+ A
A -
QNA
Doha
The Middle East region has enormous natural resources, huge financial capabilities and great human potential, but these capabilities have not been effectively utilised, Minister of Finance HE Ali Shareef al Emadi has said.
“Actual economic conditions in the region don’t correspond with the available potentials and that most countries in the region suffer from declining economic performance, poor infrastructure and public utilities, increasing unemployment, poverty and widespread corruption, which pose a high risk of further unrest and threaten security, stability and development efforts in the region,” Emadi said while inaugurating the 14th edition of the Enriching the Middle East’s Economic Future Conference in Doha on Tuesday.
The conference brings together more than 270 prominent figures from 73 countries who will discuss for two days the most important challenges in the MENA region with the participation of research experts, academics, businessmen and decision-makers from around the world.
Emadi stressed the need to fill important gaps that hinder the development process, including the need for integrated plans to develop vocational education and training, laws and legislation for the business environment, as well as support innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises and promote the participation of the private sector in economic activity.
The minister stressed the importance of joint work to develop programmes and mechanisms to take advantage of the great potential in the region to achieve sustainable development and support security and stability for all countries of the Middle East.
He said this year’s conference is being held under complex circumstances when the world is witnessing fundamental challenges and transformations in the economic arena and increasing protectionist policies and trade disputes between big powers, which affect the development and economic growth efforts in various regions of the world, including the Middle East.
He pointed out that since its launch in 2006, Enriching the Middle East’s Economic Future Conference has been focusing on discussing economic developments in the Middle East and Asia, and studying solutions and initiatives for the economic challenges facing the region.
“It’s a unique opportunity and an effective international forum that attracts distinguished experts and businessmen from all over the world to discuss various issues including economy, energy, free trade, security, crises and challenges in this region,” he noted.
Emadi said the topics to be discussed in conference focus on issues which are the concerns of countries all over the world with direct repercussions on peace, security and stability.
“Crises and serious challenges in the region won’t find the desired positive solutions unless there is dialogue and consensus, and there is a sincere desire to meet with stakeholders and experts in order to develop a common vision to address the problems and crises escalating in the world, especially the Middle East,” he added.
Emadi hoped that initiatives and solutions will be reached to achieve economic development and prosperity for all countries and peoples of the region, hoping that the conference will enrich its economic future.
Meanwhile, all the speakers at the conference unanimously agreed on the need to address a number of issues that have a direct impact on the region, including the implications of the continuation of totalitarian regimes, tackling corruption, caring for youth, promoting women’s issues, climate change and the role of education and modern technology in bringing about direct change in the region.
Former President of Malawi Joyce Banda stressed that countries are now required more than ever to support freedom of assembly, press and justice, in addition to addressing the challenges of climate change. At the same time she stressed the importance of empowering young people, including women in the economic system.
She said corruption has now become a global issue and bold efforts needed to combat it.
Minister of Economy of Malta Edward Scicluna said most of the protests witnessed in many countries were spontaneous, have no leadership, and were not organised by the opposition, pointing out that these protests were the result of social and economic factors such as unemployment, poverty, declining living standards, and the marginalization of young people and others. This has led to the rise of migration and the flow of migrants to the countries of Europe.
He also stressed the importance of combating corruption as one of the factors that inhibit the growth of the economy in many countries, while underlining the importance of developing education and strengthening the technology sector because of its important role in driving economic growth in various countries of the world.
Hani K Findakly of Potomac Capital said lack of job opportunities, marginalization of youth, unemployment, poverty, corruption and the failure to cope with the huge technological revolutions along with other factors that have a direct impact on economic growth. He stressed the need for countries in the region to benefit from these developments and adopt new constructive policies that contribute to social welfare and economic growth.
The 14th edition of Enriching the Middle-East’s Economic Future Conference is organized by the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED).
Doha
The Middle East region has enormous natural resources, huge financial capabilities and great human potential, but these capabilities have not been effectively utilised, Minister of Finance HE Ali Shareef al Emadi has said.
“Actual economic conditions in the region don’t correspond with the available potentials and that most countries in the region suffer from declining economic performance, poor infrastructure and public utilities, increasing unemployment, poverty and widespread corruption, which pose a high risk of further unrest and threaten security, stability and development efforts in the region,” Emadi said while inaugurating the 14th edition of the Enriching the Middle East’s Economic Future Conference in Doha on Tuesday.
The conference brings together more than 270 prominent figures from 73 countries who will discuss for two days the most important challenges in the MENA region with the participation of research experts, academics, businessmen and decision-makers from around the world.
Emadi stressed the need to fill important gaps that hinder the development process, including the need for integrated plans to develop vocational education and training, laws and legislation for the business environment, as well as support innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises and promote the participation of the private sector in economic activity.
The minister stressed the importance of joint work to develop programmes and mechanisms to take advantage of the great potential in the region to achieve sustainable development and support security and stability for all countries of the Middle East.
He said this year’s conference is being held under complex circumstances when the world is witnessing fundamental challenges and transformations in the economic arena and increasing protectionist policies and trade disputes between big powers, which affect the development and economic growth efforts in various regions of the world, including the Middle East.
He pointed out that since its launch in 2006, Enriching the Middle East’s Economic Future Conference has been focusing on discussing economic developments in the Middle East and Asia, and studying solutions and initiatives for the economic challenges facing the region.
“It’s a unique opportunity and an effective international forum that attracts distinguished experts and businessmen from all over the world to discuss various issues including economy, energy, free trade, security, crises and challenges in this region,” he noted.
Emadi said the topics to be discussed in conference focus on issues which are the concerns of countries all over the world with direct repercussions on peace, security and stability.
“Crises and serious challenges in the region won’t find the desired positive solutions unless there is dialogue and consensus, and there is a sincere desire to meet with stakeholders and experts in order to develop a common vision to address the problems and crises escalating in the world, especially the Middle East,” he added.
Emadi hoped that initiatives and solutions will be reached to achieve economic development and prosperity for all countries and peoples of the region, hoping that the conference will enrich its economic future.
Meanwhile, all the speakers at the conference unanimously agreed on the need to address a number of issues that have a direct impact on the region, including the implications of the continuation of totalitarian regimes, tackling corruption, caring for youth, promoting women’s issues, climate change and the role of education and modern technology in bringing about direct change in the region.
Former President of Malawi Joyce Banda stressed that countries are now required more than ever to support freedom of assembly, press and justice, in addition to addressing the challenges of climate change. At the same time she stressed the importance of empowering young people, including women in the economic system.
She said corruption has now become a global issue and bold efforts needed to combat it.
Minister of Economy of Malta Edward Scicluna said most of the protests witnessed in many countries were spontaneous, have no leadership, and were not organised by the opposition, pointing out that these protests were the result of social and economic factors such as unemployment, poverty, declining living standards, and the marginalization of young people and others. This has led to the rise of migration and the flow of migrants to the countries of Europe.
He also stressed the importance of combating corruption as one of the factors that inhibit the growth of the economy in many countries, while underlining the importance of developing education and strengthening the technology sector because of its important role in driving economic growth in various countries of the world.
Hani K Findakly of Potomac Capital said lack of job opportunities, marginalization of youth, unemployment, poverty, corruption and the failure to cope with the huge technological revolutions along with other factors that have a direct impact on economic growth. He stressed the need for countries in the region to benefit from these developments and adopt new constructive policies that contribute to social welfare and economic growth.
The 14th edition of Enriching the Middle-East’s Economic Future Conference is organized by the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED).
