KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan will attend the third edition of Future Investment Initiative (FII) 2019 which will take place in Riyadh from Oct. 29-31 2019, officials confirmed on Friday.
The prime minister will be accompanied by top officials of his government and a high-powered business delegation.
Marked under the theme “What is Next for Global Business?” the FII2019 is expected to bring together decision makers, leading investors and global experts to explore future economic trends and opportunities, shed light on the future of industries, and discuss how investment can continue to drive overall global prosperity and development.
Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, told Arab News on Friday that Khan “tentatively planned” to attend the FII2019 conference in Saudi Arabia but the details were yet to be confirmed.
The event will offer tte participants an opportunity to explore new trends, and challenges that are vital for shaping the global investment landscape.
The chairman of Pak-Saudi Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mian Mehmood, told Arab News that “Tentatively, Prime minister, finance minister and other officials are scheduled to participate in the FII 2019 along with business delegations.”
Circulars have also been issued to the business community notifying them of the opportunity to participate in the conference, said Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Senior vice President of the Federation of Pakistan chambers of commerce and Industry.
The Pakistani premier also participated in the FII 2018 last year where he spoke about the economic opportunities that Pakistan offered and invited investors to his country.
Last year’s event, organized under the theme “A Blueprint for the 22nd Century,” was attended by 3,500 participants where more than $60 billion worth of agreements were signed including major investments across a range of sectors, including energy, housing, health and trade.
PM Khan to attend Riyadh’s Future Investment Initiative this month
PM Khan to attend Riyadh’s Future Investment Initiative this month
- The three-day event themed “What is Next for Global Business” will start from October 29 in Riyadh
- 3,500 participants attended FII2018 where more than $60 billion worth of agreements were signed
Pakistan says PM Sharif has received invitation to join Gaza peace board
- Board is set to supervise temporary governance of Gaza
- Gaza has been under a shaky ceasefire since October
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Sunday Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had received an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the so-called “Board of Peace” for Gaza.
The White House on Friday announced some members of this board, which would outlive its role supervising the temporary governance of Gaza, under a fragile ceasefire since October.
The names include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Trump is the chair of the board, according to a plan the White House unveiled in October.
Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas signed off on Trump’s plan, which says a Palestinian technocratic administration will be overseen by an international board, which will supervise Gaza’s governance for a transitional period.
“The Prime Minister of Pakistan has received the invitation from the President of the United States to join the Board of Peace on Gaza,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
“Pakistan will remain engaged with international efforts for peace and security in Gaza, leading to a lasting solution to the Palestine issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions.”
Many rights experts and advocates have said Trump overseeing a board to supervise a foreign territory’s governance resembles a colonial structure, while Blair’s involvement was criticized last year due to his role in the Iraq war and the history of British imperialism in the Middle East.
The White House did not detail the responsibilities of each member of the board. The names do not include any Palestinians. The White House said more members will be announced over the coming weeks.
It also named a separate, 11-member “Gaza Executive Board” to support the technocratic body, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, UN Middle East peace coordinator Sigrid Kaag, United Arab Emirates International Cooperation Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, and Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said the composition of this board had not been coordinated with Israel and contradicted its policy — possibly a reference to Fidan’s presence, as Israel objects to Turkish involvement.
With inputs from Reuters
