MEDIA RELEASE PR39580
Muslim Nations Meet to Plan Stronger Growth in World Economic Recovery
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 17/PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
With many Muslim nations among the emerging markets rebounding strongly
from recession, this year's World Islamic Economic Forum is set to be
closely
watched by economic trend spotters around the globe.
The conference will welcome leaders and representatives of the 1.6
billion Muslims worldwide, of whom around 20 percent are from the Arab
world,
while the majority live in south and east Asia. Leaders of smaller nations
outside this area, such as Kosovo, will also attend.
Trade between Muslim countries will account for nearly 17 per cent of
global trade this year, but increased ties with the non-Muslim world will
also be discussed at the gathering.
Aiming to help its members build bridges and thrive in a changing world,
the sixth annual WIEF meeting, taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 19
and 20 May has the theme "Gearing for Economic Resurgence".
The challenges of leadership, the need for constant innovation and new
business and investment opportunities will be examined during plenary
sessions.
Other issues to be tackled include climate change and the impact of the
global financial crisis on already scarce water resources.
An examination of the myth or reality of Islamic branding will include a
discussion on how Western companies could make their products more relevant
and successful in the Muslim world.
A session on Islamic banking's potential as the world searches for a new
monetary system in the post-financial crisis era will reflect how the
business has grown at an annual rate of 15 per cent, reaching a volume of $1
trillion, five times higher than in 2003.
WIEF Foundation Chairman Tun Musa Hitam, from Malaysia, will make the
welcoming speech followed by a keynote address and official opening by
Malaysia's prime minister Tun Abdul Razak. Other high profile leaders
addressing the delegates will be Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei
Darussalam; Abdoulaye Wade, president of Senegal; Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
president of Indonesia; Fatmir Sejdiu, president of Kosovo; Mohamed Nasheed,
president of Maldives; Sheikh Hasina, prime minister of Bangladesh; Sharif
Ahmed, president of Somalia; and Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, president of
Mauritania.
Reflecting that 65 per cent of the Muslim world is below 30 years of
age,
a young leaders' forum entitled "defining the Muslim youth in the 21st
century" will be held ahead of the two-day conference. A WIEF businesswomen
forum will also take place ahead of the main conference.
SOURCE: World Islamic Economic Forum
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