UAE- Unity, prosperity being eyed at 9th World Islamic Forum

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Dubai is setting the stage for the 9th World Islamic Economic Forum, or WIEF, that would be a great opportunity to build bridges towards peace and prosperity between the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds. Entitled "Changing World, New Relationships", the forum, which will be held from October 29 to 31 at ExCel London in the United Kingdom, is the first time the event will meet outside the Muslim world. The forum has previously been held in Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Kuwait and Pakistan. The forum will package the Muslim world as a lucrative trade and investment caucus that is able to attract foreign investors and business partners from various countries worldwide. The meeting will also enable networking and foster strategic alliances through the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge. Tun Musa Hitam, the former deputy prime minister of Malaysia and now chairman of the WIEF, outlined the role of the WIEF within the wider Islamic finance community at an exclusive event held in Dubai ahead of the conference. "The... forum will be a great opportunity to build bridges towards peace and prosperity between the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds through the common language of business. The WIEF will showcase the very best that the Islamic world has to offer as a lucrative trade and investment hub." The forum has run since 2004 and has been a strong advocate of Islamic finance in both Muslim and non-Muslim communities around the world, with Dubai an increasingly influential driver of Islamic trade and developing Islamic economy. As part of the delegation, Ashruff Jamall, Global Islamic Finance leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dubai, said: "Demand for Islamic finance is expected to grow rapidly and more than double in the next four years. Strategically, Dubai is very well-placed to capitalise on the huge growth opportunities this creates, and maintain its pioneering status, not just in Islamic finance but in other industries such as tourism, leisure and food. The forum will be an excellent opportunity for key players to build relationships and share best practice." With the UAE playing a significant role in Islamic economic principles and global businesses seeking high level of interest from Muslim and non-Muslim delegates, the ninth forum sets the stage in Dubai ahead of the main conference. The core objective of the forum is to enhance the economic well-being of the people of Muslim nations and Muslim communities worldwide through increasing trade and business opportunities among them, as well as the world at large. Approximately 1,500 government leaders, captains of industries, academic scholars, regional experts, professionals and corporate managers from 100 countries will come together at the forum to boost trade partnerships between Islamic and European markets. Islamic finance will be an issue of special interest at the ninth WIEF given London's aspirations of becoming a global hub for this industry. Other key areas that will be covered at the forum include "Women in the Corporate World", "Promoting Transnational Education" and "Developing Global Connectivity through Digital Technology", among others.