The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) - Kuwait Chapter conducted its first international conference on “Industrial Revolution 4.0 Digital Transformation” on 22 November 2019 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait. The objective of the conference was to understand the impact of changes in the digital landscape and the risks and opportunities for finance and accounting professionals. The conference received an overwhelming response. The resplendent ballroom was packed to capacity with more than 400 professionals and guests in attendance.
The conference began with the performance of the national anthems of Kuwait and India. CA Sai Devata, Chairman- ICAI Kuwait Chapter, warmly welcomed the dignatories, distinguished guests, speakers, GCC chapter chairpersons and sponsors. He then briefed the audience about the Chapter and it’s activities, the highlight of which was the historical milestone of signing a MOU between ICAI and KAAA and concluded by briefing about the theme of the conference and its impact on business.
The Conference was graced by H.E. Mr. K. Jeeva Sagar (Ambassador of India to Kuwait), CA Atul Gupta (Vice President of ICAI), Mr. Faisal Abdulmohsen Al-Tabeikh (Chairman, KAAA) and distinguished speakers who riveted the audience around various facets of digital transformation landscape and its impact on businesses.
The guest speakers for the evening were Ms Upasana Taku (Co-founder and COO MobiKwik), a leading Indian fin tech company, CA PR Ramesh (Partner, Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP), CA Swami Natrajan (Senior Director, Oracle Corporation) ) and Swami Mitrananda (Founder- Chinmaya Academy for Civil Services and Management). The guests on panel discussion included Mr. Abdulaziz Al Loughani (Managing Partner, Faith Capital and CEO- Floward), Mr. Abdullah Al Najran Al Tuwaijri (Deputy CEO, Boubyan Bank), Mr. Gopal Sharma (Partner, Transformation and Automation Leader- Ernst & Young) and Mrs. Sheikha Al Fulaij (Partner, Ernst & Young, who very eloquently moderated the panel discussion).
CA Atul Gupta along with Chairman - CA Sai Devata, Vice Chairman - CA Kaizar Shakir, Secretary - CA Deepak Bindal, and Treasurer - CA Aditya Vikram Dhanuka, felicitated all members of the Kuwait Chapter, who completed 50 years and 25 years in the profession.
The event was also an apt occasion to release the souvenir cum directory of members of ICAI Kuwait. The souvenir was released by H.E. Mr. K. Jeeva Sagar and CA Atul Gupta
The audience was actively engaged in interaction with the speakers and enjoyed the spot prizes and raffle draws during the breaks. The event ended with a scintillating folklore dance performance by Aartshala’s talented kids. It was a total cultural transformation. The kids received a thunderous applause from the audience. No event is ever complete without a formal expression of gratitude. CA Deepak Bindal, Secretary profusely thanked the speakers, guests and sponsors mainly title (Oracle), strategic (Ooredoo), platinum (Unimoni and Kuwait Airways) along with gold, silver and annual for their support in making the first international conference a grand success.