A number of local and international experts are expected to gather here for the Second Saudi Marine Forum from May 30 to June 1, to look at issues including shipping, port development, investment and tourism. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, will launch the forum which is being organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). Among those who will attend the forum are the Minister of Transport and head of the Saudi Ports Authority Dr. Jabarah Bin Eid Al-Suraisiry and more than 1,000 ports and marine transport researchers and specialists from within and outside the Kingdom. About 30 speakers will take part in the forum. There will also be 50 government and private bodies, working in seaport marine transport industries, which will take part in the International Seaports exhibition to be held on an area of 1,800 sq. meters. Chairman of the forum and head of the JCCI's Jeddah Marine Transport committee, Tariq Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Marzouqi, said one of the aims of the forum is to establish an annual specialist platform where discussion can take place on marine transport and ports in the Kingdom, on the challenges facing the marine sector in general, improving management performance in navigation and shipment loading, and investment in Saudi ports. Al-Marzouqi said the forum will discuss eight areas in which international economic developments have impacted on marine transport and global shipping. This includes ports financing, foreign investment, the transport of oil, gas and petrochemicals, the development of port operation systems, shipment unloading and loading, infrastructure, sea tourism and passenger transportation. In addition to the Saudi Ports Authority, participants will include Saudi Customs, Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, Arab Institute of Navigation, General Investment Authority, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and ports authorities from various Arab Gulf states.
