January 21, 2014
- SENIOR FIGURES TO ADDRESS WEF ANNUAL MEETING 2014 –
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain: A Bahraini delegation including Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), and Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor, Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), arrived in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, today (January 21) for the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting.
The global summit runs from 22-25 January and has as its theme this year ‘The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business.’ According to Kamal bin Ahmed, the changes in the global economy in recent years mean that governments must continually adapt if they are to continue to create the right environment for firms in the private sector to thrive.
Kamal bin Ahmed said: “There have been plenty of changes in the global economy in the last decade though this year economies in the West will come to the conference as optimistic as they have been since the start of the financial crisis. In spite of this renewed optimism and continued strong performance in markets such as the GCC, the problem of ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and benefits all in society remains.
“For us in Bahrain, a liberal business environment allowing a thriving private sector that can create high quality jobs and training and education that prepares local workers to compete in a global economy is at the heart of the answer to that problem.”
Kamal bin Ahmed will address these topics during his participation tomorrow (January 22) in a session titled “The Arab World Context: What challenges and transformations are shaping the leadership context in the Arab world?”.
Bahrain’s commitment to liberal economic policies was reflected earlier this month as it was ranked among the world’s top 15 most economically free nations and the most free in MENA by the annual Index of Economic Freedom, published by The Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal. Bahrain was also recently ranked number one, alongside the UAE, in the Fraser Institute’s annual report on Economic Freedom of the Arab World. The Kingdom has been ranked in first place in the Fraser Institute’s report since 2009.
The other members of the Bahrain delegation attending the World Economic Forum are:
– Mahmood Al-Kooheji, CEO, Mumtalakat
– Jamal Fakhro, Member of the Shura Council and Executive Partner, KPMG
– Najla Al Shirawi, COO, SICO
– Nabeel Kanoo, Deputy Executive General Manager, Kanoo Travel
– Rima Al Kilani, Director, Global Marketing, EDB
– Jamal Fakhro, Member of the Shura Council and Executive Partner, KPMG
– Najla Al Shirawi, COO, SICO
– Nabeel Kanoo, Deputy Executive General Manager, Kanoo Travel
– Rima Al Kilani, Director, Global Marketing, EDB
-ENDS-
Further information please contact:
Noora Abul, Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel: +973 17 589 903
Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com
About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths.
Key areas of focus include manufacturing, ICT, and logistics and transport services as well as other sub-sectors. The Financial Services sector in Bahrain is particularly strong and the EDB supports in the continuing growth of the banking industry and key sub-sectors, including Islamic Finance, Asset Management, Insurance and Re-Insurance.
For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit www.bahrain.com
