As many as 17 heads and deputy heads of state and government have confirmed their participation in the event, including Malaysian prime minister Mohd Najib; Sultah Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam; King Abudullah II of Jordan; Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Kosovo`s President Atifete Jahjaga.
Also President Abdul Hamid of Bangladesh; Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane of Morocco; Pakistan`s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif; Iraq`s Deputy Prime Minister Nuri Shaways; Deputy Prime Maset Issekeshew of Kazakhstan; Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain; and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the UAE.
The meeting seeks to increase the partnership between markets in Islamic countries and European countries, exploring the possibility of making London the global center for Islamic finance, discussing new solutions for global challenges and providing real investments.
The 9th WIEF also offers opportunities to build networks with organizations such as Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, London Stock Exchange Group, Xenel Group, World Health Organization, Halal Food Festival, Jaguar Landrover and Arab Economic Development Company.
Also JS Comsa Corporation, BDA China, Denari Arsitek, Atikins Plc., Open Perkotaan, Thomson Reuters, Seedrs, Rabia Z, Aga Khan Development Network, the Khana Group for West Africa, Crescentrating, Gatehouse Bank, Hong Leong Bank Islam, Khazanah Nasional, Maybank Berhard Islam and Bank Negara Malaysia.
Issues to be covered in the forum include exploiting the potential of women as important growth drivers, harmonizing Islamic and western banks, exploring export potential for high quality education in developing countries and developing technological collaboration between Islamic and European economies.
The WIEF Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Kuala Lumpur, organizes the meeting each year as a world-class business platform to provide business opportunities in the Moslem world and carry out programs from various initiatives from the WIEF Foundation which works to strengthen people`s partnerships and the exchange of knowledge between Muslim and non-Muslim communities across the world.
The WIEF has in past years been held in Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Indonesia and Pakistan and is aimed at unifying Muslim and non-Muslim communities through business.
The ultimate goal of the forum is improving the welfare of the people in Muslim countries and of Muslim communities across the world through trade and businesses.
The forum also promotes dialog and cooperation between Muslim and non-Muslim businessmen, which is an important feature of international relations in the 21st century.
The focus of the 9th WIEF this year is banking and Islamic finance, technology, infrastructure development, health, exports, education and youths.
(Uu.A025/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Reporter: Ahmad Wijaya
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
