Capacity building: Developing people for sustainable growth

JEF Outlines Challenges of 21st Century

JEDDAH, 20 February 2005 — Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday called for overcoming the challenges confronting the nation. “The challenges that face us are not just economical, but ideological and intellectual as well,” he said formally inaugurating the 6th Jeddah Economic Forum at the Hilton. “Our mission should not be confined to only building material things, but also include building the minds for shaping our destiny,” he said and expressed his gratitude and appreciation for all those who were honored for their efforts in making the previous JEF events a success.

More than 2,000 national and overseas participants are attending the three-day forum whose theme is “Capacity building: Developing people for sustainable growth”.

Many prominent figures and heads of states from Afghanistan, Senegal, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries are among the keynote speakers and participants.

Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf said generating capital and infrastructure development were among the priority areas. Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry Chairman Adel Faqeeh, JEF 2005 Chairman Amr Enany and Laura Tyson, dean of the London Business School, the event’s academic partner for the second year in a row, also made remarks at the inauguration.

During the daylong session earlier, world leaders urged Saudis to visit their countries, see the progress made and consider projects for investment. Both Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz took the opportunity as keynote speakers to graphically portray the emerging scenario in their countries and said Saudi investors who have been investing worldwide should come forward and participate in the development of the Kingdom’s brotherly countries.

Aziz spoke on early challenges, obstacles and successes encountered by Pakistan in its transformation after the instability of the 1990s. Karzai, who followed him, painted a rosy picture of war-torn Afghanistan that was now marching ahead with peace and prosperity.

Karzai’s address was titled “Rebirth of a nation: motivating a broken soul.” He pointed out that his country, which maintained good relations with the United States and neighboring countries including Pakistan, had new laws and strategies to consolidate its economic capabilities to attract foreign investments. Referring to the role of Afghan women in the plan for growth, Karzai said: “Women in Afghanistan, whose participation in the national election exceeded 40 percent, do have a role in nation building.” He singled out tourism and infrastructure among the areas where vast opportunity was available for overseas investors.

Aziz referred to the recent acquisition by Saudi investors of the Karachi Electricity Company and focused on some more projects. “We’re developing special economic zones adjacent to the Gwadar seaport that has been recently constructed. We’re also establishing a textile city in Karachi,” he said and wanted investors to look at the opportunities within their region and close neighborhood. “Pakistan is now a very investor-friendly destination with lot of opportunities in various sectors that ensure healthy returns and risk rewards.”

Aziz wanted Saudis to take a fresh look at Pakistan. “Today’s Pakistan is different from the Pakistan of yesteryears. The Pakistan of today has done a complete makeover. It has a new face winning the hearts and minds of the international community while facing up to the twin challenges of globalization and economic prosperity. Above all, Pakistan offers immense investment opportunities,” he said.

Referring to the so-called clash of civilizations, Aziz said: “The current geopolitical environment calls for an introspection by the Muslim Ummah. We need to proactively project the true philosophy of Islam, which emphasizes tolerance, moderation and peace. We’ve to wash out the negative perceptions about our religion and challenge cliches like clash of civilizations.” He urged the Organization of the Islamic Conference to initiate steps that would challenge such cliches. “Pakistan will support every step that the OIC takes to meet such challenges.”

The two leaders also separately addressed press conferences in which they answered a range of questions concerning their bilateral ties with the Kingdom and other countries.

“Where is (Osama) Bin Laden” was the question posed to both of them. Both answered in the negative about the knowledge of the Al-Qaeda chief.

Aziz was asked about Pakistan’s relations with India. “We’re working on all sectors and trying to find solutions to all our bilateral issues, including the core issue of Kashmir,” he said.

There were also addresses by Madinah Governor Prince Muqrin, Commerce and Industry Minister Dr. Hashim A. Yamani, and Transportation Minister Jubara Al-Suraisery among others. Muqrin posed the question whether governance had to be devolved or centralized, and Yamani discussed at length the current state of soft and hard infrastructures.

A session on “Voices of the future” followed with a panel of students discussing their issues, as well as their hopes and aspirations. Effat College Dean Dr. Haifa Jamalallail, one of the two moderators, effectively dealt with the problems posed by the student community. There was also a discussion on whether the private sector was a vital driver of local government in which a panel of speakers including Jeddah Mayor Abdullah Al-Moallami, Mohamed ibn Ali Alabbar of Dubai and Civil Aviation Director Abdullah Al Rehemi took part.

Pakistan’s Investment and Privatization Minister Dr. Abdul Hafiz Shaikh in his presentation wanted the Islamic Development Bank’s member states to seriously consider why they remained behind in foreign direct investment and export of manufactured goods.

Today’s session will deal with human resource as the key to national economic success, a UK perspective of investing in people, the Czech experience of building an economy in the shadow of big neighbors, and the Kingdom’s employment strategy, tourism development, business process outsourcing and building the work force for the 21st century. One of the highlights of the day is a discussion on “Embracing womanhood” by a panel that includes Dr. Nouha Al-Hakim of the University of Paris, and Dr. Siham Al-Suwaigh, dean of the College of Education at the Kingdom’s Royal University for Women.

The JEF opened with remarks from Ghassan Al Sulaiman, vice chairman of the JCCI and chairman of the Jeddah Marketing Board, which has organized the event.

— With input from Khalil Hanware, K.S. Ramkumar & Hassan Adawi

Reprinted with permission of Arab News

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