The Arab Strategy Forum 2004 witnesses huge GCC attendance

The participants included high-level government officials and leading personalities.

"Since its inception in 2001, the ASF has received a great response from within and outside the region, however the participation this year is substantially greater," said Nabil Al Yousuf, Vice-Chairman of the Arab Strategy Forum Organising Committee. "He pointed out that the last two weeks saw an overwhelming number of registrations for participation," he added.

"The growing number of participants reflects the huge interest that the themes of this year's Forum and the high-profile speakers have generated. It also reflects the success of the Forum in developing into an important forum where vital issues concerning the region are discussed.

"The sessions have been designed to enable the speakers at the Forum to openly discuss issues and exchange ideas with the participants to create an enriching dialogue that will help the Forum achieve its aims. Apart from the open sessions that will be chaired by leading speakers, the forum will also include workshops, receptions and networking meetings, which will give a chance for open dialogue between leading personalities," added Al Yousuf.

The Arab Strategy Forum has received considerable support from the corporate sector. The Forum has six Organising Partners and two Media Partners. The Organising Partners are Emirates National Oil Company Ltd (ENOC), Abraaj Capital, PricewaterhouseCoopers, DaimlerChrysler, National Bank of Dubai and Gulf News, in addition to Media Partners Al Sharq Al Awsat and CNN.

The Arab Strategy Forum aims to advance the state of the Arab World by bringing together key regional stakeholders to engage in activities that bridge differences and build opportunities for growth and prosperity in the region.

The underlying mission of the Forum is to create a new business and economic constellation among the countries of the Arab World and to operate as a catalyst for discussion, debate and networking among key representatives from the region. The Arab Region is defined as the Gulf and Levant and North Africa. The Forum is being held from December 13-15, 2004 at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.