WIEF set to open with high aims
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) opening here Sunday will provide a platform to Muslim World to evolve a joint strategy for their economic growth and tap the potential of Muslim Ummah.
Talking to PTV he said leaders and leading economic experts from various countries would discuss issues confronting the Muslim World with focus on the improvement of their economies. He said panel discussions will be held during the course of the forum that will also look into ways and means to promote better investment opportunities among Muslim world.
The Prime Minister said the conference will also provide both Muslims and non-Muslims with an excellent platform to identify new trade and investment opportunities in their respective countries. The first world Islamic Economic Forum was held in Malaysia last year. A three-day World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) will start here Sunday to deliberate upon “Unleashing the Potential Emerging Markets and Business Beyond Borders” to meet the challenges confronting the Muslim world. Hosted by government of Pakistan, the 2nd session of WIEF is being organized by the WIEF Foundation and co-organized by Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute in association with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade.
Over 300 delegates would attend the 2nd three-day World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) from 57 countries, which include high level government officials, heads of governments and heads of states and of course the business and economic leaders from this parts of the world.
The main objective of the Forum is to provide a platform for the positive and healthy interaction between government leaders, civil society and business players for the benefit of the Muslim community throughout the world. The Forum, geared to be the “Davos” of the Muslim World, will provide an opportunity to identify and promote business and investment opportunities, engage in dialogue and exchange of ideas with Muslim and non-Muslim entrepreneurs.
It will provide an opportunity to update the knowledge and understanding of each country’s priorities and plans for economic development and strengthen the Muslim brotherhood while promoting viable joint-ventures and smart partnerships. The conference, spread over two and half days, will be held in the Jinnah convention center, Islamabad.
The WIEF was previously known as the OIC Business Forum which had its first meeting in October 2003 on the sidelines of the 10th OIC summit in Putrajya, Malaysia. At the second OIC business forum, held in Kula Lumpur in 2004, it was decided to rename it as the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF). Up-building the economic potential of Muslim world will take centre- stage at the second WIEF meet from November 5 to 7.