Arab and international business leaders attending the Global Arab Business Meeting 2010, which concluded in Ras Al Khaimah on Tuesday (September 28, 2010), unanimously expressed optimism about the strong and sustained growth of the regional economy. The delegates echoed the views expressed by Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, on the opening day of the forum, when he said that economic outlook for the Arab region for the next three years has turned highly optimistic. Similar views were expressed by H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, during her address at the event. She said that for a region such as the Middle East which has been among the least affected by the global financial crisis, conditions are ripe for gaining more competitive and advantageous positions within the global markets. H.E. in particular pointed to the UAE’s resilient growth in recent years, especially the country’s growing appeal to foreign investors. She cited the 2010 UN Conference on Trade and Development [UNCTAD] Report which shows that the UAE ranked first among Arab states and 14th globally in the number of new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in 2009, recording 230 projects or 1.7 per cent of the overall global share of new FDIs. Organised by Horasis: The Global Visions Community, an independent international organisation committed to enacting visions for a sustainable future, and co-hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA), the Global Arab Business Meeting featured world-renowned keynote speakers who spoke about some of the most important issues affecting economic growth in the region, including political relations between the Arab World and other countries, the status of the region's investments in real estate and infrastructure development, overseas investment opportunities, and creating Arab brands, to name a few. The event featured a series of Breakfast Sessions at the Al Hamra Convention Centre, focusing on topics such as "A New World Order", "Fuelling Economic Growth", "The Sustainable Corporation", and "Real Estate and Infrastructure: The Road Ahead". The opening plenary saw H.H. Sheikh Saud joining a prominent list of panellists that included Esko Aho, Executive Vice President of Nokia and former Prime Minister of Finland, and Saad Al-Shuwaib, Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. Further, there were Boardroom Dialogue Sessions discussing topics on "Arab Entrepreneurs: Spearheading Globalization", "Investing Overseas", "Strategies for Success in the Middle East", and "Scorecard on Logistics", "A Roadmap for the Acquisition of Foreign Firms", "Human Resources: Moving up the Global Level Playing Field", "Creating Arab Brands", "The Arab World's Natural Resources", "Riding the Next Wave of Financial Services in the Arab World", "Renewable Energy: The Arab World's New Growth Pattern", "Arab Technology Pioneers’ Global Awakening", among others.
