Manama:Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, has officially opened the Middle East Technology and Telecommunications Conference (MEET ICT) and the Bahrain International Technology Exhibition (BITEX 2026). These events are centered around the theme "AI Driving the Digital Economy of Tomorrow."
According to Bahrain News Agency, the events are organized by the Bahrain Technology Companies Society in collaboration with WorkSmart for Events Management. They feature participation from officials, experts, and representatives from the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah emphasized Bahrain's commitment to fostering a competitive, innovation-driven digital economy by investing in digital infrastructure and embracing modern technologies like artificial intelligence to support sustainable development. He highlighted Bahrain's ambition to become a regional technology and innovation hub.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah noted that AI is reshaping economies and transforming sectors, including government service delivery. He stressed the responsible, safe, and inclusive use of these technologies, with a focus on people and their development.
The Transportation Minister further mentioned Bahrain's efforts in developing a future-ready digital economy through advanced digital infrastructure, forward-looking policies, and investment in human capital. The ministry is also developing its AI strategy to advance the Kingdom's digital transformation.
Additionally, the importance of secure, resilient, and high-capacity communications networks was highlighted as essential for leveraging AI, cloud computing, and emerging technologies.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Telecommunications, underscored the need for continued development of telecommunications infrastructure to keep pace with technological advances, which would support innovation and expand investment in the digital economy.
The conference and exhibition are set to discuss AI applications, digital transformation, and the impact of emerging technologies on businesses and services. They will also present the latest technological solutions and explore opportunities for collaboration among participating organizations.
Dr. Shaikh Abdullah toured the exhibition stands, observing the latest technologies and digital solutions presented by participants, and learned about their applications in AI and telecommunications.
BITEX 2026 runs concurrently with MEET ICT, featuring companies specializing in ICT, showcasing innovations that enhance services and competitiveness in the digital economy.