The First Conference of the Arab Economic Forum at the Stock Exchange

In collaboration with the Organization of Senior Managers in Companies, the first joint conference of the Arab Economic Forum and the Organization of Administrators took place on September 1, 2019, at the Stock Exchange Hall in Tel Aviv. The event ran from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and focused on the importance of ethnic diversity for economic development.

The agenda featured representatives from the Arab community, including businesspeople, professionals, and academics, who addressed senior officials in decision-making positions. Their discussions highlighted the critical role of ethnic diversity in driving economic growth.

The conference began with opening remarks by Professor Yossi Geros, Chairman of the Council of the Organization of Administrators in Israel, and Dr. Sami Miaari, a lecturer at Tel Aviv University and General Manager (founder) of the Arab Economic and Accounting Forum. Iris Shatarek, President of the Accountants’ Union in Israel, also contributed by delivering lectures on various topics, including:

1. The Stock Exchange as an Engine for Socio-Economic Development in the Arab Community
   Presented by Lior Navon, Sales Manager at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
2. The Responsibility of Administrators and Those in High Positions in the Business World: Strategies for Facing Crises
   Delivered by Attorney Gilad Katz from the law firm S. Horowitz & Co.
3. Challenges of Financial Risk Management in Israeli Society
   Presented by Professor Leonardo Leiderman, Economic Advisor at Bank Hapoalim.
4. The Experiences of Arab and Jewish Women in Administrative Positions
   Presented by Dr Maha Karkabi Sabbah, Director of the Research Department at the Arab Economic Forum.

Following these presentations, the conference featured a session titled “The Impact of Pluralism in Administrative Positions on Decision-Making Centers, Arab Society, and the Israeli Economy at Large.” This session was moderated by Lawyer Nafeh Sobrisky, co-director of the Forum of Administrators Promoting Change, and included a distinguished panel of participants:

• Issa Khoury, Businessman and Board Member of the Arab Economic Forum.
• Nabil Totari, Director of Guidance and Development Projects in the Arab Community.
• Iman Zoabi, Accountant and Member of the Nazareth branch of the Accountants’ Association.
• Attorney Mahdi Naamaneh, Legal Advisor for the Al-Mashdawi Group.
• Attorney Avigal Kastial, Partner and Manager of the Real Estate Department at the law firm S. Horowitz & Co.

The Arab Economic Forum is an independent, non-profit research center specializing in scientific and applied research on socio-economic issues and policies affecting the Palestinian Arab community in Israel. Its significance lies in its focus on studying economic and social challenges, alongside its ability to support decision-makers in crafting strategies to address the complex economic and social dilemmas faced by the Palestinian Arab community in Israel.