The event is designed to enhance the influx of investors in the emirate by providing a dedicated platform that showcases Ras Al-Khaimah’s strategic advantages as an investment haven before an audience of global business and government leaders, the organizers told a press conference on Saturday.

Ras Al-Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) is co-hosting the event with the Department of Economic Development, while the event is being organized by Horasis, an international organization committed to enacting visions for a sustainable future.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasimi, Jordan’s Finance Minister Mohamed Abu-Hammour, Pakistan’s senior Minister of Commerce Makhdoom Amin Faheem, and India’s federal Minister of Urban Development Kamal Nath, have confirmed their participation, according to Frank-Jurgen Richter, chairman of Horasis.

Sanjiv Ahuja, chairman, LightSquare, USA; Ahmed Al Khateeb, CEO of Jadwa Investment, Saudi Arabia; Sheikh Saif Al Maskery, chairperson, Nawaras Oman; Akil Beshir, chairman, Telecom Egypt; Samir Brikho, CEO of Amec, the UK, are some other  prominent private sector personalities to attend the event.

“Last year’s event helped us to attract a number of investors from Saudi Arabia, India and different parts of European countries”, Alex Thomas, general manager-marketing & promotions at RAKIA told Arab News on the sidelines of the press conference.

“This is a very timely initiative as it complements the growing influx of international investments towards the Arab world, capitalizing on the region’s huge market potential and strategic location,” Thomas added.

Last year, RAKIA achieved 27 percent increase in the number of licenses compared to 2009 and expects to surpass this number by the end of this year. The licenses were issued to consulting/service companies, trading/general trading businesses, commercial companies, industrial firms and media businesses.

The Global Arab Business Meeting will also announce the 2011 Arab Business Leaders of the Year, celebrating outstanding entrepreneurs who have been building and leading successful global firms of Arab origin. The event will have keynote speakers discussing critical issues affecting economic growth in the region.

“The Global Arab Business Meeting is a key platform that will help define the growth agenda of leading Arab businesses and put a spotlight on the new possibilities and exciting opportunities that are now available across the Arab world, said Richter.