JEDDAH, 28 February 2007 — As the Eighth Jeddah Economic Forum came to close yesterday, some participants are wondering if the words of the forum are speaking louder than the actions.
“Will the suggestions you talk about in these sessions ever see the light of day?” one Saudi businessman wondered aloud during the last panel discussion titled “Moving Forward,” which summed up the topics of the forum and addressed how policies would be implemented in the future. The business executive, who is a general manager of Al-Kabli Co. but didn’t want his name published, said that he feels that the issues and concerns expressed at the JEF have not been tackled on the ground. “There are major issues concerning our economy that have not been tackled thoroughly.”
Outside of the JEF, business on the street continued. One young Saudi businessman, Naif Al-Mansour, scoffed at the idea of participating in a forum where tickets cost $1,050 “merely to play a role as a secondary actor filling a chair and doing nothing.”
“I have my business to run and have no time to waste promoting privileged businessmen,” said Al-Mansour.
When asked about this view from a worker of a small business on the Saudi Street, JEF Chairman Sami Bahrawi rattled off the guest speakers of the forum and the praise they gave to the event. He said the implementation of the ideas is another matter.
“The execution is left to you,” he said. “You must decide what to do now.”
Saudi businessman Muhammad Ikhwan, who participated in the last forum, said this year saw more audience participation than ever before. “This forum is not a political committee to plan the economy of the country,” he said.
Many questions from the audience revolved on the crucial role that education helps in shaping the future of the country.
Effat College Dean Haifa Jamal Al-Lail suggested establishing an umbrella body to bridge the education system with the private sector.
The issue of the high cost of private schooling, widely considered better than public education, was raised. One of the participants, former Ambassador Saeed Al-Ghamdi, suggested government support of private school in order to lower the costs.
