H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Al Rabie, Secretary General, Arab Economic Unity Council, gave the opening speech of the international conference and exhibition of fintech, inaugurated today under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, United Arab Emirates.

H.E. said in his speech:

We meet again on this good and inspiring land, where its leaders work diligently to strengthen the foundations of economic growth of the Arab world, based digital knowledge.

We meet in two important events, the first was in Abu Dhabi last December, when League of Arab States, and through Arab Economic Unity Council, launched the Arab Common Vision for Digital Economy, in the presence of their excellencies and highness, ministers, ambassadors, and representatives of Arab countries in the United Arab Emirates.

Ladies and Gentlemen

A new dawn has broken for Arab joint action in Abu Dhabi, through Arab digital economy portal. The portal was embraced by United Arab Emirates, for the good of and to serve interests of Arab nation, where the Arab Common Vision for Digital Economy was launched from Abu Dhabi, to frame the required policies and legislations, which are to support economic growth and to integrate the Arab world technically, it will also improve political and social stability of the Arab region.

And now, it’s followed by international conference and exhibition of fintech, embraced by Dubai, the Emirate of creativity and innovation, to review the latest technology in different fields that would support Arab governments, and economic establishments, in their digital transformation.

I am also pleased to announce that League of Arab States, and through Arab Economic Unity Council, is launching the Arab Common Vision for Digital Economy, with emphasis on 50 programs and pioneering projects for digital transformation in Arab countries. An I invite all sectors participating in this conference and exhibition, and specifically the private sector, to start coordinating efforts to implement those projects and programs, and to place their bids on them, as they are of high ROI, as well as great impact on Arab societies, economically and socially.

The programs of the Arab Common Vision for Digital Economy are of high economic feasibility, and the results are going to be folds more if all Arab countries unite, and work on supporting the Arab value chain. Also, the impact of the economic growth we aspire for, with the help of these programs, will go beyond economic feasibility, it will play a key role in improving and entrenching political and social stability across all Arab countries.

The Arab Common Vision for Digital Economy also reflects the ultimate priority of integrating efforts for digital transformation of governments infrastructure and services, and digital inclusion of Arab societies, to guarantee the inclusion of Arab countries of less financial capabilities. And most importantly, to guarantee attracting Arab and global investment funds, within an integrated and comprehensive strategic vision.

This is the best chance, if not the only one available today to unify all the efforts of Arab governments, and to ensure that the Arab countries cope with digital revolution, and to have its positive impacts on economic growth, and sustainable development, integrating with UN programs aiming at enhancing and stabilizing economies of the Arab regions.

This strategic vision could have never been into practice unless there was a leader who looked ahead to the future, and was concerned with Arab region development, so it can be prosperous. Therefore, and from here, I would like to present, in the name of League of Arab States, and the Arab economic unity council, all thanks and gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, for his support of this strategic project, and his sharp vision for the project to contribute to developing sustainable Arab economies in the region, and the impact of such development, direct and indirect, on the whole world.

I’d like also to present sincere thanks and gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which this conference is held under his auspices, for his support of the vision with all its details. We also value his continuous leadership of the work groups developing the strategic vision, and his confident vision, with all its positive aspects for the good of Arab societies, which is obvious in his noble saying, following the legacy of a great man, he reminds us of this saying on every meeting with H.H.: “We, in the United Arab Emirates, continue the journey of Zayed, the Benevolent.”

I thank you all for participating in this year’s conference, and I wish you all the best.

Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings.