LOC11:31
08:31 GMT
MUSCAT, April 22 (KUNA) -- Oman Economic Forum 2012 kicked off here on
Sunday, organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in coordination
with Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Economy and Business Group,
titled "enhancement of national resources" under the auspices of the
representative of Sultan Qabood, As'ad bin Tarik bin Taimur Al Said.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry advisor Mehsin Al-Blooshi in remarks to
the press following the opening, said that more than 500 participants
including investors, businessmen, senior officials in oil, energy, commerce,
industry and banking sectors, chairmen of international companies, presidents
of Islamic and commercial banks and heads of economic and financial
institutions would participate in the forum.
Former Lebanese and British premiers Fouad Al Sanyoura and Tony Blair, and
the Director-General for Economy and Business Group, Mr. Raouf Abou Zaki would
also take part in the event.
Al-Blooshi said that the third session of the Oman Economic Forum comes in
an economic atmosphere different than that in 2011, considering the European
sovereign debt crisis, rising oil prices, and the political reforms in the
Middle East and North African, leaving a huge effect on the global economy.
Oman exerted serious efforts to reduce the impact of the Global Financial
Crisis (GFC), and the European sovereign debt crisis in specific on its
economy, considering that the Omani economy recorded positive growth in 2011,
he affirmed.
He is looking forward to the participation of investors from Oman, Arab
nations in the Omani economy.
The forum will discuss a number of issues including providing investments
for new projects and infrastructure development plans, in addition to allowing
the private sectors to take part in such projects he said.
The forum would also look at the investment opportunities in the sectors of
energy, alternative energy and water, as well as development of ports and free
trade zones, he added.
In addition to tackling the Omani 2020 economic vision, mean of increasing
the Gross National Product (GNP), as well as the banking industry, financial
markets, the reality of the banking industry in Oman, requirements of Basel
III Conference 2012, prospects of Islamic banking in Oman, and the role of the
financial market in funding new projects. (end)
ahr.lb
KUNA 221131 Apr 12NNNN