The Arab Thought Foundation (ATF) today announced Orascom Telecom as partner sponsor of its fifth annual conference, Fikr 5, to be held in Beirut on 2nd-3rd December 2006. Orascom Telecom, the leading telecommunications firm in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and Hamad al Ammari, the board member of the ATF, signed the agreement in Riyadh on 16th October 2006, underlining its ongoing support for the Foundation’s activities.
The fifth ATF conference is an opportunity for the Arab world to demonstrate its solidarity towards Lebanon through helping to restore the country to its former glory, declared His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal, the chairman of ATF.
Fikr 5 will bring together leading Arab thinkers, eminent politicians, and influential businesspeople to focus on the theme of Arab solidarity and the revival of Lebanon. Key issues will include the re-building of Lebanon, particularly the economic infrastructure and restoration of the tourism sector.
Nagib Sawiris, Chairman and CEO, Orascom, said, “This conference highlights the bright cultural future of the Arab world even in light of the recent events in Lebanon, which we feel serve to prove our resilience and ability to rebuild. Orascom, as a major infrastructure developer across the region, is proud to be partner sponsor of Fikr 5, and will address the subject of technology strategy in the rebuilding of Lebanon.”
The conference also focuses on rebuilding the country’s technological infrastructure. “Reestablishing communication systems is a vital part of the rebuilding process, particularly when you look at the important role of tourism in Lebanon’s economy,” Mr. Sawiris concluded.
ATF Executive Director, Hamad Al Ammari, said, “Orascom has long been a strong supporter of the ATF’s activities, and has actively promoted our mission to promote the unique culture and values of the Arab people.”
It is the intention of the organizers that this conference will deliver the necessary resources to allow Lebanon to maintain its essential cultural role in the region.
About The Arab Thought Foundation
The Arab Thought Foundation is a wholly independent, international NGO that pursues an agenda of free, non-partisan, and inclusive dialogue across the world. The goal of the ATF is the preservation and development of the essential values, morals, and social principles underpinning a unified Arab identity. Its activities are broad, and encompass the fields of the natural sciences and medicine, the social sciences, humanities and the arts.
ATF Board of Trustees – alphabetically - include:
Abdallah Zainal Abdulaziz Al-Babtain Abdulaziz Kanoo
Bahia Al-Hariri Hamzah Al-Khawli Juma’aa Al-Majed
Khalid Al-Turki Lubna Olayan Mani’ Al-Otaiba
Mohammed Al-Shayi’ Nagib Sawiris Nasser Al-Rushaid
Saleh Kamel Souad Al-Jaffali Yousef Al-Ghanim
About Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. (OTH):
Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. (OTH) was established in 1998 and has grown to become a major player in the global telecommunications market. OTH is considered among the largest and most diversified network operators in the Middle East, Africa, and South East Asia. It is a leading mobile telecommunications company operating in seven emerging markets having a population under license of 460 million with an average penetration of mobile telephony across all markets of approximately 19%. OTH operates GSM networks in Algeria (Djezzy), Pakistan (Mobilink), Egypt (Mobinil), Tunisia (Tunisiana), Iraq (Iraqna), Bangladesh (Banglalink) and Zimbabwe (Telecel Zimbabwe). OTH has more than 40 million subscribers in total as of June 30, 2006.
