JEDDAH, 16 January — The stage is set for the 2002 Jeddah Economic Forum that will open at the Hilton Hotel here on Saturday. Former US President Bill Clinton is scheduled to address the three-day forum, which will examine many of the issues raised for global businesses and their employees following the Sept. 11 attacks on the US, according to an announcement at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday.
"Managing in a complex global environment" is the theme of the forum that is now recognized as the premier event in the Middle East business calendar.
Organized by the Jeddah Marketing Board (JMB), the forum will have a galaxy of speakers and participants. "This year’s event has a rich and diverse range of speakers representing a very broad range of the world’s commercial perspectives," JMB Chairman Amr Dabbagh said.
"They will examine many of the issues raised for global businesses and their employees around the world in the aftermath of the terrible events of Sept. 11. They will discuss the implications for corporate leaders who need to address the challenges of cross cultural operations, conflict prevention, and the development of greater understanding and tolerance between people of different cultures and religions.
"Delegates can expect incisive presentations followed by lively panel discussions and debates. The forum has captured the attention of international and local businessmen and continues to grow in importance and stature."
The forum will be the largest to date, said Dabbagh. Due to the great success of last year’s forum, sponsors have block-booked tickets for distribution among the most influential businessmen and women in the region, he added.
Among the participants will be Bahraini Crown Prince Salman ibn Hamad Al-Khalifa, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal, ChevronTexaco Chairman David O’Reilly, Occidental Petroleum Chairman Dr. Ray Irani, Hill & Knowlton Group Chairman Howard Paster, Carlyle Group Chairman David Rubenstein, and Neil Bush, chairman & CEO of Ignite! and brother of US President George Bush.
The JMB has also invited selected Saudi government and business leaders including Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Tourism; Prince Abdullah ibn Faisal ibn Turki, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, Commerce Minister Osama Fakeeh, Haj Minister Iyad Madani, Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Naimi, and Minister of Industry and Electricity Hashim Abdullah Yamani.
The highly successful 2001 forum, held last January, saw former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and former French President Valery Giscard D’Estaing as keynote speakers. The discussions that centered on "Wealth creation in a knowledge-based society." Keynote speakers in previous forums included former British Prime Minister John Major and former US President George Bush.
JEF details can be obtained by visiting the Jeddah Marketing Board website at www.jeddahmarketing.com
