Dr. Ahmed Al Hakami, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning and head of the Saudi delegation to the Japan-Arab Economic Forum has highlighted the future of the Saudi economy in the light of the current situation and the Saudi National Economic Strategy and ways of enhancing it through diverse world cooperation, especially in the development of human resources sphere. The Saudi delegation to the event includes Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Cluster Development Program, Saudi Arabia"s General Investment Authority, Saudi Fund for Development, Saudi Credit & Saving Bank in addition to a number of private sectors companies as well as businessmen. Saudi Ambassador to Japan Abdulaziz Turkistani, who is also the head of the Economic committee that emanated from The Council of the Arab Ambassadors and the Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Tokyo, hoped that the Forum will help in bolstering Arab-Japan economic relations as the gathering includes a number of economists and businessmen. The Forum was inaugurated yesterday in the presence of Secretary General of the League of the Arab States Amr Mousa. The Forum is jointly established by the initiatives of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the League of Arab States in cooperation with Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East and Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) for strengthening mutual economic relations between Japan and Arab countries through cooperation in a wide range of fields such as trade, investment, energy, technology and human resources development. During the period from December 6 to 9, 2009, The Forum will have the participation of the Ministerial-level representatives and executives of private sector as follows: From Arab Side, the main participants include: -The League of Arab States -The Economic and Social Council of the Arab League -The Council of the Arab Ambassadors and the Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Tokyo -The General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries -The Federation of Arab Businessmen -The Arab Investors Union -Top executives of economic and business organizations including companies in the private and public sectors from all members of the Arab League. In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Japanese participating side include -Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) -Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)) -Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME)) -Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)) -Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)) -Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)) -Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI)) -Japan Foreign Trade Council, Inc. (JFTC)) -Japan Arab Association and top executives of economic and business organization including companies in the Japanese private and public sectors. In a related story, Arab League Secretary General also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between LAS and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masayuki Maoshima marking the initiation of the Arab-Japan economic cooperation. --SPA
