Dubai 2003 welcomes World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn and IMF Managing Director Horst Koehler to the UAE

The leaders of the world's premier financial institutions were greeted at Dubai International Airport by a Dubai 2003 delegation led by the UAE Minister of State for Finance and Industry Dr. Mohammed Khalfan bin Khirbash. Accompanying him for the arrival of Mr. Wolfensohn from Dubai 2003 were the Head of the Organising Committee Qassim Sultan, Head of the Task Force Khalid Al Bustani and the Head of the Security Committee Major-General Abdulaziz Al Bannai.

Dr. Khirbash later greeted Horst Koehler on his arrival in Dubai. The Minister discussed the preparations for the Annual Meetings with both men.

Their arrival marks the beginning of the Annual Meetings and ancillary events and meetings that will happen in Dubai until 24 September.

Participants from over 184 countries are now arriving in Dubai to take part in the world's biggest annual gathering of the global financial community - the first time this prestigious event has been held by an Arab Country.

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.