Prime Highlights-
- The University of Manchester – Dubai sponsored the Economist Enterprise Corporate Network Annual Conference, connecting its students and alumni with senior business leaders.
- The conference explored how changing trade patterns shape business strategy across the Middle East.
Key Facts-
- The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reached AED1.937 trillion in the first half of 2026, up 13.1 per cent year on year.
- The conference took place on 29 October 2026 at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi.
Background-
The University of Manchester – Dubai sponsored the Economist Enterprise Corporate Network Annual Conference, giving its students and alumni a chance to meet senior business leaders and economic experts. The event took place on 29 October 2026 at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi under the theme “A New Trade Geography: how the Middle East can shape the landscape”.
Speakers examined how shifting trade patterns affect business strategy in the Middle East. The programme featured the Economist Intelligence Unit’s outlook for 2027 and beyond, with talks on competitiveness, infrastructure, industrial development and the region’s ability to attract capital and talent.
Speakers included Dr Nasser Saidi of Nasser Saidi & Associates, Tobias Maier of DHL Global Forwarding, Helmut von Struve of Siemens and Sylvain Kluba of CEVA Logistics. Dr Ahmed Eissa, Group CEO of Saudi German Health UAE and a university alumnus, gave the keynote. He urged leaders to keep learning throughout their careers.
The event comes as UAE trade grows. Non-oil foreign trade reached AED1.937 trillion in the first half of 2026, up 13.1 per cent from a year earlier.
Randa Bessiso, Founding Director and CEO, Middle East, said expanding trade brings key decisions on where to invest and which skills to build. She said universities must link academic knowledge to practical needs.
