Right, Tun Musa Hitam, chairman of the WIEF Foundation, speaks to the press at Sonargaon Hotel yesterday, announcing a roundtable on climate change, Islamic microfinance and education. Middle, Salahuddin Kasem Khan, executive chairman of SEACO Foundation Bangladesh, a co-organiser of the two-day event; and Jamaluddin bin Sabeh, Malaysian high commissioner to Bangladesh, are also seen. Photo: STAR
Analysts will discuss climate change, Islamic microfinance and education at a two-day roundtable to be organised by the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Foundation in Dhaka, organisers said.
The event that starts today at Radisson Hotel will give regional and local business leaders a platform to identify the existing business and economic strengths of each other, Tun Musa Hitam, chairman of WIEF Foundation, told reporters yesterday.
It will also help the business leaders to define key steps and measures to transform a common vision into reality, he said.
The WIEF Foundation in Malaysia and SEACO Foundation in Bangladesh are jointly organising the event in collaboration with the Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the High Commission of Malaysia in Dhaka.
Fifteen local and international organisations will join the fifth WIEF roundtable.
“For many years now, we have planned to organise a WIEF programme in Dhaka. With the introduction of the roundtable, we now have the right platform,” Tun Musa said.
The WIEF Foundation had organised similar roundtables in Turkey, Russia and South Africa since 2011, said the chief of the foundation.
Tun Musa said each roundtable addressed specific economic and business issues and so far received overwhelming responses and support from government leaders, business communities and the media of the respective countries.
“This year, we are delighted that Bangladesh has been chosen as host. In doing so, we recognise the value, knowledge and learning opportunities that Bangladesh brings to the table.”
The roundtable is designed as a unique extension of the WIEF annual forum, and they expect a bigger turnout this year, he said.
“We will be discussing, debating, challenging and arriving at workable priorities, strategies and action plans that will take our member to the next level at the event,” Tun Musa said.
He said it is no longer optional or negotiable, if member countries want to move up the value chain and become competitive.
The foundation believes that the roundtable series will be beneficial for entrepreneurs, policy and decision makers, strategists, financial institutions and educators.
“We also need to shift gears very quickly and move faster; agility is critical to our collective success.”
Hasan Mahmud, minister for environment and forest, is expected to attend today’s inaugural session.
There will be three sessions in the roundtable on regional cooperation to combat climate change, Islamic micro finance and private higher education.
Due to the runaway success enjoyed by the programme, the foundation plans to hold more roundtables in future.
In 2012 in particular, apart from the roundtable, the plans are afoot to hold similar programmes in Morocco, Kyrgyzstan and London, said Tun Musa.
This article was published at The Daily Star website on 19th March 2012.
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