RIYADH, 17 July — The World Bank has invited Saudi academicians to participate in a videoconference on the future of the Kingdom’s economy next Monday.
The interactive discussions at the World Bank office in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter will be held in the run-up to an international symposium, which the Ministry of Planning is organizing here from Oct. 20 to 24.
Dr. Prajapati Trivedi, acting resident representative of the World Bank and resident economist, told Arab News that the October symposium on “Future vision for Saudi economy — 2020”, would focus on four main areas of discussions: human development, economic diversification, public-private partnerships and new drivers for the economy. The last topic will deal with subjects like information and communications technology, e-commerce, etc.
He said more than 25 plenary and working group sessions would be organized around those themes. The objective of the symposium is to provide up-to-date information on new socio-economic trends and issues in the Kingdom and the global economy.
The participants will also review “best practice” policy initiatives in the Kingdom and globally, identify and review economic policy options and strategies available to Saudi Arabia, and agree on recommended long-term vision and the overall economy. A total of 800 delegates are expected to attend the symposium.
Besides 20 international and 16 academicians and government representatives from the Kingdom, Trivedi said, there would be another 50-60 businessmen who have been invited by the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Several prominent Saudi academicians would take part in the teleconference. “It will be a brainstorming session with select fellow academicians at 4 p.m. on Monday to discuss the evolving visions for the four individual themes and for the economy as a whole,” Trivedi said.
He pointed out that in addition to the participants from Riyadh, some of the international authors were expected to join the discussions from Washington. This could provide valuable input for the October symposium, he noted. Interested academicians may contact Trivedi on phone 4834956 or on e-mail [email protected].
Trivedi said the World Bank’s teleconferences had become highly popular with Saudi government organizations. He said among many such events, the one on gifted children drew an enthusiastic response. The Riyadh participants were able to interact with Professor Joseph Renzulli, head of the Gifted Children’s Program in the University of Connecticut.
The World Bank, he pointed out, is also collaborating with the Institute of Public Administration in setting up a Global Distance Learning Network. Through the GDLN program, participants in the Arab world would be able to share their experience and expertise on various aspects of macroeconomic issues in an interactive environment, Trivedi added.
