Bahraini banker co-chairs Crans Montana Forum 19th Annual Session in Monaco

The event, which took place from June 26 - 29, June 2008 and served as a prelude to the 20th Crans Montana Forum—which will take place in the Royal Palace of Egmont in Brussels (Belgium) in June 2009—has drawn over 700 participants including numerous Businesses, key Prime Ministers, Ministers and International Organisations.

Mr. Al-Khajah co-chaired the plenary session with Ms. Reem Al-Hashimy, Minister of State, UAE, and covered the following topics in the Session: Investing Abroad: The Gulf States are the leading public and private investors and developers of the Southern Mediterranean; International Cooperation: The Gulf States are implementing a large scale South-South cooperation with Africa; Implementing Partnerships: The Gulf States, new partners of Africa for developing and exploiting natural resources; and Opening up to the East: The Gulf States are opening up to the new economies of Central and Eastern Europe.

The session concluded that the GCC is playing a significant role in International economic cooperation, which is translated in substantial long term investments and growing economic relations in various sectors.

Furthermore, the GCC is developing strategic International economic relations with various developed and developing countries, as emerging markets attract special attention from GCC investors.

Session panellists included Mrs. Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou - MEP, First Vice President, European Parliament; Mr Usamah M Al-Kurdi, Member of Shura Council, Saudi Arabia; Mr. Peter Jurgen, Co-Chairman, Economic and Social Policy Committee, European People's Party; Mrs. Rola Dashti, Chairman, Kuwait Economic Society, Kuwait; Mrs. Reem Badran, Board Member, Kuwait Finance House, Jordan; Mr. Yazid Sabeg - Chairman, CS Communication & Systems, France; Mr. Vijay Poonoosamy, Vice President, International Affairs, Etihad.

Airways, UAE; and Mr. Salim Al Awadi, Director, Transgulf Investment Holding, Oman.

Mr. Al Khajah has over 21 years of experience in banking, finance, investment, industries and project development.

He began his career with Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) before joining Gulf Powerbeat Company as a Financial Controller.

Subsequently, he diversified his career by joining Bahrain Development Bank as the Head of Business Development and Project Finance, and then he joined KFH-Bahrain as head of project development.

Mr. Al Khajah serves as chairman and Executive director several prestigious companies including Meena towers Company; KFH Industrial Oasis, National Institute for Industrial Training, Al Kindi Pharmaceutical Industries Co, Baytik Industrial Investment Co. Mr. Al Khajah is also managing the development of several initiatives and projects such as the revolutionary Bahrain Science & Technology Park, and some other special infrastructure projects.