The Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (Goic) has underscored the role of the private sector in supporting global humanitarian services during the ‘7th Bosphorus Summit’ organised recently by the International Cooperation Platform in Istanbul. 
Speaking at the event, Goic secretary-general Abdulaziz bin Hamad al-Ageel said small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are main global employers and “key economic players,” and form 90% of private sector companies worldwide.
“Their role in relief efforts and humanitarian activities has been disregarded in the past, but the future looks very promising,” al-Ageel emphasised.
He said the regional and global industrial private sector should support many business initiatives in the humanitarian field and initiatives of industrial SMEs to promote sustainable relief efforts and boost socio-economic development. 
“In this regard, SMEs can benefit from the numerous industrial investment opportunities offered by Goic,” he said. 
Al-Ageel said there is a need to establish new partnerships between the private sector, government institutions, and civil society organisations to prepare communities during disasters and shocks. 
“The industrial private sector supports relief efforts and humanitarian activities in the industrial sector. Therefore, policy-makers need to understand the new features and characteristics of manufacturing on the one hand, and commit to the new partnership principles preparing countries in the region to better deal with shocks and choose innovative financing mechanisms to face crises on the other hand,” al-Ageel explained.
Citing Goic as a “key catalyst” of economic and industrial development and public-private cooperation and partnership, al-Ageel said Goic also helps boost the strategic and comprehensive business participation of the private sector in the support of humanitarian work to strengthen societies.
“Private sector’s role in humanitarian activities increased steadily in the last decade. Still, its role is expected to be even bigger through new partnerships with local and international organisations to invest in prevention and mitigation of risks, hence improving countries’ readiness to face shocks by better risk analysis, contingency planning, and social security plans,” he said. Al-Ageel also commended Turkey for hosting the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), which carried the theme ‘A Turning Point for Humanitarian Action’. The event, which was held in May in Istanbul, was organised in collaboration with the UN. 
“Indeed, the WHS succeeded in mobilising governments and stakeholders in the area of humanitarian activities and development to agree on a new modus operandi by investing in resilient communities and stable societies,” al-Ageel said.
On the sidelines of the summit, al-Ageel received a trophy from Arshad Hormozlo, the Turkish president’s Senior Councilor for Middle Eastern Affairs and the head of the executive committee. Rest assured that being a team player in the business desk is always on top of my priorities list. I am very thankful for their patience, guidance and support.




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