Japan-Arab Economic Forum Launched in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan, December 08, 2009, SPA -- Dr. Ahmed Al Hakami, the Deputy Minister
of Economy and Planning and head of the Saudi delegation to the Japan-Arab Economic
Forum has highlighted the future of the Saudi economy in the light of the current
situation and the Saudi National Economic Strategy and ways of enhancing it
through diverse world cooperation, especially in the development of human resources
sphere.


The Saudi delegation to the event includes Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial
Cluster Development Program, Saudi Arabia's General Investment Authority, Saudi
Fund for Development, Saudi Credit & Saving Bank in addition to a number of private
sectors companies as well as businessmen.


Saudi Ambassador to Japan Abdulaziz Turkistani, who is also the head of the
Economic committee that emanated from The Council of the Arab Ambassadors and the
Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Tokyo, hoped that the Forum will help in bolstering
Arab-Japan economic relations as the gathering includes a number of economists and
businessmen.


The Forum was inaugurated yesterday in the presence of Secretary General of the
League of the Arab States Amr Mousa.


The Forum is jointly established by the initiatives of the Japanese Ministry of
Economy, Trade & Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the League of Arab
States in cooperation with Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East and Nippon
Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) for strengthening mutual economic relations
between Japan and Arab countries through cooperation in a wide range of fields such
as trade, investment, energy, technology and human resources development.


During the period from December 6 to 9, 2009, The Forum will have the
participation of the Ministerial-level representatives and executives of private
sector as follows:


From Arab Side, the main participants include:
-The League of Arab States
-The Economic and Social Council of the Arab League
-The Council of the Arab Ambassadors and the Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Tokyo
-The General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries
-The Federation of Arab Businessmen
-The Arab Investors Union
-Top executives of economic and business organizations including companies in the
private and public sectors from all members of the Arab League.


In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Japanese participating side include
-Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
-Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation))
-Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME))
-Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO))
-Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA))
-Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC))
-Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI))
-Japan Foreign Trade Council, Inc. (JFTC))
-Japan Arab Association and top executives of economic and business organization
including companies in the Japanese private and public sectors.


In a related story, Arab League Secretary General also signed a Memorandum of
Understanding between LAS and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Japanese
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masayuki Maoshima marking the initiation of
the Arab-Japan economic cooperation.

--SPA
--SPA 13:07 LOCAL TIME 10:07 GMT NNNN