Arab leaders gather in Riyadh at the opening of 'Kingdom Expansion Congress 2009'

The event's activities will start tomorrow evening (May 11) in Riyadh with the ceremony for the 'Arab City Mayor of the Year' Award which aims at recognizing the best Arab city mayor for his contribution to the development of the local community. Among the fourteen candidates, three Mayors of major cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been nominated.

The event will gather key government bodies, ministries, urban planning and development authorities, leading infrastructure developers, construction companies, architectural firms, building material manufacturers and suppliers and technology providers from all over the world.

Commenting on this occasion, Prachi Dawar, Event Project Director, naseba said:

"We have gathered all our efforts in order to organize an event that would elevate the interactions and communications between key players in the regional economy, and we are expecting a huge success for 'Kingdom Expansion Congress 2009'. All eyes will be on the prestigious awards ceremony that will honor the 'Arab City Mayor of the Year' as well as leaders in the public and private sector in different categories. We wish all the finalists best of luck."

naseba has also revealed that the 'Kingdom Expansion Congress 2009', which will run till May 13th at Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh, will discuss diverse aspects of infrastructure expansion and development, mainly focusing on sustainable cities, strengthening public private partnership, effective project management, green buildings and innovative build IT solutions, real estate development in the current times, the importance of maintenance and operations and the need for facilities management in the region.

The Congress will also feature an exclusive panel discussion on May 12th with the Mayors of the City of Riyadh, the Holy City of Makkah, the City of Jeddah and the Former Mayor of the City of Riyadh, who will discuss how public-private partnerships can significantly contribute to economic development.

Speakers at the conference include: His Highness Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Mohammed Bin Ayyaf, Mayor of the City of Riyadh; His Excellency Dr. Usama Al Bar, Mayor of the Holy City of Makkah; His Excellency Adel Al Fakieh, Mayor of the City of Jeddah; Eng. Mohammed Nagadi, Deputy Minister of Municipality and Rural Affairs; Abdullah Al Mogabel, Deputy Minister for Roads, Ministry of Transport, Saudi Arabia; H.E. Abdullah Ali Al Nuaim, Former Mayor, City of Riyadh and President of Arab Urban Development Institute; Omar Al Madhi, Vice President for Economic cities and energy sector, SAGIA; Dr Mustafa Madbouli, Chairman of General Organisation of physical planning, Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development, Egypt; Abdul Aziz Al Duailej, CEO, Al Oula Development; Essam Al Kalthoum, CEO, Al Shamiyah Urban Development Co.; Mohammed S. Al Khalil, CEO, Akwaan Properties; Eng Waleed Al Eisa, Head of Project, King Abdullah Financial District; Dr. Adel Al Dosary, Chairman - City and Regional Planning, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals; Mohammed Hammad, Head for central and eastern projects, Saudi Aramco and Vice President of Project Management Institute - Arabian Gulf Chapter, and Dr.Imad Al Jamal, Vice Chairman, UAE Association of Contractors.