The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called for stronger economic partnership among member countries of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in efforts to further increase trade as well as combat poverty and disease. There is also a need to enhance economic development in less developed countries, in Africa in particular, state media WAM quoted UAE's Economy Minister Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri as saying at an OIC economic meeting in Istanbul. In addition, he said that a clear, realistic and strategic vision for Islamic cooperation and foreign investments should also be looked into. Investors, he said, should tap opportunities in all OIC states to provide “a social and political safety valve” for the countries involved and the whole Islamic World. Al Mansouri was also in favor of joint Islamic projects as a strategic goal and an effective step towards economic integration among OIC countries, WAM reported. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) announced its participation as a lead sponsor in the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum 2008 to be held in London on Oct. 28. The Abu Dhabi Investment Forum 2008, which is held under patronage of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will showcase the economic outlook for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and highlight the business and investment opportunities created through economic diversification. The one-day event will involve more than 150 international investors, Abu Dhabi's key industry leaders, financial intermediaries and top-level policy makers. The forum comes during a phase of unprecedented economic growth and development, and will exhibit Abu Dhabi's economic restructuring plans and commitment to sustainable growth. Organized by the Department of Planning and Economy, the forum will also shed light on the strategic position of Abu Dhabi as the centre of investment, business, tourism, culture, real estate and construction in the UAE. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank's participation in the forum will focus on the role of the bank as a pioneering organization in the fields of real estate, infrastructure, clean energy and sustainable development. “As a lead sponsor to this important event, we are aiming to enhance the position of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a major investment destination and to boost ADCBs' relations with its current customers and partners and establish new relations with potential partners. Through partaking in this forum, ADCB endeavors to provide a platform for the business leaders, government officials, global investors and experts to meet and discuss different investment opportunities specifically related to Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general,” said CEO of ADCB Eirvin Knox. In a related development, Select Property said it believes that the news that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is guaranteeing all deposits and savings in all its national banks, is great news for those people who do have money to invest, This means that any money that is held in a UAE Bank, including Dubai and Ras Al Kahimah, will be protected by the UAE government. In the current global financial crisis finding an investment that is classed as ‘safe' is hard to find, with many investor's now ploughing money into property after losing faith in the banking system. Select Property has announced that it has taken steps to ensure that their investors' money is as safe as possible, with any money paid to Select Property held in escrow in a Dubai bank. This means that investments are fully protected and guaranteed by the UAE government. As well as protecting purchasers' money, the Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai investment property markets are currently continuing to grow even in the present situation, so all investor's money is not only seen as secure but is also expected to make a profit as well. Select Property believes that there has never been a better time to invest in the UAE. __
