13TH WIEF Begins Tuesday, PM Najib to Deliver Opening Address

By Zairina Zainudin, Nurul Hanis Izmir & Harizah Hanim Mohamed KUCHING (Sarawak), Nov 20 (Bernama) -- The much-anticipated 13th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) is set to kick off here Tuesday with the Prime Minister Najib Razak as the patron to deliver the official opening remarks. The three-day event will also see Sarawak state Chief Minister Dr Abang Johari Openg delivering a special address to some 2,000 participants from more than 100 countries worldwide who are expected to attend the event. Among the leaders who will attend the forum include Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is also fondly known as Jokowi, Comoros President Azali Assoumani, Republic of Tatarstan President Rustam Nurgaliyevich Minnikhanov, and Republic of Ghana Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Themed ‘Disruptive Change: Impact and Challenges’, the WIEF will provide an excellent platform for deeper discussions on industry growth sectors through customised programmes, namely panel discussions, master classes, initiative room, exhibition, and business exchange. The annual forum would gather leading global government leaders, captains of industry, academicians, regional experts, professionals, corporate managers, policymakers, innovators, business leaders and investors from around the world to unlock the next phase of collaboration and growth against a new economic order, the organiser, WIEF Foundation, said in a press statement Sunday. This year’s edition will feature more than 40 speakers globally including Apple Inc co-founder Steve Wozniak. Numerous broad topics will be discussed during the forum, including Re-imagining an Inclusive Economic System; Mapping out Tomorrow's Business; Prospects of Fintech in Islamic Finance; Reconceptualising Education to Face the Fourth Industrial Revolution; and Fostering Entrepreneurship Amongst Women. As it is being held in Kuching, the 13th WIEF will also explore Sarawak-focused topics including the development of Sarawak’s digital economy, the development of the state as a premium tourist destination, and investment opportunities within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). Najib, who is also Finance Minister, is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts during the forum to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. He will also witness the exchange of memoranda of understanding and agreements between Malaysian and international companies. This year marked the sixth time Malaysia has hosted the forum since 2005, the first installation of WIEF, in Kuala Lumpur. Previous forums were held in Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. -- BERNAMA