WIEF: GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE ISLAMIC BRAND GROWING

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Global acceptance of the Islamic brand
is growing at a rapid pace based on the keen interest shown by international
firms to participate in the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) 2010.

The proven success of the event over the past five years has already
attracted over 40 countries for the WIEF this year, said WIEF Foundation
chairman Musa Hitam said at the event launch here Thursday.

The confirmed countries included Brunei, Indonesia, Senegal, Syria,
Maldives, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Netherland, Canada and Mauritius, he
said.

To be held here from May 18 to 20, the forum is expected to be attended by
about 2,000 participants, comprising country leaders and members of the global
business community.

Musa said most of these countries joining the forum, especially the Muslim
countries, needed special attention and opportunities to share ideas and promote
possible business ventures.

"In this environment, where the global economy seems to be stabilising,
among most Muslim countries, the situation is still bad simply because when we
talk about economic improvement, it always depends on the world's leading
economies such as the United States, China, Europe and other advanced
countries," he said.

"The developing countries of the Muslim world have totally been negleted.
They have been forced to look after themselves and look for opportunities during
uncertain economic conditions," he said.

"So, these countries need special attention and opportunities and this is
why a forum like this will help them."

According to Musa, those countries don't even know where to start and so
that is why they are keen to participate in the Islamic economic forum.

"Many of them are in need of a much more constructive approach to develop
themselves and that's why they are coming here to exchange views," he said.

"And out of this, you can be sure that there will be a lot of ideas coming
out, either at government level, government-to-government or more important,
within the context of ordinary businesses from the countries concerned."

Musa said Malaysia, which has always been at the forefront of the Islamic
brand, is well-positioned within the Islamic world and able to facilitate those
Muslim countries that needed help.

"Malaysia is performing better as compared to other OIC (Organisation of
Islamic Conference) countries and this is simply because we are blessed with
natural resources," he said.

With theme of "Gearing for Economic Resurgence", the WIEF 2010 will be
opened by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak at the Kuala Lumpur
Convention Centre.

The highlights will include a leadership panel to discuss leadership
challenges in the new era, the global chief executive officer panel, a special
leaders dialogue on climate change, a signature "Countries in Focus" session
showcasing investment opportunities in selected developing OIC countries, and
eight parallel sessions.

It will also preceded by the Businesswomen Forum, the Young Leaders Forum
and an exhibition to be opened by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Mohd
Yassin.

-- BERNAMA