RIYADH, 30 May 2003 — Preparations are in full swing for the launch of the Riyadh Economic Forum (REF) on Oct. 12 this year. Its main objective will be to promote sustainable economic growth through the optimal use of the Kingdom’s resources.
Dr. Abdulaziz Jazzar, chairman of the preparatory committee for the REF, told Arab News that today’s preparatory meeting at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed the agenda for the inaugural session of the Forum, to be held at the Riyadh Exhibition Center.
He said 11 papers grouped into four broad themes would be discussed. The input for these working papers and the proposed solutions would come from consultants and economic experts who attended yesterday’s preliminary session.
“Preparations for the Riyadh Economic Forum have been going on for the last two years. Many committees and sub-committees have been set up. So a lot of effort has gone into the organization of the REF,” said Dr. Jazzar, who is also the managing director of Saudi Research and Publishing Co., whose publications include Arab News and Asharq Al-Awsat among others.
Dr. Jazzar said subjects included the government’s regulatory policy; human resources development; the scope for enlarging the contribution of the private sector to the national economy; and infrastructure development, particularly gas, transportation, electricity and industrialization.
These four dimensions were identified by the first workshop of the Forum in Jubail and subsequently worked on by a panel of experts in Riyadh.
Dr. Jazzar also said the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry planned a section to cater to the needs of Saudi businesswomen within the framework of Islamic Shariah and social regulations. He said the idea was to provide a forum for Saudi businesswomen and help them articulate their concerns.
Nada Al-Fayez, a member of the Saudi Economic Society, said the proposed branch of the RCCI would help Saudi businesswomen to identify business opportunities so that they could participate effectively in the national economy. Currently, cumulative savings, estimated at SR62 billion are lying idle in the Kingdom’s banks.
Nada said the women’s branch at the RCCI would also help in providing job opportunities for them. She pointed out the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has no women represented in it. There should be a section for women to guide them in their business activities. Also, the private sector should play a more active role in mobilizing the potential of women.
