MEED conference will unite public and private sectors to deliver Economic Vision 2030

The event will gather the emirate's key decision makers, government officials and leading industry figures and will address how the government and private sector can deliver the Economic Vision 2030.

They will provide a strategic insight into the long-term prospects of business organisations in Abu Dhabi. The event is considered to be the definitive business networking platform.

The Abu Dhabi Conference 2009 will examine the current and future economic outlook of Abu Dhabi through a series of panel sessions, presentations, armchair discussions, interactive debate and informal meetings, all designed to help business organisations develop their own, profitable future strategies.

To optimise the impact of the Conference, sessions have been designed to reflect the fundamental components of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which encapsulates the long-term plan for the transformation of the emirate's economy.

"In the wake of the global economic downturn, Abu Dhabi Conference 2009 has attracted strong interest from both new and repeat participants, who are all aiming to leverage the event's powerful networking platform to boost growth initiatives and maintain competitiveness. Early response to this year's Abu Dhabi Conference indicates that the private sector confidence in the long-term economic prospects of Abu Dhabi remains strong. The big question, however, is how will businesses position themselves to capitalise on new and emerging opportunities, particularly those related to over Dhs1.8 trillion in projects being undertaken all over the emirate. I am sure that we can find the relevant answers to this question at the Abu Dhabi Conference 2009,"

said Edmund O'Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events.

Additions to the strategic conference include are the two half-day "Masterclasses" examining "Scenario Planning for a Successful Abu Dhabi Business Venture" and "Understanding the New Regulations - A Complete Guide to Abu Dhabi Building Codes."

The "VIP Breakfast Meeting," for senior decision-makers and key governmental officials is an exclusive event for sharing ideas and making strategic decisions.

Topics for the 2009 edition of the Conference have been expanded and refocused to reflect the dramatic changes in the business environment. Key areas include aviation, defence, education, healthcare, heavy industry (including metals, petrochemicals and aluminium), oil & gas, power, water & utilities, roads and transport infrastructure, residential development & planning, tourism (including sports and cultural development), telecommunications and ports.

Abu Dhabi Conference 2009 will also build on the momentum generated by the 2008 conference, which gathered over 350 prominent government and business personalities from the UAE and other countries in in-depth discussions focusing on strategic changes

happening in the emirate. MEED pointed out that the consensus of the 2008 event was that the global credit crunch will affect Abu Dhabi far less than the rest of the world, a view that has been proven true as the emirate has remained stable and remarkably strong compared to other world economies.

MEED is a leading business information provider and organises events on many subjects throughout the Middle East on petrochemicals, oil and gas, through to transportation, economy, business and facilities management.

The Abu Dhabi Conference 2009 is supported by the Department of Economic Development - Abu Dhabi, with Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA) as Associate Sponsor; HSBC as Gold Sponsor; Emirates International Investment Company (EIIC) and Metito as Silver Sponsors; Orient Planet as PR Partner; The National as Media Partner; and CNBC as Official Arabic Broadcaster.

In addition, supporting organisations include British Embassy UKTI, American Business Group and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.