Karen Hughes and other distinguished leaders to address the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum (USAEF)

Under Secretary Karen Hughes, U.S. State Department; H.E. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States; Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Ambassador to the U.S.; Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian, Founding Director, James A. Baker III Institute of Public Policy; H.H. Hissah Al Sabbah, Chairwoman, Council of Arab Businesswomen; H.E. Abdulla Al-Attiyah, Minister of Energy and Industry Qatar; and James Lambright, Chairman and President (acting) of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. will join the CEOs of Shell Oil Company, Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, DaimlerChrysler, Cox Communications, Marathon Oil Company, and over 90 public and private sector leaders at the 2006 U.S.-Arab Economic Forum in Houston, Texas, June 26-28.

This year's USAEF will build on the successes of the 2003 USAEF, which hosted six of the Fortune 10 corporate heads as well as Secretary of State Colin Powell and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, among many others. The Forum's goal is to enhance U.S.-Arab relations.

'Business is an obvious way to break down barriers of misunderstanding and replace them with bridges of understanding,' said Ahmad Chebbani, Chairman of American Middle-East Economic Affairs Committee (AMEAC). 'Partnering with government officials, business leaders and economic visionaries helps increase the dialogue on important bilateral issues, facilitate economic growth, and create a shared stake in a prosperous future.'

List of Preliminary Speakers:

The 2006 USAEF, in coordination with the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce and USAID, the Arab League and the Gulf Co-operation Council, is America's premier event for U.S.-Arab business relations. More than 1000 key decision-makers and influencers in the U.S. and Arab World will come together to work toward improving economic ties and economic development as a source of societal change.

The USAEF's Strategic Partners are the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar. Strategic Sponsors include BTU Ventures, Inc., Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil Corporation, WEDGE Group and Shell Oil Company. Synergy Sponsors include Comerica Bank, DaimlerChrysler, Dubai Properties, L.L.C., Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation and Marathon Oil Corporation.