Enriching the Middle East's Economic Future Conference Opens

Doha, 09 (QNA) - HE Qatar's Minister of Economy and Finance, Yousef Hussein Kamal
has voiced optimism towards the future of the Arab area in view of the ongoing popular uprisings
demanding more freedom and development. However, he said patience was needed to reap the fruits, probably in more than a year or two.
Addressing the opening session of Enriching the Middle East s Economic Conference held on Monday evening at Sheraton Doha in parallel with the 11th Doha Forum For Democracy Development and Free Trade , the minister said it was an honour for Qatar to host the forum, in both its political and economic aspects, continuously for 10 years.
"Qatar hosts this year s Doha Forum For Democracy Development and Free Trade and Enriching the Middle East's Economic Future Conference amid great political changes in the region", the minister said.
Kamal said the event is held in different circumstances than previous years due to the recent deep economic and socio-political changes in a number of Arab countries.
Good will, good governance and long term-planning strategies are key elements to reinvigorate
economy, he said.
Kamal said education, health, economic development are also pillars for any economic reform.
"Unfortunately the proposals, which had been presented during the previous forums were not taken into consideration, which might explain the consequences being noted recently in a number of Arab countries", he said.
"There are no excuses to not prepare economic programs and strategies for the region", the
minister said , explaining the difficulty to implement economic reforms.
He put the accent on the responsibility assumed by the decision maker in terms of the importance of patriotism and good will aimed at establishing economic reforms, referring in this regard to Qatar's experience over the past 15 years.