Cleantech Group accelerates cleantech innovation with inaugural Arab Region assembly

Advisory board and major investors meet in Abu Dhabi to strengthen relationships and growth of cleantech sector

JORDAN, 22 June 2009 – The Cleantech Group, LLC, founders of the cleantech investment category, announced today that its first assembly of its Arab Region network advisory board, joined by key regional clean technology investors, is underway at the Beach Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Sponsored by Al-Rayan Investment, this initial gathering of industry figureheads represents a significant step forward for the cleantech sector in the Middle East and will help to create insight and foster relationships to accelerate innovation across the region.

The assembly will consider the current state of cleantech investment in the Arab Region and will debate the policy frameworks that need to be put in place in order for the cleantech industry to thrive. Discussions will also focus on how governments, investors and innovators, both within the region and on a global scale, should work together in order to promote the development of sustainable solutions. Keynote speakers at the event include representatives from the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Al-Rayan Investment and Sekem Group.

“This inaugural assembly is vital to help drive cleantech investment in the Arab world and aid the understanding and development of policy in the region,” said Cleantech Group Arab Region Managing Director Darin Rovere. “Whilst the worldwide economic crisis has made investment harder to come by, viable opportunities can be found for sound clean technology innovations that extend the life of natural resources, an issue that is so vital in the Middle East.”

The event aims to demonstrate the potential for the Arab Region to emerge as a key center for cleantech innovation. With growing demand for energy and environmental services and with governments in the region actively assessing clean energy strategies as an alternative to the use of oil, the region is well placed to be a catalyst for new technologies and industries.

About the Cleantech Group, LLC
The Cleantech Group pioneered the clean technology investment category in 2002. Today, it accelerates the development and market adoption of clean technologies globally. The company’s worldwide network of investors, entrepreneurs, enterprises, service providers and others—representing trillions of dollars in assets—receives access to capital, investment deal flow, networking, market leading research and data, sales leads and promotional opportunities. The Cleantech Group also provides advisory services for large corporations and governments, publishes leading cleantech sector industry news coverage and produces the premier Cleantech Forum® events worldwide. Details are available at http://www.cleantech.com.

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