Media Release
Doha, Nov 3: The Doha Chapter (The “Chapter”) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) organized its 8 th annual conference on the theme “Digital: Evolve, Empower & Enhance” on October 27- 28, at the picturesque Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Pearl Qatar.
The event was organized on a digital format – the screens, the promotion material and digital souvenir among others, in resonance with the theme of the conference.
The 2-day conference was attended by nearly 250 comprising of chapter members, sponsors representatives, students and the delegates from many countries, with industry leaders, corporate honchos & esteemed personalities as speakers. Chapter secretary CA Kamlesh Tibrewal delivered his opening remarks, welcoming the attendees to two days of learning and networking at the picturesque venue.
Following his remarks, chapter chairperson CA Ankit Agarwal introduced the theme of the conference Digital: Evolve, Empower & Enhance. He explained & emphasized digitalization is part and parcel of everything we do and how once needs to empower himself and evolve. He enumerated Chapter’s past activities, along with the topics for discussion during the conference.
The eminent line of speakers, experts in introducing and embracing digital within their fields and industries through innovation. The chief guest at the event was Hesham Al Sharaf – COO, Qetaifan Projects. The guests of honor were – Sheikh Nasser Abdul Aziz Al Thani – head, business development, Qetaifan Projects and Hamad Mohammed Al Nasr – senior associate, business development, Qatar Financial Center. CA Aniket Talati, vice president-ICAI delivered an encouraging video message, congratulating the chapter and its activities and highlighted the importance of digital and how the ICAI too as an organization has embraced digital in its activities.
He also highlighted the upcoming World Congress of Accountants, to be held at Mumbai, India from November 18-21 and invited all to attend. The first technical session was conducted by speakers from our sponsors, Mannai Infotech – Saravanan. S and Ibrahim Badra, on “Redefine Finance – Run your Business Sustainably.
The speakers from KPMG – Nizar Hneini and Giorgio Torre spoke about Innovation through Digital and various technologies available to enhance digitally, including Web 3.0, Blockchain and Crypto Innovations. CA Sheji Vilayakath was conferred with the coveted “CA Dilip Thakker Professional Achiever’s Award 2022” for exceptional leadership skills & remarkable success and community service.
Empowering and enhancing climate action through digital tools, and the immediate need for action was highlighted by speaker Neeshad Shafi – a member of the United Nations body monitoring climate change.
Prof (Dr) Konrad Grabiszweski from HEC Paris (our learning partner) spoke about mobile (r)evolution with a presentation packed with interesting facts. Devesh Vijay from Baker Tilly lead a power packed presentation on digital growth – bolstering your value proposition. He spoke about growth opportunities provided by digital and how one can use these opportunities to bolster their value proposition.
Retail expert – Hosein Moghaddas from Deloitte underlined that retail is within the forefront of digital and how consumers’ needs and ways of purchase is changing by the day and evolving through the use of digital.
Next, the audience was thoroughly entertained and mesmerized by the expert acts of ‘mentalist’ Javier Saba. Some of the tricks left the audience wondering how this man makes the ‘impossible’ happen.
Emad Saif a lead trainer and an expert spoke on the power of networking and highlighted how, even in this digital age, body language and networking play a pivotal role. He stressed on the need for professionals to focus on these soft skills too to be successful. The conference audience were enthralled by an astounding speech by ex-toastmaster world champion, Mohammed Qathani, who brought out his expert public speaking skills to deliver the ‘Power of Change’. The speaker kept the audience interested all through with his examples and ideas.
Our esteemed sponsors include annual gold sponsors – Aster DM Healthcare, Morrison & Menon Chartered Accountants & Partners; event gold sponsor – Baker Tilly JFC; event silver sponsor – Mannai Infotech, KPMG, Deloitte Qatar, Qatar Insurance Company; annual support sponsor – Kreston SVP Chartered Accountants, Qunatum Global Solutions, Moore, Capitaire; event support sponsors – Galfar Al Misnad Engineering and Contracting Company, Tally Solutions; Learning Partner – HEC Paris; Sustainability partner – Seashore Recycling and Sustainability; Media Partner – Anish Grid.
The vote of thanks was presented by the chapter vice chairperson CA Vignesh Kalyanaraman. He thanked the dignitaries, members, sponsors, speakers, and organizing committee members whose support made this event a grand success. The attendees highly appreciated the topics, the venue, deliberations by highprofile speakers & overall conduct of this mega event.
The Doha Chapter of ICAI is established in the year 1981 and is the oldest among the 44 overseas chapters of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of India. The current membership of the chapter is approximately 400, who hold key positions in private and public sector establishments in Qatar and are actively involved in support and development of accounting profession in Qatar.
The chapter is actively involved in enhancing and updating the professional knowledge of its members, local professionals and nonmembers. Doha Chapter of ICAI is the first professional membership body to be registered with Qatar Financial Centre. Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, residing in Qatar and desirous of seeking membership of the chapter may please contact any of the executive members of the ICAI.