Governor Al Dabbagh: "SAGIA Aims to Produce Saudi Executives that Double as Economy and Public Relations Ambassadors"

RIYADH, Saturday, July 16, 2005 - The Executive team of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), headed by HE Amr Al-Dabbagh, SAGIA's Governor, wrapped up a week-long series of training sessions on public speaking given by the world-renowned Public Relations and Strategic Communications expert Harvey Thomas.

The sessions were designed to train SAGIA executives on effective tools for delivering messages in a public setting, whether through lectures, presentations, during meetings or media interviews.

A firm believer in public speaking, HE Governor Amr Al Dabbagh was the first to undergo the training. "SAGIA is working with other Saudi Arabian government bodies to facilitate investments within and into the country. The exercise calls for the executive team to speak about investment-related issues and other matters related to Saudi Arabia. It is, therefore, imperative that we empower our team to become better equipped to communicate SAGIA's message. SAGIA aims to produce Saudi executives that double as economy and public relations ambassadors," commented Al Dabbagh.

Harvey Thomas (CBE, FRSA, FIPR, FCIJ) conducted the training sessions between Riyadh and Jeddah to ensure the inclusion of key SAGIA team players. Mr. Thomas is an International Public Relations and Presentation Consultant, specializing in Corporate and Personal Communication, Customer Relations and Event Management.

He gives one-to-one Coaching and Training to CEOs and Senior Corporate Officers, Diplomats and Political Leaders, in many Countries.

He is also widely known as a Conference Moderator and Keynote Speaker - and is a regular Broadcaster on BBC, SKY TV and other International Radio and Television Channels.

Harvey was Press and Public Relations Director for Margaret Thatcher throughout her years as Prime Minister of the UK and has worked internationally with many other Business and Government Leaders on Communication Strategy, Media Relationships and Personal Presentation.

Harvey is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Fellow of both the Institute of Public Relations and the Chartered Institute of Journalists. He was given the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) Award by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990.

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© Press Release 2005