chairman of food sector committee in Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry - BAHRAIN CHAMBER

- Zeineb Bouallegui - Senior Executive Regulatory Compliance & Government Affairs - Sustainable Agriculture - SGS

- Per Ankersen - Head of Procurement and Strategic Growth Projects - CHEF.

- Dr. Haythem RIAHI - Founder and CEO - CIRCA BIOTECH

Moderator: Jean-Marc Gilg - Managing Director - Advantage Group MENA, ADVSELL FZCO.
14:00 - 14:50 Panel Discussion | EDUCATION, TALENTS & ACQUISITION: Talent in a Changing Region: Attracting, Retaining & Developing the Workforce of Tomorrow

- Basim ALSAIE - Entrepreneur

- Liliane Hassoun - Near & Middle East Head of Talent Acquisition - Veolia

- Zaur Shiraliyev - VP – Learning & Development - Chalhoub Group

Moderator: Frederique BONNET - Founder & HR Consultant - People Puzzle
14:00 - 14:50 Panel Discussion | CULTURE: Culture as Our Compass: Rising Stronger Together

- Mohammed KAZIM - Director of Program and Events Department - Dubai Culture and Arts Authority

- Sébastien LAFRAGETTE - Director - Centre Franco Omanais

Moderator: Myriam Djelouat-Benaroya - Founder & Chief Brand Officer - MEEMS MARKETING SERVICES
14:50 - 15:00 Coffee Break
15:00 - 15:45 Country Panel Discussions - UAE

- Thierry Dezenclos - Senior Vice Président Veolia Near & Middle East, Head of Municipal Business Development - VEOLIA & CCI FRANCE UAE

- Fanny LABARTHE - Head of the Regional Economic Department for the Arabian peninsula - French Embassy in the UAE

- Franck Ladegaillerie - CEO - MPH Global Services - President French Foreign Trade Advisors

- Mariam Saif AlNuaimi - Executive Vice President, Distribution & Servicing - Emirates Development Bank (EDB)

Moderator: Olivier Morin - Business Advisory & Institutional Affairs Director - CCI FRANCE UAE
15:00 - 15:45 Country Panel Discussions - Bahrain

- Jean-Christophe Durand - President French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain (FCCIB)

- Jacques Michel - President - French Foreign Trade Advisors

- Basim ALSAIE - Entrepreneur
15:00 - 15:45 Country Panel Discussions - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

- Julien DEFRANCE - Head of the Economic Department - French Embassy in Saudi Arabia

- Katada ALIBRAHIM - Business Development Manager - Middle East - Genta

- Pascal DUFOUR - Vice-President for MENA & Turkey - Digital Virgo

- Julie BARBIER - Group CEO & Founder - Merit Incentives

Moderator: Milena DIMITROVA - Business Development Director - CCI France UAE
16:00 - 16:45 Country Panel Discussions - Oman

- Sulaiman Al Harthi - Chief Executive Officer - Oman Arab Bank

- Sébastien LAFRAGETTE - Director - Centre Franco Omanais

- Erwan Rouxel - CEO Veolia in Oman - VEOLIA

- Gulnaz Ukassova - Security Director, Information & Analysis, Middle East and South Africa - INTERNATIONAL SOS

Moderator: Myriam ELIAS - Manager and Coordinator - Omani French Friendship Association (OFA)
16:00 - 16:45 Country Panel Discussions - Kuwait

- Mona ALSHAWA - Acting Regional Head of GCC and Country CEO – Kuwait - First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)

- Jana Mulla Ali - Senior Legal Advisor - Al Hamad Legal Group

- Sheikha Sarah - Al-Sabah Founder and Chief Foresight Advisor FuturesMaker

Moderator: Olivier K.ESCLAUZE - Board Chair - FBCK
16:00 - 16:45 Country Panel Discussions - Qatar

- Mohamed BRIBI - Qatar Coutry Manager and BDM Middle East, Asia, Africa - Vulcain Engineering Group

- Essa Mohammed - AL SULAITI - Chairman Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm

- Aminn TAMSOUH - founder and CEO - Fransea Line Tech

- Ronan Trégouët - Country Manager, Qatar – International Operations - Schneider Electric

Moderator: Nayla SAMAHA-KHALIFE - Senior Content & Project Manager, Head of French Emirati Women Committee - CCI France UAE

with the support of

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