The fifth annual human resources management conference (Summit2013) today opened in Bahrain. Minister of State for Electricity and Water Affairs Dr. Abdulhussain bin Ali Mirza patronized the opening ceremony. Addressing the event, he stressed Bahrain’s longstanding drive to empower and hone competent leaders in the sectors of human resources development and training. He underscored the importance of the conference which convenes amid volatile global economic conditions and slowing stagnant growth rates. “These global and regional factors have left their toll on the labour market, causing deep concerns among the workforce”, he said. He pointed out shifting regional economies as the business sector faces new facts, hence the need to innovate and explore other trends. He underlined the shifting global trends in the management and development of human resources, which revolutionized corporate and institutional thinking. The minister paid tribute to the organisers and keynote speakers, commending the efforts of ROSHCOMM, the consultancy firm which was commissioned to coordinate the summit.