Steering Committee of Dubai 2003 discusses preparations

Dr. Kharbash said all organizational matters of the conference are progressing as per schedule and he ruled out any impact of the current crisis on the conduct of the conference.

He noted that the arrangements of the conference so far were satisfactory to a great level, noting that Dubai 2003 would be a major international event with more than 20,000 people including several heads of states, ministers, businessmen and investors participating.

The committee reviewed the entry facilities offered to various categories of participants and coordination between the country's airports in this regard. Entry forms for the participants were designed in a simple way and there is coordination in this regard with the Secretariat General of the International Monetary Fund in Washington.

The committee also reviewed the printing requirements of the conference secretariat and after discussing international offers, appropriate step was taken to meet those requirements.

The Steering Committee approved a media action plan for Dubai 2003 which seeks to provide an appropriate and state-of-the-art environment for the local and international media to cover the conference. The plan focuses on providing various facilities to the media, including transmission and production studios at the Dubai International Convention Centre. The event is expected to get vast media coverage worldwide.

The committee members also watched promotional videos of the UAE, Dubai and the television channels that are going to broadcast these films.

The committee also discussed logistic requirements of the conference and partnership plans with some local and international firms in this regard.

The social programmes and protocols of the meeting were also reviewed and financial report of the conference was approved. The naming of the conference halls was postponed to the next meeting.

During the conference, an arts exhibition will be held with international painters participating. They will be specially invited to the country as part of the efforts to promote the UAE.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Khalifa Mohammed Ahmed, Head of the Dubai Ruler's Court, Qassim Sultan, Director General of Dubai Municipality, Major General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander in Chief of Dubai Police, Khalid Bin Sulayem, Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, AbdulRahman Al Matuee, Director General of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Col. Saeed Mattar Bin Bleilah, Director General of the Naturalisation and Residency Department, and Ibrahim Shareef Belselah, General Coordinator of Dubai 2003.