Minister of Economy Heads UAE Delegation to Ninth Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 02 September, 2014 – The UAE Ministry of Economy marked a high level participation at the two day ninth Bled Strategic Forum that concluded today (2 September) in Slovenia. Led by His Excellency Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, the UAE delegation comprised leading trade representatives from the private and public sector.

Bled Strategic Forum is a project of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. Organized jointly by the Slovenia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for European Perspective, the forum has grown into a successful platform for high-level strategic debate on topical issues facing the international community.  
The latest edition of the event themed ‘The Power of Trust’ gathered high profile figures representing countries and international organizations, in addition to specialists and academia.  

His Excellency Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, said: “The UAE government is always keen to connect with world leaders, decision makers and experts to benefit from international expertise and knowledge in developing our country and nation.”

“Our participation at the ninth Bled Strategic Forum comes as part of this priority. The UAE’s engagement at the forum includes a series of key sessions that discuss medium and long term economic challenges and solutions. The digital economy, as well as research and development policies are our primary focus areas.” 

On the sidelines of the forum, His Excellency Al Mansouri met with Karl Erjavec, Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss collaboration opportunities through investments in vital sector such as aviation, telecommunication, ports and tourism. Al Mansouri invited the Slovenian minister to attend the Annual Investment Meeting 2015 in the UAE along with an investment delegation.     

The 2014 edition of the Bled Strategic Forum included sessions on the ‘Philosophy of Leadership’, ‘Potential of Trust’, ‘Global Demographic Change - Another Threat or Opportunity’, ‘Contemporary Threats: Cyber-Security – Global Challenge and Opportunity’, ‘The Spirit of Central Europe’, and the ‘Digital Economy and the Power of Tourism’.