New Chairman sets forward-looking vision for Jeddah Economic Forum

The Forum's new Chairman Sami Fouad Bahrawi has pre-viewed his plans to reshape the annual event and give it a sharper focus. It will concentrate on a narrower range of topics - designed to demonstrate Economic Development in the Kingdom and to attract more Foreign Investment.

"The Jeddah Economic Forum is the premiere and cutting-edge annual event that has steadily grown in size and status," said Bahrawi. "It is my privilege to build on the success of previous years, but it is also time to implement some important changes that will refocus the Forum's agenda. JEF 2007 will be more incisive in tackling the main issues we face in Saudi Arabia today. We shall also take a more pro-active stance by proposing resolutions that can be positively adopted in the Kingdom."

Under the patronage of HRH Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Mecca Region, Bahrawi will retain the Jeddah Economic Forum's established corporate policy but envisages a new look to the event. He went on, "We will move forward in 2007 to enhance the Forum's position as a platform for discussion of economic issues - but at the same time we will return to one of JEF's original aims by giving attention to global matters that concern the whole Region. JEF 2007 will showcase the city of Jeddah and the Kingdom as a whole to the world."

Around the theme: "Economic Reform: Flourishing Grounds and Expanding Horizons", Bahrawi said that the 2007 Forum will bring to light the latest trends in business and world economy. It brings top level National and International Visitors and Speakers together in constructive dialog with local business men and women. By highlighting "best practices" from around the globe on current issues facing Jeddah and Saudi Arabia, the Forum will benchmark Kingdom developments and offer new ideas and opportunities to attract investment to the Country.

Sami Fouad Bahrawi is the General Manager of the Bahrawi Trading Company and a Board Member of a number of other companies. He is a graduate in Business Administration from King Abdulaziz University and holds an MBA from George Washington University, USA. Bahrawi was elected a Board Member of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2005.

Organized by Jeddah Marketing Board, a department of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Jeddah Economic Forum is now seen as the most prestigious annual international event in the Middle East. It is expected to attract more than 2000 delegates from around the world and will feature distinguished global leaders as speakers.