Mid East needs to share private & public sector experiences, says Sarraf

Speaking on his appointment as a corporate ambassador for the ground-breaking 'Leaders in Dubai' event, which will be staged in Dubai this November, Sarraf said the event is fundamental to promoting better institutions and an opportunity to share experiences.

"This event constitutes a fundamental move towards better economic organisation and experience sharing in the region," he said. "The Middle East desperately needs such well co-ordinated, high profile events instead of individual seminars which often lack organisation and focus.

"With so many of the region's top businessmen attending this event, there will be an opportunity for comprehensive economic discussions and hopefully the sharing of leadership ideas to help the economic development of the Middle East."

Seven global personalities, all leaders in their own fields, will address 'Leaders in Dubai,' which will be held at the Dubai International Convention Centre from November 29-30. They include: former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani; Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, Tom Peters, the U-guru of management; best-selling author Frank Maguire; MIT's Professor of Management and Economics, Lester Thurow; influential futurists, Alvin Toffler and former GE Chairman and CEO, Jack Welch, who will address the audience via a live satellite link.

Sarraf, who is also a founder of the Lebanese Russian Association and a founder and honorary President of the Lebanese/Canadian Business Association in addition to the Vice President of the Union of Mediterranean Confederation of Enterprises, was selected as one of around 15 corporate leadership ambassadors for his pioneering role in industrial development within Lebanon and within the I.T. sector through his Al Malia chairmanship.

He joins a growing 'Leaders in Dubai' corporate ambassador lobby which also includes Abdulla Al Zamil, the Chief Operating Officer of Saudi Arabia's Zamil Industrial Investment Company and Hussain M. Sultan, Group Chief Executive and Board Member, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC).

The corporate ambassadors initiative came directly at the request of the 'Leaders in Dubai' speakers who wanted to assemble a group of the most recognised and contemporary business leaders in the Middle East to be their VIP guests at the event and network ideas for future leadership development in the region.

"Jacques Sarraf has taken a leading and high profile role in the redevelopment of Lebanon's industrial sector following the ending of the civil war hostilities in the early 90s," said Sheena Dunne, Project Manager, Leading Minds, which is organising the event. "His appointment as corporate ambassador recognises his determination and leadership role in assisting the rebuilding process."

'Leaders in Dubai' is expected to attract more than 1,500 business leaders. It will be the biggest business conference to be held at the Dubai International Convention Centre since the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in September 2003.