NeXTfairs, Qatar's leading event and exhibition specialist, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Agora Group to launch the first ever Qatar Blockchain Summit on 11 & 12 September 2023 at The St. Regis, Qatar Blockchain Summit is an exclusive, closed-door experience that will bring together world-known speakers and C-level decision-makers for two days of networking, learning and discovery.

Qatar Blockchain Summit is focused on real-life applications of this blockchain's decentralized technology. Gathering digital transformation leaders across a wide range of industries, such as government, finance, healthcare, energy, transportation, to understand how they can unlock the power of blockchain to increase efficiency, transparency, and authenticity in their operations.

Mr. Rawad Sleem, Founder and General Manager, NeXTfairs, said: "The Blockchain market in the MENA region is on the precipice of huge growth. According to the latest study by The Ministry of Communication and Information: Qatar's blockchain market size was estimated at US $33.2 million in 2022 and is expected to grow by 66 per cent annually to reach $253.4 million in 2026. However, the same study has stated that current awareness of blockchain (more than a third of SMEs) is low and with a low utilization rate of around 3 per cent, demonstrating that the market has considerable room to expand. "

He added: "We are excited to highlight the enormous potential of this market: what it can do for business, its ROI for investors, and how it can help position Qatar as a hub for advanced technologies."

Speaking about the event's launch, Hadi Malaeb, Co-Founder of event partners Agora Group, said: "Qatar Blockchain Summit will anchor Qatar's position as a leading adaptor of blockchain and a central hub for global innovation. By bringing the most advanced blockchain innovators to the country and showcasing Qatari startups and talent, the event will significantly attract foreign direct investment and media exposure to the country. "

Gaining popularity in recent years, blockchain technology is a unique innovation that offers users a decentralized structure, improved security and privacy, reduced costs, and visibility and traceability. The first practical implementation of blockchain tech came with the release of Bitcoin. It was initially used as a decentralized ledger to record transactions in an absolute manner.

Blockchain can improve record management and provide protection, keeping anonymized IDs and data in employer databases while storing the encrypted hash key to safeguard data. For example, the Netherlands uses a blockchain-based infrastructure to administer its pension program. Blockchain technology can also be used to create smart contracts, which enables the rules of the contract can be enforced in real-time. This eliminates the middleman and adds levels of accountability for all parties involved in a way not possible with traditional agreements – saving businesses time and money while ensuring compliance from everyone involved.

The Agora Group have enjoyed over ten years of success with The Global Blockchain Congress, the most prominent Blockchain event in the MENA region, which aims to significantly contribute to the advancement of blockchain technology in the world by providing a unique platform that connects regulators, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, government officials and disruptors in a cutting-edge conference agenda. The ten previous editions of the Global Blockchain Congress were a tremendous success, welcoming over 1,000 investors and over 250 blockchain startups and raising millions in funds for participating projects.

The inaugural Qatar Blockchain Summit is an exclusive, closed-door, C-level business platform that showcases real-life applications of blockchain technologies, showcasing what's in it for enterprises and government and how blockchain can be used along with other disruptive technologies such as the Metaverse and Web 3, gaming, and DeFi and NFTs.

At the Qatar Blockchain Summit, blockchain solution providers will have the rare opportunity to hand-pick governmental and corporate suitors and have detailed discussions with them about potential collaborations. This platform will also allow critical stakeholders in Qatar to showcase their support for innovation and entrepreneurship and their contribution to placing Qatar as a hub for advanced technologies, startup funding and talent attraction.

Qatar Blockchain Summit 2023 takes place from 11 to 12 September 2023 at The St. Regis. This exclusive, closed-door event is only open to invited attendees, registered suppliers, and entrepreneurs. Registrations are now available for exhibitors. To request attendance or inquire about sponsorship, call +97433161144 for further details, email: Khaoula.achchaq@nextfairs.com , and visit www. qatarblockchainsummit.com