For the 12th consecutive year, the Arab Economic Forum (AEF) will be held in Beirut, Lebanon on 11-12 May 2006 with the participation of more than 1100 high profile government and business leaders from 35 countries.

This year's meeting comes amidst an unprecedented economic boom in the region fuelled by high oil price and accelerated spending on a broad and ambitious range of new infrastructure, oil and gas, heavy industry and real estate projects which is expected to exceed US $1 trillion over the next ten years.

AEF offers a unique platform for regional and global business and government leaders to discuss trends and developments in the Arab countries, which constitutes an increasingly important economic bloc, with combined population of more than 260 million and a GDP of more than $900 billion.

AEF 2006 will once again focus on an array of vital issues, including the following:

• How will the current oil boom shape the economic future of the Arab countries?
• Will the oil boom slow or speed up reform?
• Arab multinationals: A myth or reality?
• The Road Ahead for Arab Equity Markets
• Arab banking: Risks and opportunities in funding the boom
• Global investing in 2006
• Outlook of private equity in the region

The 12th Arab Economic Forum is sponsored by: Credit Suisse, National Commercial Bank, BankMed, EMAAR, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, MTC Group, Energy City Qatar, Boeing, Audi Bank - Saradar Group, Man Investments, BLC Bank, Gulf Capital, Byblos Bank S.A.L., Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX), Cadillac, IDAL, Fransabank, Credit Libanais, Bank of Beirut.

AEF is organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal and the Central Bank of Lebanon in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank and the Association of Banks in Lebanon.