By Abdul Muin Abdul Majid, NNN-Bernama,
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt : The World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East has concluded here with calls for the region to move swiftly in all spheres, including politics and economy, to achieve further advancement.
The situation was perhaps best summed up by Maher Bitar, a youth representative from Palestine, who said: “We want to see a Middle East of strategic importance, not because of conflict but because we have vibrant economies and political systems.”
Bahrain’s Ithmaar Bank chairman, Khalid Abdulla-Janahi, noted that the Middle East is a region of vast resources but more should be done to propel the region forward.
“We’re very rich in this part of the world, but at the micro-level we’re very poor — in terms of technology, innovation, creating social welfare and entrepreneurship,” he said.
He was one of six co-chair of the meeting which carried the theme “Learning from the Future”.
The WEF joined hands with the British Council in identifying young leaders who shared their aspirations and concerns with the more than 1,500 participants of the meeting held in this Egyptian Red Sea resort from May 18 to 20.
The organizers said they included 12 heads of state or government, ministers, leading business figures, leaders from civil society and the media from over 60 countries. Malaysia was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
The long-standing Palestinian conflict also came under the spotlight here, with both participants and panelists concurring that the matter remains an urgent concern.
However, Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Mahmoud Nazif stressed the need for countries in the region to plan for the future despite having to grapple with issues of peace and stability.
Some opined that creating jobs for and developing the skills of the regions increasingly young population remains the top priority while others urged for a fundamental change in the relationship between Arab governments and their citizens.