World Economic Forum Young Global Leader 2007 to address City of London and Gulf States conference

Recognised as Young Global Leader 2007 by the World Economic Forum, His Highness will talk about "Leadership, Vision, and High Risk Investment" at the Conference, drawing on his experience as founder of A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and Executive Chairman of Dubai International Holding Company, where he manages a substantial portfolio of assets and new business ventures.

The Conference aims to help develop long term strategic relationships between the regional financial centres in the Gulf and the City of London, the world's leading financial centre and follows the highly successful inaugural event in June 2006.

Sheikh Maktoum commented on his involvement at the Conference:

"We are seeing a world getting smaller and smaller and more interconnected, and as rising centres of commerce come together in cooperation with their mature predecessors, opportunity blooms. There are good prospects for the GCC developing exciting partnerships with the City of London, and I am delighted to have been asked to deliver an address at the Conference."

The Conference comes at a time of unparalleled growth in the Gulf States and the development of regional financial centres throughout the Gulf to manage and invest high levels of liquidity. Amongst the issues to be debated in interactive panel discussions will be the differences between the various Gulf financial centres and the management of investor confidence in a fast changing and volatile environment.

The Conference is supported by the City of London Corporation, with Lord Mayor of the City of London, John Stuttard, making the opening speech. The event is being organised by the Middle East Association (MEA) in partnership with Compass Rose International.

The MEA has promoted trade between the UK, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey for over 40 years and represents leading British and International companies estimated to be responsible for about 70% of trade between the UK and the region.

Lord Mayor of the City of London John Stuttard said:

"The new global world means we have to have even greater and deeper links with important centres such as the Gulf. The involvement of His Highness further underlines the importance of this conference."

The MEA and Compass Rose International have formed an exciting strategic partnership, bringing the benefits of their combined expertise to delegates, governments and sponsors through a range of events focussing on sustainable development across the Middle East and North Africa.