Bahrain’s His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa have been invited by UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to attend the 10th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in Dubai next month.

This was revealed by WIEF Foundation chairman Tun Musa Hitam at a press briefing at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa yesterday (September 9), said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Hitam said Bahrain could be a possible venue for the event in the future as it was a pioneer in Islamic finance and also home to many industry thought leaders, a leading regulator and game changers.

“The 10th edition of the event will seek to build bridges between the conventional and Islamic economies, by expanding boundaries, discovering complementarities and strenthening international linkages,” he said.

Themed 'Innovative Partnerships for Economic Growth', the forum aims to forge greater collaboration between nations, bringing a new era of prosperity for the global economy.

Innovative partnerships are an important dimension required to recognise and develop different models for economic growth.

It offers tremendous opportunities for players with varying expertise and resources to join forces to create joint ventures that are greater in value than the sum of their parts.

The annual forum will highlight trends shaping the $8 trillion Islamic economy.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, who also addressed the Press, said a business match-making programme, Halal bio-economy agenda and a panel discussion on mobilising capital from waqf, pension funds and unit trusts are new to the forum this year.

Key topics include Global Economic Outlook: Developing a Resilient Model for Developing Economies; Global Financial Landscape; Islamic Finance's Pivotal Role in Enabling Trade and Streamlining the Halal Supply Chain; Socialising Education and the Role of Universities; Retaining Young Talents; Sustainable Urban Planning and Creating Smart Infrastructure and Holistic Communities; and Rise of Women Entrepreneurs and Developing a Peer Network.

Last year's forum in London was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development Board chairman. - TradeArabia News Service