(MENAFN - Arab News) Several prominent figures, including political and business leaders as well as economic experts from within the Kingdom and abroad, will address the 12th edition of Jeddah Economic Forum, slated for March 3-6. The organizing committee has completed all the arrangements and preparations to make the event themed "Beyond Borders: Building Tomorrow's Economies Today" a success.
Saleh Kamel, chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is organizing the event, will formally announce the programs and schedule of this year's forum to the media on Tuesday.
Speaking to Arab News, Saleh Kamel said that there would be a greater emphasis on issues concerning the Kingdom's economy during the forum especially in the wake of the potential economic challenges being faced by countries in the region and the world. "There will be nine sessions at the three-day event that will focus on the recurring global economic crisis and its impact on economies, including Saudi Arabia and other GCC states, and the need for greater connectivity to achieve a sustainable economic growth," he said while noting that every strata of an economy today looks beyond its own borders as to how it will achieve future economic prosperity.
Lama Al-Suleiman, chamber's deputy chairman and supervisor of the forum's organizing committee, said that the first day of the forum with a theme "Beyond Borders" will have three sessions namely "Beyond BRICs: Seeking economic growth in an era of debt", "Building blocs: A global re-focus on models of regional cooperation", and "GCC consolidation: Analyzing the economics of greater GCC integration." These sessions will examine how greater connectivity in today's world has been both actual and digital, connecting cities with cities, countries with countries and regions with other regions. With greater economic interdependence, people and businesses should be able to do business easier and economies attract greater investment and create more value.
According to Lama, the second day's focus will be on "Regional Priorities," which will examine how the Middle East dominated global media headlines as the region was swept by political turmoil. The wind of change swept across borders, leaving no country in the region unaffected, be they neighbors near or afar. One imperative did become clear in that the need to build the economies of tomorrow - the economies of today's youth and the generations to come - requires an immediate focus on three priorities - the 3Es of education, employment and entrepreneurship.
The theme for the concluding day is "Arabian Future," which will focus on Saudi Arabia's vision to build the economy and society of tomorrow, bringing prosperity and stability for generations to come. Three opportunities for advancing this vision are found in sessions including "Brand Arabia: Globalizing regional value creation," "Arabian philanthropy: Enhancing the art of 'giving back' to society" and "Arabian generation: Harnessing the positive impact of social networking by youth."
