FBAW conference set to provide critical support for family businesses amid pandemic

For family businesses that are weathering the storm of the global pandemic and its economic consequences, the upcoming Family Business in the Arab World (FBAW) Conference on November 4 to 5 is particularly timely. The FBAW Conference, a joint initiative of the Sheikh Saoud Bin Khalid Bin Khalid Al Qassimi Chair at American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the Tharawat Family Business Forum, in partnership with Invest in Sharjah, brings together scholars representing more than 50 universities from over 40 countries, family business leaders from around the world, and experts to share valuable guidance on issues impacting the MENA region.

Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Deputy Managing Director, Al Saud Company, who will officially open the conference, said the initiative provides critical support for the future of family businesses in the region.

"Family businesses play an important role in the economies of the MENA. Through the Sheikh Saoud Bin Khalid Bin Khalid Al Qassimi Chair in Family Business, we are able to support family business education, bridging the knowledge gap to the next generation. Already, and in a short period, we have begun seeing the fruits of the Chair, and it is our hope that this positive trend continues into the future," he said.

This chair position is currently held by Dr. Rodrigo Basco, a faculty member in the AUS School of Business Administration, who earlier this year published a case study and a series of recommendations to help family businesses thrive beyond 2020.

“Family-owned enterprises are facing a landscape of ever-increasing complexity and the global pandemic is only one of the challenges business owners in the MENA region have had to tackle over the past few years—socioeconomic shifts, disruption and a millennial workforce are but some of the factors influencing decision making. The group of global experts contributing to this conference will provide family businesses with critical information on how to deal with these challenges,” said Dr. Basco.

The conference, which will be held over two days, includes an Academic Day on November 4, with a full line-up of more than 30 presentations and real family business case studies by academics from Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Middle East; and a Family Business Day, with a practical and dynamic agenda with well-known keynote speakers and panelists, on November 5 for which family business professionals are encouraged to register online at www.fbaw.org.

“The second day of the FBAW conference will explore how family business leaders are addressing the new reality and how their leadership is transforming their organizations for the future,” said Dr. Basco.

Speaking on behalf of Tharawat Family Business Forum, General Manager and attorney at law Farida El Agamy, said:

"Tharawat is very proud to be partnering with the Sheikh Saoud Bin Khalid Al Qassimi Chair in Family Business at AUS in founding and growing FBAW. Our joint vision to enhance the field of family business research is of key importance to the success and longevity of family enterprises in this region. We are looking forward to expanding FBAW into a much-needed platform for regional and international researchers."

For more information about the Family Business in the Arab World Conference from November 4 to 5, as well as registration details, visit www.fbaw.org.