Amidst the crisis shaking the global financial system, Abu-Dhabi economy has shown a good deal of resilience coupled with swift government response that was aimed at containing the fallout and allowing the local market to continue its normal course. At the same time, the accelerated decline of oil prices highlighted the inherent strength of an economy that is buttressed by huge foreign reserves, an efficient management of resources and, contrary to many other oil based economies, the ability to balance books at relatively low price levels of crude oil. Add to that the dominant role that is still played by the government as the main provider and skillful calibrator of economic activity.
Although the worldwide crisis will call for a review of development priorities and the pacing of large projects, the fundamental strength of the Abu Dhabi economy will allow that to happen without disruption of the economic activity or any significant change in the country’s vision and economic objectives. Abu Dhabi will continue its strategy of building a full scale partnership with world leading companies with view of developing an efficient knowledge based economy, world class education and social progress.
Abu Dhabi Economic Forum (ADEF 2009) will provide a comprehensive update of Abu Dhabi’s economic strategy and plans while highlighting the opportunities that are still abundant and available in the post crisis phase. The forum will offer participants with an opportunity to focus on assessing the latest development in the global financial and economic crisis and its repercussions on the regional economies and investment environment in the region and across the globe.
ADEF 2009 will host more than 800 participants featuring government, business and bank leaders, investors and experts from more than 25 countries.
The Forum agenda will focus on the following:
- The new financial order and the global investment environment after the crisis.
- The future of oil and potential impact of declining oil prices.
- Impact of lower oil revenues on spending by government and the private sector.
- Abu Dhabi partnership strategy in energy and basic industries.
- Abu Dhabi partnerships in healthcare, education and technology transfer.
- Drivers of banking and financial markets in the region in the post crisis era.
- New fundamentals of Abu Dhabi real estate market.
- Opportunities in crisis time: making the most of the bear market cycle.
- Abu Dhabi and Gulf leading companies: strategies for riding the crisis.
Abu Dhabi Economic Forum is organized by Abu Dhabi government Department of Planning and Economy and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal group and Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
