The Kuwait Innovation Forum

Overview

Join us for this captivating event as we celebrate the spirit of innovation within Kuwait’s thriving business sector. Despite challenges, Kuwait’s economy has remained remarkably resilient and buoyant. Through engaging discussions, expert panels, and inspiring success stories, we will explore how businesses in Kuwait have embraced innovation to overcome obstacles, drive growth, and shape a prosperous future. Discover cutting-edge strategies, emerging technologies, and collaborative opportunities that will propel Kuwait’s business landscape to new heights.

Innovation knows no bounds, and it has become increasingly evident that it is applicable to all sectors of the economy. From real estate to the banking and food sectors, businesses have recognized the importance of stepping outside of the box and embracing technological solutions to streamline their processes and stay ahead in a competitive landscape. This event will offer a comprehensive view of how diverse industries in Kuwait have harnessed the power of innovation to achieve remarkable outcomes.

Speakers

HE Dr. Anwar Ali Al-Mudhaf

Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs Kuwait

HE Dr. Anwar Ali Al-Mudhaf

Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs
Kuwait

HE Dr. Anwar Ali Al-Mudhaf is Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investments and Chairman of the Board of Directors of KDIPA. He is a former chairman of the board of directors and corporate governance committee at Ahli United Bank K.S.C.P. and director of the board of governors of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. He has more than 25 years of experience in banking and finance and holds a PhD in finance from Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management, Claremont Graduate University.

Nawaf Hisham Al-Gharabally

CEO, Zain Kuwait

Nawaf Hisham Al-Gharabally

CEO,
Zain Kuwait

Nawaf Hisham Al-Gharabally has held the position of Zain Kuwait CEO since March 2024. He has an impressive 25-year track record of success within Zain and the telecoms industry across the Middle East and Africa. Al-Gharabally has held roles as Zain Group and Zain Kuwait CTO prior to his latest appointment. Al-Gharabally joined the Zain family in 1998, and over the years has developed to become a key member of the organization’s executive management team. He possesses extensive experience across a number of disciplines covering mobile technologies, digital transformation, strategy, and management with multiple career highlights, notably Zain Kuwait emerging as the first company to successfully launch 5G services in the Gulf region, under his leadership in 2019. Al-Gharabally graduated from Kuwait University in 1998 with a cachelor's degree in engineering, and went on to attain an MBA from London Business School in 2021.

Abdulwahab Issa Al-Rushood

Acting Group CEO, Kuwait Finance House

Abdulwahab Issa Al-Rushood

Acting Group CEO,
Kuwait Finance House

Abdulwahab Issa Al-Rushood received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Western Oregon State College in the US in 1987. He successfully completed a specialized training course on strategic leadership at Harvard Business School. He has been the Acting Group CEO and Group Chief Treasury and Financial Institutions Officer at Kuwait Finance House since 2015. In addition, he is the chairman of KFH Capital Investment Company and a board member at Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain. He possesses vast banking experience spanning more than 33 years. During his professional career, he has held numerous prominent leadership roles starting in the treasury department at Gulf Bank before moving to Kuwait Finance House.

Mazen Issam Hawwa

Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, United Real Estate Company K.S.C.P (URC)

Mazen Issam Hawwa

Vice-Chairman and Group CEO,
United Real Estate Company K.S.C.P (URC)

Mazen Issam Hawwa joined URC as Group CEO in 2020. He is a member of the senior management team of KIPCO Group, where he has spent more than 19 years. He joined the finance and accounts team in 2001 and was last deputy group chief operating officer leading finance and operations. He also serves on the board of several KIPCO operating subsidiaries. He holds an executive MBA from HEC Paris and is a graduate of the Lebanese American University.

Faisal Alharoun

Managing Director - Kuwait, Tap Payments

Faisal Alharoun

Managing Director - Kuwait,
Tap Payments

Faisal Alharoun has over 15 years of experience working in various roles in various sectors in investment, non-profit, and tech entrepreneurship. He started his career in investments and progressed during his time with Kuwait Finance Center (Markaz), where he engaged in private banking services. His interest in youth development started when he moved to LOYAC and led the organization in developing various initiatives including career development, arts, and sports. Moving to the tech world, he launched multiple tech start-ups and continues his passion in supporting tech startu-ps in his role as the Group Senior Vice President & Managing Director of Kuwait at Tap Payments.

Dalal Alrayes

Co-Founder & CEO, Spare

Dalal Alrayes

Co-Founder & CEO,
Spare

Dalal Alrayes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Spare, a leading open banking provider in the Middle East. Prior to founding Spare, she worked as an investment manager at Global Investment House’s private equity team, where she helped a variety of companies across the Middle East increase their value by turning around their operations, restructuring management, and redefining their product offering. Before that, she worked in hedge fund investing. She is a full-stack web developer and is passionate about technology and education. She holds an MBA from London Business School and a bachelor of science in business administration (finance and economics) from Babson College.

Abdullah Alsaleh

CEO, Sakan Global

Abdullah Alsaleh

CEO,
Sakan Global

Abdullah Alsaleh is an entrepreneur and CEO of Sakan Global. He began his career as a civil and structural engineer in the urban planning department at Kuwait  Municipality. 

Khalifah Al Yaqout

Managing Partner, Al Yaqout and Al Fouzan Legal Group

Khalifah Al Yaqout

Managing Partner,
Al Yaqout and Al Fouzan Legal Group

Khalifah Al Yaqout is the managing partner at Al Yaqout and Al Fouzan Legal Group. He is an experienced litigator, with the right of audience before the Court of Cassation. In addition to his managerial role at the firm, Khalifah frequently advises and litigates on behalf of clients in relation to commercial, civil and administrative cases. Furthermore, he is also an arbitrator in the Kuwaiti International Chamber of Arbitration, as well as a consultant to the Minister of Social Affairs. Previously, he was also a consultant to the Minister of Electricity and Water and the Minister of Commerce and Industry. Al Yaqout is a recommended lawyer by Legal500 in Kuwait.

Naser Khraibut

Deputy Director General for Planning & Design, Public Authority for Housing Welfare

Naser Khraibut

Deputy Director General for Planning & Design,
Public Authority for Housing Welfare

Naser Khraibut is an architect and one of the leaders in charge in transforming new city developments in Kuwait into smart, sustainable, and vibrant communities that are based on real economic bases and job creation opportunities, which are done on a clear strategic road map. He is Deputy Director General for Planning & Design at the Public Authority for Housing Welfare.

Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al Sabah

Chairman, Kuwait Banking Association

Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al Sabah

Chairman,
Kuwait Banking Association

Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al Sabah has been the Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait since April 1, 2018. In his capacity as Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait, he was nominated as Chairman of the Kuwait Banking Association effective from February 20, 2022 and became a member of the World Union of Arab Bankers in May 2022. He has also been a board member of the Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies since April 2018. Furthermore, he held the position of board member at Kuwait Clearing Company, representing the Commercial Bank of Kuwait, from 2018 until 2019. He was recommended once again on May 11, 2022 as member of the board of directors of Kuwait Clearing Company. He previously held the position of Chairman of Al Tijari Financial Brokerage Company from 2014 until 2020. He graduated with an MBA from Maastricht School of Management in March 2008 after obtaining his bachelor’s degree in science with a major in finance from Bentley College, US, in May 2000.

Alex Krunic

Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK - Al Tijari)

Alex Krunic

Senior Advisor to the Chairman,
Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK - Al Tijari)

Krunic is currently the Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK - Al Tijari), where he focuses at strategy, business development and optimisation across the bank. Prior to joining CBK, Krunic was the CEO at Kuwait Clearing Company, where he was responsible for all post trade businesses in the Kuwait market, including the CCP and CSD. Prior to joining KCC, Krunic was the Head of Equities at London Clearing House (LCH), the post trade division of London Stock Exchange. He has more than 23 years of experience in international banking and the securities services industry and has held senior roles at JP Morgan, Citi, Bank of New York, and Societe Generale. He holds a degree in economics from the University of West London and a master of science in business finance from Brunel University.

David E Rutter

CEO, R3

David E Rutter

CEO,
R3

David E Rutter is a well-respected thought leader in the financial technology industry. He has over 30 years of experience leading some of Wall Street's top institutions. He has invested in and founded a number of start-ups including R3 and LiquidityEdge LLC. He previously served for 10 years as the CEO of Electronic Broking at ICAP Plc. Prior to that, he was co-owner and CEO of Prebon Yamane.

Ammar Alhusaini

Deputy Director General, Central Agency for Information Technology ( CAIT)

Ammar Alhusaini

Deputy Director General,
Central Agency for Information Technology ( CAIT)

Ammar Alhusaini is currently the Deputy Director General of the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) in Kuwait. Before joining CAIT, he was the assistant vice president for information technology (CIO) at Kuwait University (KU) and an assistant professor in the computer engineering department at KU. He also worked as the director of Kuwait Cultural Office at the Kuwait Embassy in Australia (2010-2014), the director general of the Information Center at the Ministry of Education (2006-2007), and the director of the Guidance and Counselling Office at the College of Engineering and Petroleum Kuwait University (2001-2004).

Ioana Krempanszky Popa

Regional Director Middle East, The Business Year

Ioana Krempanszky Popa

Regional Director Middle East,
The Business Year

Ioana Krempanszky Popa is The Regional Director for Middle East for The Business Year, where she has been working for the past 6 years. She has successfully created partnerships with the worlds' largest entities in highly competitive markets, and lead teams to complete successful projects in several countries, such as the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Jamaica, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Nigeria. She graduated from the University of Vienna, Austria, with a Master's Degree in Cognitive Science, majoring in behavioral economics.

Agustina Dal Fabbro

Country Manager Kuwait, The Business Year

Agustina Dal Fabbro

Country Manager Kuwait,
The Business Year

Agustina Dal Fabbro has a wealth of experience across various industries, showcasing strong leadership and expertise in project management, customer service, and marketing. As the Country Manager & Project Director for The Business Year in Colombia, Egypt, and Kuwait, she demonstrated exceptional market penetration skills, securing lucrative deals and orchestrating successful events that drove substantial revenue growth. Her tenure at Majorel and Sunscape Akumal highlighted her ability to deliver high customer satisfaction consistently. Previously, she excelled in team management and operations roles at Ocean Tours and Alex's Stake Restaurant. She holds a bachelor's in economics and management and a MSc in marketing management from Bocconi University.

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