JEDDAH, 19 February 2005 — The prestigious Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) opens at the Hilton this morning for a daylong session, followed by the formal inauguration by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed at night.

Some of the world’s most important leaders, government officials, prominent businessmen, financiers, economic strategists, academics and other influential figures are here for the 6th annual event whose theme is “Capacity building: Developing people for sustainable growth.”

The three-day 2005 JEF is set to attract more than 2,000 delegates from within and outside the Kingdom. “The forum will discuss national, regional and international economic issues and highlight the achievements of countries that have pursued strategies for human resource development as a prerequisite for sustainable growth,” 2005 JEF Chairman Amr Enany said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, one of the keynote speakers at the JEF 2005, arrived here yesterday evening. He is accompanied by Housing Minister Syed Safwanullah, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Population Welfare Minister Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain, Science and Technology Minister Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor, and other top officials.

He is scheduled to deliver his keynote address on “Transforming a nation: Early challenges, obstacles and successes,” with Mohammed Ahmed Alireza, former member of the Shoura Council and chairman of Xenel Industries as moderator.

Other prominent international figures including the presidents of Nigeria, Afghanistan and Senegal and the prime minister of Malaysia will also address the forum, which will have dedicated sessions for women and youth. The forum opens at 9 a.m. with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo as keynote speaker and Dr. Fahad Al-Mubarak, member of the Shoura Council, as moderator. “Capacity building in action” is the theme of the speech by Obasanjo.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai will deliver his keynote address on “Rebirth of a nation: Motivating a broken soul,” with Dr. Saud S. Al-Mathami, minister of state and member of the Council for Shoura Affairs, as moderator.

This will be followed by presentations by Madinah Governor Prince Muqrin and Minister of Commerce and Industry Hashim A. Yamani, with Abdulaziz Kamel and Minister of State Abdullah Alireza respectively as moderators.

The day will also feature a student panel discussing issues under the title “Voices of the future,” with Effat College Dean Dr. Haifa Jamalallail and Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, president of Arabian Stores Co., as moderators. “The private sector: A vital driver of local government” is the subject of the next panel discussion in which Jeddah Mayor Abdullah Al-Moallami, Mohamed ibn Ali Alabbar, director general, department of development, Dubai and chairman, EMMAR Properties, Abdullah Al-Rehemi, director of Civil Aviation, and Nibras El-Fadel, economic adviser to the Syrian president, will take part. JCCI Vice Chairman Dr. Ghassna A. Al-Sulaiman, will be the moderator.

Capacity building for intra-investment among IDB member countries is the theme of a lecture by Pakistan’s Investment and Privatization Minister Dr. Abdul Hafiz Shaikh, with Islamic Development Bank President Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Ali as moderator. The day’s session will conclude with a panel discussion on “Sustaining growth in health care: Working with other industries” in which Jay D. Keasling, professor of chemical engineering and bioengineering, University of California, Dr. Floyd Loop, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Dr. Wael Kaawach, director on the board of International Medical Center, and Dr. Ghaleb D. Okla Faama of a US-based university, will participate, with Dr. Walid Fitahi, CEO of International Medical Center, as moderator.

Other distinguished speakers to figure during the next two days include Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Suzan Mubarak, the first lady of Egypt, Francesco Frangialli, secretary-general of World Tourism Organization, and Prashant Sahni, CEO of Tecnovate eSolutions.

A number of Saudi ministers and officials including Prince Turki Al-Faisal, ambassador to Britain, Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of Supreme Commission for Tourism, and Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi will also address the annual event.