The global summit runs from 25-29 January and is a timely gathering of global leaders under the theme âThe Great Transformation: Shaping New Models.â According to Shaikh Mohammed, it is vitally important that governments continue to create the right environment for firms in the private sector to thrive.
Shaikh Mohammed said: âAcross the world, future economic growth will depend on a vibrant private sector that is able to create jobs. Governments have a vital role to play in creating the conditions that enable that to happen â whether it is through targeted investment in infrastructure, education and training or legislation that minimises the regulatory burden that businesses face.â
Bahrain was forecast to achieve around 2% growth in 2011 and economic growth in 2012 is forecast by the EDB at almost the 4% mark. Financial and industrial sectors continued to grow in 2011, at 1.7% and 3%, respectively, year on year. In November, Bahrain raised $750m from international financial markets through a seven-year sovereign sukuk, or Islamic bond.
Bahrainâs commitment to liberal economic policies was reflected earlier this month as it was ranked among the worldâs top 20 most economically free nations and the most free in MENA by the annual Index of Economic Freedom, published by The Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal.
Shaikh Mohammed will tomorrow participate in a session titled âWhat Is the Role of Business in Societyâ, discussing  how the Great Recession has fundamentally changed societal expectations, who the key stakeholders are and what they value most in this new context and how business can ensure its social licence to operate for the future.
He joins the delegation alongside senior figures from the Kingdomâs thriving private sector â the engine of growth under Vision 2030; the EDB itself is leading the process under the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and Chairman of the EDB.
The other members of the Bahrain delegation are:
- Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer, Batelco
- Jamal Fakhro, Managing Partner, KPMG Fakhro
- Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa
- Dina Kasrawi, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company
- Stephen Harrison, International Adviser to the CE, Economic Development Board
- Rima Al-Kilani, Director, Economic Development Board Â
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