UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade discusses UAE's economic success at Crans Montana Forum in Sarajevo

The MoFT's participation in the Crans Montana Forum is part of the UAE's ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with European countries and open new corridors for trade and cultural exchange.

Mrs. Halla Lootah joined experts from different countries in the Forum's interactive debate session that tackled the theme: "Business and financial synergies with GCC are at the top of the world agenda: Prospects for South Eastern Europe?" The MoFT delegate likewise discussed at the Forum the success story of the UAE and the country's ongoing efforts to sustain its unprecedented economic progress.

"The Ministry of Foreign Trade has been actively building and strengthening ties with the international community as part of the UAE's overall development strategy. Our participation in the Crans Montana Forum in Sarajevo opened another exciting chapter in our ongoing efforts to boost foreign trade and consolidate the UAE's reputation as a progressive and forward-thinking country. The Forum itself offered a wealth of networking, growth and investment opportunities particularly in the areas of energy, infrastructure, technology and tourism."

said Mrs. Halla Lootah, Director of MoFT's Government Communications Relations Department.

The organisers also invited MoFT in the round table discussions that focused on "How to improve the cooperation between South Eastern Europe and the Middle East" and "How Sarajevo is received by the GCC countries."

Mrs. Halla Lootah's topics at the discussions included the strengths and emerging opportunities within the UAE economy, the UAE's growing foreign direct investments (FDI), the UAE's efforts to attract more international businesses, and the country's policies in bilateral relations and the different ways to boost such partnerships.

Crans Montana Forum is a Swiss-owned and managed organisation, which for over 23 years has been a unique and prestigious platform for top-level decision makers from the world's public and private sectors to get acquainted and share information and experience in order to implement their projects and strategies.

The 2008 edition was another resounding success with business leaders, government executives and representatives from international organisations in Europe and the rest of the world in attendance.

The UAE was specially invited by the Bosnia & Herzegovina Government as part of efforts to secure support from GCC countries in terms of promoting socioeconomic development and cultivating regional stability.

Bosnia & Herzegovina along with its neighbours Albania and Kosovo is also a predominantly Muslim state, which presents another area of common interest that helps strengthen its ties with the UAE and the GCC.