First Gulf Investment Forum explores Gulf Common Market

They also illustrated the different experiences of the speakers at the Forum, they added. This variety, they said, will directly contribute to achieving the desired goals of the forum, which is the first of its kind after the establishment of the Gulf Common Market at the beginning of 2008.

FGIF, which will be held in Dubai from March 3 to 4 at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel with the participation of the GCC and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FGCCC), under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry, is organized by Etisal Event Management, Dubai.

FGIF includes eight working sessions and 32 work papers identified by the forum's special scientific committee. The sessions are: "The Investment Climate in the Gulf Region: Potential and Opportunities", "Investment and Monopolization in Media... Results and Solutions" , "Investment in Education, Training and the Role and Effect of both the Government and Private Sectors", "Real Estate Investment in GCC States :Opportunities and Future Horizons", "Gulf and Foreign Banks and Companies working between Competition and Perfection ", "Gulf Tourism ...Opinions in Tourism Investment: Thesis and Solutions," "Women's Investments in Gulf and its Inclinations," and "The Future of the Investments in Gulf and its Presence in Arab and Foreign Countries according to the new Economic Climate."

Amlak Finance, a leader company in offering medium to long-term financing solutions for residential and commercial properties in the UAE, participates in the FGIF as main sponsor, and company chairman H.E. Mr. Nasser Al Shaikh, will talk on the investment opportunities in the Gulf during FGIF first session.

According to a recent report from the Gulf Market, the income of GCC States from fuel export at $70 for each barrel will be $6.2 trillion in the coming fourteen years which equals triple the income they received in the last fourteen years. This rise in prices is the result of the increase in demand from China and other countries, and also global economic, developmental and political problems.

Dr. Khalid Al Mehairi, Managing Partner and Attorney at law of Emirates Advocate and Legal Consultants will speak during FGIF about the systems and laws in owning real estate and the obstacles in investment development. He will also discuss the benefits of the new real estate law in Dubai that gives the foreign investor the right of ownership in the Emirates.

Mrs. Nada Jaber, Managing Director of Etisal Event Management, the event organizer, said that speakers at the forum have eight topics which will produce an outline for investments in the Gulf after the introduction of the Common Gulf Market. This will create new horizons for investments in the GCC countries and increase trade in between the GCC states, she added.

Mrs. Jaber clarified that the great response that the forum has received from business men and women is an indication of the relevance of the topics discussed in the forum and nature of investment in the Gulf. She said that the forum presents an opportunity for the attendees to interact with decision makers and view the latest offerings and products of Gulf companies through the two-day exhibition that accompanies the forum.

The diversity of the work papers indicate the emphasis of Etisal's policy with its partners to design accurate work plans that meet the needs of the region and help draw broad outlines for joint targets of GCC countries, she added.