Minister of Trade and Industry Rasheed M. Rasheed said that all preparations to host the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in Sharm El-Sheikh are now complete.

President Hosni Mubarak is to open the forum on May 20th. Attending will be more than 820 Heads of State and Government as well as ministers and businessmen.

The forum will give impetus to the Egyptian economy. Several dossiers will be discussed; the nuclear arms race and the peace process at the fore.

Head of the forum Carlos Showarb is determined to hold the forum on time and without change of venue, given the Dahab incidents to send a message to the world that terrorism cannot impede economic development.

Rasheed expects the outcome of the meetings will be reflected on Egypt's economy in the years to come.

While inspecting final preparations in Sharm El-Sheikh, Rasheed added that Egypt's position on the world scene and its pivotal role in the region could not be affected by terrorist acts which are categorically rejected.

Rasheed added that a number of symposia will be held on the sidelines of the forum to discuss major regional and international issues of interest to the participants.

Al-Akhbar 2-5-2006