More than 50 speakers from 22 countries will discuss trends in governmental competitiveness and developing a world class infrastructure in Saudi Arabia at an upcoming summit in Riyadh.

The Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel from January 25 to 27.

Under the theme 'Competitive Governments' experts will discuss the positive impact national competitiveness can have on local, regional and global economic and social development.

Since the founding of the GCF by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia) in 2006, the forum has grown into one of the largest and most important annual gatherings of academics and business leaders.

The event will include an 'Invest in Saudi Arabia' exhibition which debuted at last year's forum with great success. This year the exhibition will showcase investment opportunities and highlight major development projects in Saudi, including Jeddah's Burj al Arab and the Kingdom's economic cities.

Participants will have the chance to network and interact with a number of renowned guests during panels and workshops at the two day event. Some of the featured sessions include:

Lord Peter Mandelson, president of the Policy Network international think-tank, will moderate a distinguished panel led by Nika Gilauri, former Prime Minister of Georgia, and including Mustafa Koc, general manager of Communications at the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications; Notis Mitarachi, Vice Minister and Member of Parliament for Athens at the Hellenic Republic; and Dr Tawfiq Al Rabeeah, Minister of Trade and Commerce.

A keynote speech by Dr Mohammed Al Suwayel, president of the King Abdullah Center for Science and Technology (KACST) will explore the key to making innovation a successful economic reality.

Nik Gowing of the BBC will moderate a panel on engaging women in the workforce, and in particular, in the growing field of manufacturing.

Federica Guidi, Minister of Economic Development in Italy will lead a panel on engaging the global youth; and how to combine the passion and creativity of youth with the training and development they will need to become tomorrow's leaders. – TradeArabia News Service