Dubai World to have strong presence at “World Economic Forum on the Middle East” summit in Egypt

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Dubai World, a holding company whose subsidiaries include DP World, Nakheel, Jafza and Istithmar, will head a high-level 12-member delegation from Dubai World at the “World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East” summit, which will be held from May 20-22, 2006, at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

The “World Economic Forum on the Middle East” will be attended by several heads of state, senior policy-makers and business leaders, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Held under the overall theme of “The Promise of a New Generation”, the “World Economic Forum on the Middle East” will focus on the economic and social challenges and opportunities facing the Arab world, and will address ways of meeting the needs and expectations of the next generation of young people who represent the future of the Middle East. Major topics of debate at the summit include the role of business as the engine of job creation in the Middle East and the need for regional leaders to work together for peace and stability. The sub-themes will cover the rule of law, peace, security and international relations, as well as issues of youth, culture and identity.

“WEF on the Middle East is the most important event of its kind for the Middle East region, and Dubai World’s participation at the summit is in keeping with our strategy of having a strong presence at all major global business and trade events,” said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem. “The debates held and the decisions arrived at during this summit will have major policy implications for the Arab world and could effectively chart the future economic course of the region.”

The Middle East is currently experiencing an oil-driven boom that has generated substantial liquidity for investment and driven equity and property prices to record highs. At the same time, global companies are emerging from the region in industries such as ITC, media, logistics and transport, and tourism, while international firms look to embrace new possibilities and engage in driving the economic growth in the region.

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.