SFME To Spotlight MENA's EV Market Expansion In Upcoming Roundtable

The Sustainability Forum Middle East (SFME) is gearing up to host a pivotal roundtable discussion focused on "Green Mobility and the Growth of Mena's EV Market" on March 4, 2024, in Bahrain. This event, marking the commencement of the Forum's 2024 series, aims to spotlight carbon neutrality initiatives within the Mena region.

In a collaborative effort, the session is organized alongside First Motors, a leading EV dealership in Bahrain, and Infracorp, the Forum's primary partner and venue host. Coinciding with the roundtable, a partnership agreement between Infracorp and Solar One will be formalized to establish an electric vehicle charging station at Bahrain Harbour, pioneering residential EV charging solutions in the area.

The dialogue will bring together experts in transportation and sustainability to deliberate on the urgent need to curb carbon emissions in the sector. With the transportation industry accounting for a substantial portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, the roundtable will scrutinize global and regional strategies to foster electric vehicle adoption and sustainable mobility solutions.

Abdulaziz Tawfeeqi, Director of Development at Infracorp, and Kal Subramanian, Head of Markets at KPMG, are among the notable participants, with Subramanian serving as the moderator for the session.

The Rise of Electric Vehicles in Mena

Laila Danesh, Managing Director of FinMark Communications and the Forum's founder, highlighted a Deloitte study predicting the Mena region's EV market to surge from $2.7 billion in 2023 to $7.65 billion by 2028. This forecast underscores the growing momentum towards sustainable mobility and the challenges and opportunities ahead for EV adoption in the region.

Nawaf Khalid Al Zayani, Managing Director of First Motors, expressed optimism about the burgeoning EV market in Bahrain and its potential to support national carbon emission reduction efforts. He emphasized the automotive industry's critical role in facilitating the transition to electric mobility and the importance of collaborative efforts to expedite EV adoption.

Partnerships for a Sustainable Future

The Forum has garnered support from an array of partners dedicated to combating climate change, including ABC Bank and Infracorp as lead partners. Strategic partners such as Tamkeen, Bapco Energies, and Standard Chartered Bank, along with forum partners including APM Terminals Bahrain and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain, underscore the collective commitment to sustainable development. Gulf Air Group's role as the official carrier and partnerships with media outlets like Asharq Business with Bloomberg facilitate broader engagement and awareness.

Infracorp, with a substantial investment in infrastructure and sustainability development sectors, boasts a capital of $1.2 billion and manages nearly $3 billion in infrastructure assets across the GCC, North Africa, and South Asia. This investment underlines Infracorp's dedication to fostering sustainable economic and social infrastructure development.

As the Sustainability Forum Middle East sets the stage for crucial discussions on green mobility and EV market growth, the collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and experts signals a concerted effort to advance sustainable mobility solutions in the region.