Transition to stability
The 21st annual Arab Economic Forum (AEF 2013) is organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group in cooperation with the Central Bank of Lebanon, the Association of Banks in Lebanon and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank. The Forum will be held under the patronage of the President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon on 9-10 May 2013 at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut.
This year again, the Forum takes place against a background of the ongoing political turbulence in many countries across the region. Accordingly, the Forum will focus on the first day will be on the issues and difficulties of transition to stability across the Arab world, and on the policies and challenges of restoring growth.
Oil and Gas in Lebanon
On its second day, the Forum will focus on energy, especially the potential projects and bidding phase of oil and gas in Lebanon and some East Mediterranean countries.
Discussion topics
Accordingly, main issues on the agenda will include:
- The road to a stable political transition in the Arab countries: The cases of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and other Arab countries.
- Management of the economic transition agenda and challenges of restoring economic growth.
- Restoring investors confidence and clarifying laws and policies toward FDI?
- How the Arab banking industry is facing up to global and regional challenges?
- Technical, legal, procedural and economic dimensions and issues in the project to explore for oil and gas in Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Effective platform for dialogue
The Arab Economic Forum 2013 is expected to attract wide, high level attendance, including prime ministers, ministers and top government officials from many Arab countries, business, finance and investment leaders from the Arab world and the wider region, regional and international development and financial institutions and other stakeholders. As such, the forum will provide an effective platform for dialogue and discussion on the major issues of high relevance to the future of the region.