KUALA LUMPUR, 3 November 2015 – The 11th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), themed “Building Resilience for Equitable Growth” saw nine global leaders come together at the opening ceremony of the annual forum which has more than 3,000 forum registrants coming from 101 countries these three days.
The global leaders are:
“This year’s theme, “Building Resilience for Equitable Growth” is appropriate, given the challenges facing the global economy. None of us can totally shield ourselves from the vagaries and uncertainties of rapidly changing markets and currency fluctuations. It is therefore more important than ever that we can preserve stability and promote equitable growth. We must also address inequalities in the distribution of wealth, both across and within nations, in order to safeguard social stability and to promote an agenda of global inclusion, peace and prosperity,” said The Hon. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Patron of the WIEF Foundation.
This sentiment was echoed by the global leaders at the opening ceremony.
“We are witnessing a high degree of inequality in the world. The richest use 85 per cent of overall resources while accounting for 20 per cent of the population and producing up to 90 per cent of the waste. That is why it is always important to talk about sustainable development…Sustainable development, as one of the objectives of the strategic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, implies the development of environment and environmental infrastructure, energy and renewable energy sources, transportation infrastructure and telecommunications, and the development of agriculture and rural areas with the aim of diversifying economic activities,” said H.E. Dr. Dragan Čović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Indeed in Rwanda, we understand that ensuring sustainable growth means forging frameworks of cooperation that benefit all parties – specifically, increasing trade, and encouraging greater flows of capital, technology and knowledge. To that note, I encourage the Islamic Business Community to take advantage of the existing investment opportunities in Rwanda, as we remain an ideal investment location due to our security, enabling policy and infrastructure environment as well as the provision of focused investment incentives,” said H.E. François Kanimba, Special Representative of President Paul Kagame and Minister of Trade & Industry of the Republic of Rwanda.
This then kick-started numerous activities and programmes for both the forum and the 8th Marketplace of Creative Arts Festival including bilateral meetings, MoU signings, panel discussions, networking sessions, arts and cultural performances, and masterclasses, amongst many others.
Some key highlights from the day include:
The Hon. Dato Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs. Malaysia will officiate the opening of the SME Business Pavilion tomorrow, the second day of the forum.
The three-day Forum covers topics in the Muslim world including Islamic finance, halal industries, green technologies, education, sustainable living and development, women and youth development, and the Creative Arts.
The World Islamic Economic Forum is the largest international gathering of heads of government, economic experts and stakeholders to share experiences and knowledge about Islamic economy since its launch in 2005.
Find out more about the 11th WIEF here: http://wief.org/forum/11/
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About the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Foundation
The WIEF Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based in Kuala Lumpur, organises the annual World Islamic Economic Forum, a world-class business platform showcasing business opportunities in the Muslim world, and runs programmes of the various initiatives of the Foundation that strengthen people partnership and knowledge exchange between Muslim and non-Muslim communities across the globe.
The WIEF has previously held forums in Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Kuwait and
Pakistan, the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates and aims to bring together Muslim and non-Muslim communities through the common language of business.
The 11th WIEF will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 3-5 November 2015.
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