Dubai 2003 to organise major exhibition to showcase the best of the region's development institutions

The exhibition will feature representatives from organisations throughout the Region and give them an unrivalled opportunity to directly impact on the world's leading financial decision makers.

It will give a platform for what the Region has to offer the world of finance, investment, business and economy during the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September.

This will be the first time in the history of the Annual Meetings that such an exhibition has been held. It will take place from September 18-25 in Hall 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre and cover 4,000 square metres.

"We expect to raise global awareness of the various development institutions, potential investment projects that contribute to the growth of those economies that exist all over the Region" said Mr. Ahmed Al Banna, Assistant General Coordinator of Dubai 2003 and member of the Organising Committee.

He said during the World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings, more than 16,000 participants from all corners of the globe are expected to arrive in the UAE.

"These are participants of the very highest profile and calibre. We will have heads of state and prime ministers in addition to finance ministers, central bank governors and other senior government officials from the 184 member countries of the World Bank Group and the IMF," added Mr. Al Banna.

A number of leading institutions and projects from around the Region have already committed themselves to participating in this unique exhibition.

The exhibition will enable countries to share information about their activities and projects that support economic growth and sustainable development, with participants of the Annual Meetings.

"The aim of the event is to help bring into focus the range of initiatives underway and on the drawing boards throughout the region in an attempt to integrate the Arab world smoothly into the global economy and fund flows," he explained.

Mr. Al Banna added that the exhibition will feature development organisations and would showcase many of the opportunities available within the Region. In addition many Arab national and regional institutions will showcase their activities.

Some of the institutions that have already confirmed participation are the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Arab National & Regional Development Institutions, Sultanate of Oman, the Saudi Fund for Development, , and the Central Bank of Lebanon. A large UAE pavilion will host organisations including Departments and Projects of Port, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Nakheel Company and Tejari, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), e-government and the Dubai Development & Investment Authority (DDIA).

Dubai 2003 has appointed conference organisers INDEX as technical organisers for the event.

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.