CFO Conference Middle East 2024

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The CFO Conference Middle East 2024, held on October 29th, 2024, brought together thought leaders and finance professionals to discuss the transformative trends shaping the future of finance in the region. The conference highlighted key themes such as automation, cybersecurity, sustainability, and the role of women in finance, providing valuable insights for CFOs and financial leaders.

Opening Remarks and Keynote Addresses

The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Mr Khalid Rahman, Chairperson of the Overseas Coordination Committee (OCC), who set the stage for an engaging day ahead. Mr Farrukh Rehman, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), provided a high-level overview of the association's role in fostering financial excellence.

A noteworthy keynote address on the “UAE and GCC's Roadmap to Transformative Growth” provided insights into the strategic direction for the region, highlighting the UAE's pivotal role as a gateway for economic growth.

Bridging Nations: Strengthening Ties Between Pakistan & the UAE

A significant discussion centred around the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the UAE, moderated by Alia Noor. Speakers, including H.E. Faisal Tirmizi and Mr. Ashfaq Yousuf Tola, emphasised the need to strengthen diplomatic and economic synergies. The potential for increasing exports from Pakistan to the UAE, currently at $3.26 billion, was highlighted, along with the importance of inclusive growth across the Gulf market.

Transforming Finance: The Power of Automation

One of the standout sessions was the panel discussion on transforming finance through automation. Industry leaders shared strategies for optimising ERP systems and the critical return on investment associated with automation. Poll results indicated that 51-75% of tasks within companies could be automated, underscoring the necessity for financial leaders to prioritise automation in their strategies.

Women in Finance: A Call for Inclusivity

H.E. Aarefa Al Falahi’s keynote address focused on the representation of women in finance, noting that while female nationals represent 70% of the workforce in banking, only 10% work in finance roles in the private sector. The call for more opportunities and inclusive practices resonated throughout the conference.

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Mastering Business Continuity in a Cyber Crisis

Saad Kaliya’s presentation addressed the critical need for business continuity planning in the face of cyber threats. The consensus was clear: organisations must be prepared for incidents and focus on robust incident response plans, emphasising the importance of timely communication with stakeholders.

Sustainability & ESG Reporting

As businesses navigate a complex environment, integrating sustainability into financial strategies has become paramount. The panel, moderated by Mr. Bikash Prasad, explored how companies can uncover hidden value through effective ESG practices.

From CFO Struggles to FinTech Solutions

At the conference, Armin Moradi CEO and Co-Founder of Qashio, shared a transformative presentation on “Transforming Personal Pain Points Into UAE's Multi-Award-Winning FinTech Revolution”, which focuses on overcoming key challenges in finance, including time inefficiencies and financial transparency. By addressing manual reconciliation delays, outdated processes, and the importance of effective reward systems, Armin emphasised Qashio’s commitment to equipping finance teams with streamlined, automated solutions. 

Qashio’s Value Proposition: Empowering Finance Teams

As a market leader in expense management and smart corporate card solutions, Qashio delivers unmatched value to finance teams and businesses in the UAE and beyond. Here are the key benefits that set Qashio apart:

• Automation & Efficiency: Qashio's powerful financial control centre automates tedious financial tasks, from receipt matching to real-time expense tracking, saving valuable time for CFOs and finance teams.
• Control & Visibility: With Qashio, businesses gain complete visibility into their financial operations. Features like budget linking, spend controls, and transaction monitoring empower finance teams to make informed decisions.
• Custom Policies & Integrations: Qashio offers multi-level approval workflows and seamless integrations with ERP and accounting software, enabling businesses to tailor their expense management processes to their unique needs.
• Exclusive Rewards Program: Qashio Points allows businesses to earn rewards on every transaction with the Qashio card, with redemption options including Emirates Skywards Miles, Shukrans, cashback, and more. 
• High-Quality Customer Support: Qashio prioritises its clients with dedicated customer support and ongoing platform enhancements to meet evolving business needs.

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By addressing the real-world challenges of finance teams, Qashio empowers businesses to achieve greater efficiency, transparency, and growth. As highlighted at the CFO Conference, Qashio is not just a FinTech platform—it’s a transformative partner in modern financial management.

Conclusion

The CFO Conference Middle East 2024 successfully highlighted the evolving landscape of finance in the region. With a focus on automation, cybersecurity, inclusivity, and sustainability, attendees left with actionable insights and a renewed commitment to driving financial excellence. As we look to the future, the discussions at this conference will undoubtedly influence the trajectory of finance in the Middle East.

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