Dignitaries, government and business leaders, and industry experts from the UAE and around the world have gathered in Dubai for the International Conference launching the 10th cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award, and the 2nd cycle of the MRM Business Innovation Award.

A high-profile event, entitled, "Drivers of Growth in Organisations of the 21st Century: Harnessing the Human Factor" was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in line with the objectives of the National Programme for Happiness and Positivity and UAE Vision 2021.

The international conference, held at Dubai’s Emirates Towers, provided an ideal platform for small and large organisations alike to learn applicable best-in-class business practices from local and global industry experts.

The event was attended by Ohood Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing, and several other local and international speakers who highlighted some of the most pressing challenges faced by organisations today, as well as effective strategies to drive efficiency and productivity in a fast-changing business world.

The keynote speech was delivered by Al Roumi, who spoke on the topic of "The Importance of Happiness and Positivity for the Future of Organisations." In her remarks, Al Roumi described happiness and positivity as two key factors that are influential to the fundamental building blocks of organisations, and pointed out that scientific evidence has proven the important relationship that exists between employee happiness, productivity and profitability.

During a special address, Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award, highlighted key factors driving organisational growth in a fast-changing business world, as well as the importance of harnessing the human factor in achieving business objectives.

"With increasing work pressures, changing customer requirements, and fierce competition on the rise, the determinants of success for a 21st century organization are evolving, and evolving fast. Keeping pace with these changes is critical for organisations to sustain their foothold in the market," he said.

The conference concluded with an interactive panel discussion that addressed opportunities and challenges associated with forces that are shaping the future of business.

A member of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the MRM Business Award was initiated in 2005 to recognise and celebrate the success of organisations that contribute to the sustainable economic development of the UAE and the wider GCC region.

The MRM Business Innovation Award, launched by Dubai Chamber in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Economy in 2015, aims to encourage companies across the GCC to embrace innovation. The award places a strategic focus on transforming business models to meet current and future challenges.