Bain & Company participated in “Converting Change into Opportunity,” an event where Senior Partner, Dr. Houssem Jemili, joined a distinguished panel to explore the GCC’s path toward economic transformation and innovation-led growth. The event convened global leaders, economists, and policymakers to examine how the region can navigate global uncertainty through innovation, regulatory modernization, and sustainable development.
Dr. Jemili spoke on the panel titled “Transitioning to a new economic model: the GCC’s evolution into a global innovation and growth hub,” alongside Mohamed Bardastani, Chief Economist for CEMEA at Visa; Alexander Perjessy, Senior Credit Officer at Moody’s; and Lamya AlFozan, Senior Director of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Reflecting on the region’s evolution, Dr. Jemili emphasized the catalytic role of technology and policy alignment in driving economic diversification. “We are witnessing a profound transformation in the GCC, where regulatory innovation, visionary leadership, and digital acceleration are converging to create future-ready economies. What sets this region apart today is not just the ambition to diversify, but the speed and scale at which ecosystems are being built,” said Dr. Houssem Jemili, Senior Partner at Bain & Company Middle East.
A major focus of the panel was the evolving role of ESG principles in economic planning and capital deployment. Dr. Jemili noted that ESG is no longer a compliance checkbox but a foundational pillar of strategy: “We’re seeing a shift where ESG is increasingly recognized as a driver of long-term competitiveness. Governance, in particular, is becoming central to how capital is allocated and how partnerships are formed, especially in sectors like infrastructure, clean tech, and urban development.”
The conversation also highlighted the region’s bold move toward generative artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation. Governments across the GCC are actively investing in AI infrastructure, data ecosystems, and public–private partnerships to position themselves as competitive global hubs for emerging technology. “AI is not just about automation—it is about reimagining public services, building smarter economies, and enabling entirely new industries. The GCC has the opportunity to lead, provided we continue to invest in skills, data ecosystems, and scalable AI applications,” said Dr. Jemili.
Panelists explored other key enablers of sustainable growth, including regional regulatory harmonization, sandbox environments for testing innovation, and public–private collaboration in sectors like logistics, fintech, biotech, and clean energy. The discussion acknowledged the importance of investing in talent and academic R&D, particularly in STEM fields, to close the human capital gap and sustain long-term innovation.
Bain & Company’s participation underscores its commitment to supporting the Middle East’s economic transformation through evidence-based consulting, bold leadership alignment, and ecosystem-scale innovation strategies.
