Dubai to host Geneva Group International (GGI) world conference

This was announced during a press conference on today at Dubai Municpality, which was addressed by Mohammed AbdulKarim Julfar, Assistant Director General of the Municipality for Financial and Properties Affairs, Claudio Cocca, Founder of GGI, Michael Reiss von Filski, Secretary General, GGI, and Peter Kaeser, Regional Manager, Middle East/Asia/Africa, GGI.

GGI is one of the leading global networks of independent, well-established and experienced law firms, accounting firms, management & tax consulting firms. Based in Switzerland, it has more than 220 member firms and over 300 offices with nearly 10,000 employees worldwide.

The conference, to be held at Madinat Jumeirah Resort, will offer the right platform for the group's member firms who represent over 135,000 clients across the globe to chart out their future course of action. The conference will enable GGI members from all over the world to meet each other personally and exchange experiences, knowledge and develop further business relations. The conference will also provide an opportunity for new potential members from all over the world to introduce their firms to GGI and to experience the network. There will be particular focus on the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa, to which Dubai is the most important financial and trading hub.

Mr. Julfar said Dubai Municipality is pleased to be associated with GGI, ranked as the world's seventh largest professional network, in organising this significant conference, which would familiarise the city with a wide range of professional firms and investors across the globe. It would go a long way in promoting Dubai's financial and economic potentials to a wider audience.

"This is a great opportunity for us to join hands with Geneva Group International and we are sure that this is just the beginning of a long-lasting and fruitful partnership from which we both can benefit,"

said Mr. Julfar.

He added that the Municipality would present a paper in the conference introducing the strategic plan for the city as well as facilities offered by the city to potential investors.

Claudio Cocca, Founder of GGI, said the GGI World Conference is a right opportunity where potential members can know from very close what GGI is all about. There will be brief presentations on a variety of activities and services offered by the group to its members.

"The conference will be attended by prominent personalities including Mr. Mohammed AbdulKarim Julfar, Assistant Director General of the Municipality for Financial and Properties Affairs, who will deliver the opening speech, Dr. Anton Blatter, Chairman of GGI, and Dr. Thomas Muller, Chief Advisor to the Minister of Interior of Austria in Criminal Psycholgy with FBI training One of the main attractions of this prestigious event will be speeches of prominent personalities from abroad and Dubai as well as specialised workshops, which would be of interest to professionals in law firms, audit firms and management consultants," he said.

The workshops will focus on different subjects like 'Be Your Own Behavioural Analyst' by Dr. Thomas Muller, 'Meditation' by Jean Lenglet, 'International Business - the Next Generation' by Gary Allan Quirke and Michelle LaVallee, 'GenevaLinks - GGI's Business Networking & Contracting Tool' by Norberto Levin, 'Geneva Group Management Institute' by Dr. Migue Mantelli, 'Establishing a Practice Group in Government Affairs and International Relations' by Michale Reiss von Filski, 'The Value of Global Networks' by Dr. Christian Madelung, 'Public Private Partnership - Where Are They Heading' by Detlef Bischoff, 'The Work-Life-Balance' by Salwa Shaibani, 'The Strategic Plan of Dubai City' by Dr. Hamid Hattal, and 'Oil & Gas: What Next' by Nima Kashan.

Michael Reiss von Filski, Secretary General, GGI, said the group had set up the Geneva Group Management Institute (GGMI) in Switzerland which is a Virtual University for GGI members their clients and associated organisations. A presentation on the GGI will be given during the conference which will be attended by Dr. Kamali Al Tayeb, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology. A meeting is scheduled for Sunday (November 13) between senior GGI officials and HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Education and Chancellor of HCT, for a presentation on GGMI.

Peter Kaeser, Regional Manager, Middle East/Asia/Africa of GGI, said: "It has been a pleasure and a priviledge to work side by side with Dubai Municipality and I would like to thank HE Qassim Sultan, the Director General as well as each and every member of the team led by Mr. Munther Akram Juma, Director of Public Relations and Organisations Department."

"It is not a coincidence that GGI is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Dubai, because, in my view, Dubai and GGI share many things in common and that both are fairly young, successful, always growing, innovative, and dynamic. Besides, both enjoy a future vision that is truly unique," he said.

A golf tournament will also be organised on 10 November 2005 as part of the conference in Jebel Ali, part of whose proceeds will go to a local charity foundation for special needs children. Besides, delegates and their partners will be taken on a tour of the famous landmarks of the city including architectural wonders, historic places, recreational centers and desert safaris, he said.

He added that Dubai Municipality is also the official partner for GGI conferences during 2006.

Founded in 1995, GGI is the only Swiss network covering multi-disciplinary services and has grown to be one of the leading networks worldwide.

"The GGI's strength and unique multi-disciplinary practice enable its members and their clients to select firms all over the world with confidence. Choosing a GGI firm means being connected to high quality standards, local market knowledge, and recognized resources worldwide," he said.