Prominent figures in economic development set to address Dubai Economic Outlook 2011 Seminar

Top government officials and leaders from key industry sectors will present their outlook on the economic prospects of Dubai and on the emirate’s dynamic interface with the global economy at the one-day ‘Dubai Economic Outlook 2011’ seminar organised by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai on March 30, 2011.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Economic Sector Committee, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and the Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, will be the guest of honour at the seminar, which will be held at the Emirates Towers Hotel. His Excellency Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre, will deliver the keynote address.

“The seminar reinforces two key factors in the development of Dubai economy – informed decision-making both in the private and public sector, and public-private partnership. The objective is to shed light on the economic opportunities offered by Dubai currently and in the future, and to further mobilise public and private sector capabilities to make the best use of these opportunities,” said His Excellency Mr. Sami Al Qamzi, Director General, DED.

The seminar, which is organised as part of DED’s commitment to an effective and transparent dialogue within and between the public and private sectors, aims to provide strategic insights and first-hand information on the growth prospects in the emirate and to build positive pro-growth synergies between the public and private sectors.

The speakers will provide an overview of Dubai’s macroeconomic trends and expected growth as well their assessments of the prospects of key sectors such as logistics, retail, transport, real estate, trade, business services, tourism and finance.

The seminar sessions include "Macro Outlook 2011", “Dubai and the World", and “Sector Outlooks" before concluding with the speakers’ assessment of the “Key Drivers of Growth in 2011".

Their Excellencies Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority; Marwan Bin Ghalitha, Chief Executive Officer, Real Estate Regulatory Agency; Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr Nasser Saidi, Chief Economist, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority; Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President, Emirates Group; Abdelmohsin Ibrahim, CEO, Strategic and Corporate Governance Sector, Roads and Transport Authority; K.G.Udaya Indrarathna, Executive Director, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and Mohammad Lahouel, Chief Economist, DED will share their views on the outlook from a public sector perspective.

The sector leaders and analysts addressing the seminar include Dr Marios Maratheftis, Head of Research, Western Hemisphere, Standard Chartered; Dr Farouk Soussa, Chief Economist, Citibank; David Stevens, Partner, PWC; Iyad Malas, CEO, Majid Al Futaim Group; Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group; Rick Pudner, CEO, EmiratesNBD; Khaled Ahmed, Senior Vice President, Economic Zones World; Elain Jones, CEO, Asteco and Santosh Kumar, COO, RNA Resources Group.