Speaking to Arab News, some of the young participants said they were attending the forum with the hope of widening their knowledge.

Muhammad Abdul Hameed Bukhari, vice president of Al-Zakir International, a company specialized in shipping with extensive relations with foreign companies, said his firm aimed to forge fresh links with foreign delegations at the forum.

Hasan Ali Hasan, executive vice-president of Nagor International, said JEF opens a window to the global community and provides a rare opportunity to meet with many decision-makers from different parts of the world.

Abdullah Al-Amoudi, an economic researcher and post-graduate student in management studies, who was attending the forum for the first time, said he hoped to enrich his knowledge by communicating with a number of local, regional and international businessmen.

He said the forum offered a platform for innovative ideas that could promote global growth.