MUSCAT -- 'The Economy Forum', an Al Roya initiative, begins on May 26, Saturday under the auspices of Yahya bin Mahfoodh al Mantheri, Majlis Addawla Chairman, with the participation of a number of dignitaries and officials from the public and private sectors as well as a group of experts, businesspeople, local, regional and international decision makers. There will be five sessions over two days.
The first session will discuss "Strategic Thinking and Economic Planning", while the second session will discuss "The Infrastructure and the strategic location and their role in attraction of investments". On the second day there will be three sessions, focusing on "Food security and future strategies", "Industry the future of Economic diversity" and "Tourism and promising opportunities for investment and diversification of income sources."
The forum, one of the first specialised economic forums in Oman, highlights economic issues of an analytical perspective aiming to conclude practical and effective recommendations for the near future to diversify income resources in Oman in particular, and to strengthen the national economy in general. The forum discusses several vital elements such as a critical analysis of the Vision 2020 as well as discussing alternatives and strategies for achieving food security in Oman.
Among the participating international speakers is Professor Gawdat Bahgat from the Near East South Asia Centre for Strategic Studies (NESA) -- National Defence University -- USA, who will present an analytical and critical perspective for Oman 2020. Hussain al Talafha from Jordan, who works as a counsellor in the Arab Centre for Planning in Kuwait, will present a paper on "The Importance of Strategic Planning."
Ahmed AbdulRahman al Shememri, Chairman of board of Saudi Association for Saudi Society for Entrepreneurship and the Dean of Prince Salman Entrepreneurship Institute - King Saud University, will present a paper titled "Modern Economics Mobilising Entrepreneurial Projects". The international speaker Hans-Ludwig Dankwardt - an adviser in economy and a political analyst will present his paper about "Promoting Oman Internationally"
Bader Othman Malallah, Managing Director of the Arab Planning Institute in Kuwait and Ramdan al Sharrah from Kuwait will moderate two seminars in the forum. Local speakers include Dr Mohammed Abdullah al Mahrooqi, who will present a paper on "Oman 2020". Hatem al Shanfari will present a paper on "The Challenges of the Sustainable Development" in the first session.
In the second session, Yahya Said al Jabri will present his paper on "Duqm -- the prospects of diversification of national economy". Said Hamdoon al Harthy will talk about "The role of airports and harbours in attracting investments".
Engineer Jamal Tawfiq Aziz will discuss "Foreign investments, a new arm to support the national economy", and Saber al Harbi will talk about "The current situation of the investment in Oman."
On the second day, Rashid al Masroori will outline Food Security Strategies, while Rashid al Yahyaei will dwell on "The available alternatives in food security".
The third paper is entitled "Investment opportunities in fish farming in Oman", presented by Saud Humoud al Habsi, while Saleh al Shanfari will conclude the first session with a talk on "Food Processing".
In the second session, Engineer Nahla AbdulWahab al Hamadi will talk about "The industrial sector: challenges, facilities, and opportunities" and Hamad al Dhahab will present on "Industrial innovation."
The last session will be concluded by Marhoon al Amri with a presentation on "Opportunities of developing the participation of tourism sector in the GDP." After the sessions, panel discussions will follow and will be moderated by well-known local personalities and professionals.
© Oman Daily Observer 2012
