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Of 'bragging rights' and coffee bar chats

Let me start by saying sorry. There is no way to get through this blog without a dose of shameless namedropping. How else can I tell you what the great and good have been telling me?

  • By Richard Quest, CNN
  • Published: 22:59 January 29, 2009
  • Gulf News

Let me start by saying sorry. There is no way to get through this blog without a dose of shameless namedropping. How else can I tell you what the great and good have been telling me?

For instance, this [yesterday] morning, it was a short coffee bar chat with Prince Andrew on British industry and how its weathering the recession.

Prince Andrew told me he was spending a lot of time in the UK, talking to industry. As Special Representative for UK Trade, he can act as a link between all sides in the economy. I will press him on this in my interview which you can see on today's show. Then there was a quiet talk with James Hogan, the CEO of Etihad airline about his plans for new A380s.

Sometimes, these "meetings" are mere nods in corridors (for instance with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister). At other times, they are full-on interviews, such as my discussion on the Ukraine-Russia gas dispute with the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso.

There is something about being in Davos that lets leaders become more reflective and often expansive. Trevor Manuel, Finance Minister of South Africa, for instance, talking to me about whether he will remain FM after the election (yes, if asked, but not forever, was his answer.)

Often these meetings are nothing more than "bragging rights".

Oh yes, I saw Tony Blair. I will tell friends, conveniently leaving out the fact that Mr Blair was being rushed to the front of a security line: I was standing near the back&.we brushed shoulders. But, hey, I "met" him.

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