‘Dubai closer to becoming capital of Islamic economy’

Dubai: Dubai’s selection as host of the 10th session of the World Islamic Economic Forum 2014 — one of the world’s largest gatherings to share knowledge, experience and expertise in Islamic economy — will take the emirate a step closer to its vision of becoming the world capital of the Islamic economy.

The announcement came during the opening day of the World Islamic Economic Forum 2013 in London, being attended by a high-level Dubai delegation headed by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Executive Office of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Development of the Islamic Economy Sector, including top government and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials.

Al Gergawi accredited this achievement to the vision of Shaikh Mohammad, who initiated the “Dubai: Capital of the Islamic Economy” initiative and laid clear guidelines to focus efforts on the various aspects of developing the Islamic economy, and whose ambitious strategy has started to bear fruit.

Al Gergawi said that the selection clearly indicates Dubai’s ambitions in achieving global leadership in the area of the Islamic economy. It also reflects Dubai’s potential to make a huge success of global events and presents the emirate as a viable option for hosting major international forums and conferences.

Strategic plan

Al Gergawi said, “Hosting this global event is extremely important for Dubai’s status as a leading centre of major events and conferences, especially after the launch of the strategic plan for developing the Islamic economy sector, which includes seven key pillars and 46 strategic initiatives, and will allow us to prove our organising capabilities and status as a leading proponent of the Islamic economy, under the wise leadership of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the direct supervision of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council.

Leading the Dubai Chamber delegation to the 9th session of WIEF in London, Hamad Bu Amim, President and CEO of the non-profit organisation, said that the wise vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was clearly directed towards bringing economic progress and prosperity to Dubai.

“The emirate is time and again proving that it has no parallel when it comes to hosting major global exhibitions, events and conferences,” Bu Amim said.

The President and CEO of Dubai Chamber went on to say that the hosting of the next session of the World Islamic Economic Forum, which is attended by senior government officials and business leaders from around the world, will highlight the city as a hub for Islamic business and its capabilities in offering Islamic products, services and practices.

Competitiveness

Bu Amim said, “At Dubai Chamber we are constantly striving to enhance the competitiveness of Dubai and its rewarding business environment while promoting its status as a global hub for major exhibitions and forums. The emirate enjoys a great reputation among global businesses and we have to keep playing our part, boosting this image and providing the most fertile ground for the prosperity of the business world.”