Dubai 2003 Organising Committee appeals to UAE nationals to join the team welcoming participants in the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF

The call came at the weekly meeting of the Dubai 2003 Organising Committee that is chaired by Mr. Qassim Sultan, Director General of Dubai Municipality.

Dominating the meeting was consideration given to a report submitted by "Emirates Group" about their plan to employ and train up to 5,000 people to form a team responsible for greeting, meeting and assisting the estimated 16,000 international visitors who will come to Dubai to participate in the Annual Meetings.

Qassim Sultan said it was vital to ensure the recruitment of enthusiastic and highly motivated UAE nationals to fulfill this important role in the welcoming team as they can truly reflect the values of their country and provide guests with a more comprehensive briefing on the history, culture and traditions of the UAE.

Training for many of the team members has already commenced, using the facilities and expertise offered by the Dubai Aviation Training Centre to equip individuals with theoretical and practical knowledge of their role during the event.

Mr. Sultan explained that participating in the event would also provide individuals with invaluable skills and expertise that they can apply in the future to helping the UAE to further develop and enhance its reputation as a major regional centre to host world class international events.

Emirates Group announced that approximately 60 percent of local applicants and current team members are Emarati women. Training of the welcoming team will equip them with the skills to work at the Airport, hotels, Convention Centre and other key areas to meet and greet delegates across Dubai.

Dubai 2003 General Coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Belselah updated the committee on the status of the ongoing television advertising campaign that is proving highly successful on both international and local television channels in a bid to promote the hosting of the Annual Meetings by an Arab city for the very first time.

This year, the Annual Meetings will be held on September 23 and 24, and the overall event will be held from September 18 to 25, 2003.

The Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund were first held in Washington DC in 1946. They are hosted by an international city one year in three. The UAE and Dubai were selected because of their highly developed transportation and logistics infrastructure, growing importance as a financial hub and its established position as an oasis of opportunity.