Event will discuss growing role of private sector in the Gulf region Speakers confirmed from NEOM, Boeing, Amazon Web Services and others Bahrain will host over 500 prominent investors and CEOs at the inaugural Gateway Gulf economic investment forum in May. The event will discuss economic trends within the Gulf region, touching on transformation strategies introduced by states in the wake of lower oil prices, characterised by the changing role of government from operator to regulator, with the private sector taking a greater development lead. “The transformation of the Gulf economy is unlocking opportunities for business as never before,” said Khalid Al-Rumaihi, CEO of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, which is organizing the forum. “This event will provide access to key decision makers and open up new channels for communication and discussion to address investor questions, facilitating important connections to realize projects across multiple industries.” Plenary topics at the event will include the development of human capital, the impact of technology, and the opportunities created by "China’s One Belt, One Road" foreign economic policy. Confirmed speakers for the event, to be held in Manama from May 8-10, include Kuwait’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudan, Klaus Kleinfeld, CEO of Saudia Arabia’s NEOM megacity, Bernard Dunn, Boeing’s president for MENA and Turkey, and Kwek Ping Yong, managing partner of China’s Inventis Investment Holdings.