Business Reporter
DOHA: The Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (Goic) is organising an international conference next month on Knowledge Based Industries (KBI) and Nanotechnology.
The two-day seminar, starting on February 11, seeks to introduce KBIs and diagnosing means and practical mechanisms for enabling the GCC states to launch this industry, further to presenting a comprehensive strategy for the region in this field.
The seminar, which is being organised in association with the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organisation and The Arab Science and Technology Foundation, is considered an important economic assembly, especially in view of the new global economic trends, which are based on knowledge as a main input in economy.
Goic pointed to the potential great role KBIs would play in the future of the region supported by growth in research and development (R&D) expenditure in some GCC countries.
“The region is prepared for playing a key role in this industry based on a number of factors, amongst them come the financing capabilities and the general investment environment,” said a spokesman of the Goic, which is also considering establishing special purpose vehicles for the development of KB sectors.
Having made a substantial commitment and a vision to develop the environment necessary to foster a knowledge-based economy, Qatar has the opportunity to become a pioneer in the region and a global KBI leader, he said.
Qatar has demonstrated its commitment to devoting a substantial share of GDP towards R&D spending and created institutions like the Qatar Foundation, the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), the Qatar Science and Technology Park and other related knowledge initiatives, the spokesman pointed out.
KBIs rely on scientific advances, innovation and pioneering technology, since information and knowledge have emerged as main contributors of value in the modern global economy. |
