The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia) will organise its third Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF),  the world’s biggest economic forum on competitiveness, in Riyadh on January 25.

The GCF aims to set the agenda for the global economic future. It is the largest major international economic event to be held before the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The forum provides an international platform to raise awareness of challenges facing competitiveness, critically evaluating the micro and macroeconomic requirements for becoming globally competitive.

The forum was founded in 2006 under the patronage of the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.

This year’s event will focus on responsible competitiveness covering topics such as the global outlook for 2009 and the risks that are expected, thriving entrepreneurship in the current crisis and energy and the environment.

The forum take place at a time when Saudi Arabia has just announced a record budget surplus for 2008 and record spending for 2009, largely due to major infrastructure projects and increased spending on education and healthcare.

It will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas between speakers and attendees, making this a valuable exercise in business networking at a time of negative sentiment in global markets.

This highlights the real business opportunity created by the GCF – combining leaders from a range of fields and a platform for discussion on the world’s economy.

Sagia governor Amr Dabbagh said the challenges posed by the current global economic conditions have caused great uncertainty in business, the world over.

The GCF will bring together 100 of the most talented and experienced leaders from a variety of sectors including business, finance, politics and sport to discuss solutions for taking world business forward in a responsible and competitive manner.

'With a sound financial base, Saudi will be at the forefront of driving sustainable, responsible, competitive economic growth,' he stated.

Abdul Mohsien Al Badr, CEO of GCF 2009, said, “We have brought together thought leaders from around the world to discuss 20 global topics including the current credit crisis and ways forward, eliminating red tape, the green agenda, the energy evolution and competitiveness.'

Highly respected and successful attendees include Shinzo Abe, former prime minister of Japan, Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan and Michael Phelps, multi-gold medal winning Olympian.”

Featured speakers include president and CEO of Renault and Nissan Carlos Ghosn, former Malaysian PM Dr Mahatir bin Mohamad, Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, and Japanese ex-PM Shinzo Abe.

Additionally, former Irish president and UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Mary Robinson will be speaking alongside Airbus president and CEO Thomas Enders, Sabic CEO Mohamed Al-Mady and multi Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps.-TradeArabia News Service