The region’s most influential gathering of procurement leaders, Procurement Middle East 2019, will tackle digitalization, outsourcing and other major industry themes when it opens in Bahrain on 23 April. The three-day event is supported by the Bahrain Economic Supply Projects and held under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Bassim Bin Yacob Al Hamer, Bahrain’s Minister of Housing and Chairman of the Bahrain Economic Supply Projects, whose keynote address will cover the importance of partnerships, driving change, operational models, and digital capabilities.

Held at the Downtown Rotana in Manama, the conference will draw professionals and experts from across the region to discuss the latest industry trends through a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, roundtable debates and workshops. This year’s theme explores innovative approaches to the technical advancement and digitization of procurement. Over 20 high-profile speakers are slated to speak at the event, which also includes two workshops on VAT and its implications for the industry, and an exhibition showcasing the latest solutions to procurement challenges.

“Given the right tools and technologies, procurement units within organizations can be transformed into partners in growth rather than remaining cost centers,” Dr. Mohammed Bahzad, Secretary General of the Bahrain Economic Supply Projects said. “We encourage companies to leverage the power of state-of-the art procurement processes in streamlining their business operations, and creating real value for their organizations, partners and customers.”

She added: “In line with our mandate to support the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030 to create a more competitive and sustainable economy, the Bahrain Economic Supply Projects supports the digital transformation of the economy, and the procurement sector’s role in spurring business activity. As the government’s partner for its procurement needs, we gather an enormous wealth of information about economic activity in the Kingdom, and digitalization can capture the information and faster the decision making process.”

This year’s conference also marks the launch of the Procurement Middle East Industry Recognition Awards, which celebrate achievements in the procurement sector in the region. The categories are Procurement Risk Management, Procurement Team, Most Innovative Technology, Procurement Consultancy and ‘We’ve Got the Talent’, which recognizes organizations that actively nurture and retain procurement talent.