HH Sheikh Hamdan to next week review preparations to host World Bank Group & IMF Annual Meetings

His Highness will review the progress at a meeting of the Steering Committee next Monday, said Qasim Sultan Al Banna, Director General of Dubai Municipality and Head of the Dubai 2003 Organising Committee.

He made the announcement during the weekly meeting of the Organising Committee, which was held today. The meeting marked the countdown of 55 days to go for the Annual Meetings.

Members of the Organising Committee discussed issues regarding the local and regional media activities, the training of newly recruited staff for Dubai 2003 and details of the previous report covering what various committees have done so far.

While discussing the media plan from now until the Annual Meetings, Qasim Sultan said the plan should focus on spreading the awareness about the event throughout the country to both nationals and residents. He said the through the media, people should be made to understand the nature of the meetings, their importance to the economy as well as their role in promoting the potential of the UAE as an investment and tourism centre.

It is important to coordinate all the individual efforts of various media from both the government and the private sector to ensure the success of the event, he pointed out.

"We want our citizens to understand the nature of the event and the importance of hosting these meetings here. We want our people to welcome the guests and it is important, therefore, to introduce them to this prominent event which is the biggest held so far in the country," said Qasim Sultan.

He pointed to the major role of all media institutions, and particularly the satellite broadcast stations, in spreading the message of the country with regards to the event, and assured the role of Dubai TV in highlighting the event.

Praising efforts made so far to promote the event abroad, the Organising Committee Head called on delivery channels to boost the message locally.

Today's meeting also discussed details about training the 5,000 new staff that is being inducted for hosting the event. Employees at Dubai 2003 office at present number 85,who will all work from the Dubai International Conventions Centre (DICC), starting next week.

Members discussed proposals for holding of art exhibitions during the event and if any more signage in the city is required. They assured that ensuring safety and security is paramount in all their efforts.

The Organising Committee had previously formed a task force to facilitate the procedures. The task force is headed by Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Assistant Under Secretary for Revenue and Budget in the Ministry of Finance and Industry and member of the Organising Committee; and includes Ibrahim Belselah, General Coordinator of Dubai 2003; and Ahmed Al Banna, Assistant General Coordinator and Head of the Accommodation Committee of Dubai 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.