Dubai 2003 Steering Committee holds fifth meeting

Sheikh Hamdan reviewed a follow-up report presented by Qassim Sultan, Head of the Organising Committee, and the report from Ibrahim Belselah, General Co-ordinator of Dubai 2003, about the progress of work by the different committees and the Conference Secretariat.

Sheikh Hamdan instructed the officials to speed up the organisational procedures of the conference as well as the construction activities and provide all the requirements for making the conference a success. The officials were also urged to coordinate with the IMF and World Bank Group Secretariat with regard to the administrative staff required for running the conference activities well in advance of the conference which will be held in September 2003.

He also underlined the support of companies and establishments for the conference, with the objective of highlighting the country's economic, tourist and cultural positions and trying to project the heritage and traditions of the country as well as the progress it achieved. Moreover, it should reflect the genuine Arab hospitality the UAE is proud of.

Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the plans for issuing coins and postal stamps to mark the conference.

The committee also discussed the progress of work at the Dubai International Convention Centre as Eng. Matar Al Tayer, Head of the Venue and Facilities Committee, shed light on the different phases of work which includes the main conference hall, main block, car parking, office block and tower, meeting hall, and the road works around the convention centre. He said some modifications would be made to the existing roads in order to ensure a smooth traffic flow in the roads leading to the centre.

The General Coordinator of the Conference submitted a report on the Washington visit and expressed satisfaction over its success in highlighting the ongoing preparations of Dubai 2003 and promotion of the UAE during the meetings, in addition to an exhibition as well as the promotional and media programmes conducted by the delegation in the US Capital, in addition to some other countries such as Japan and South
Africa under the title: "Dubai - the new meeting point of the global economy."

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