U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Opportunities Forum
Chicago, Illinois
April 27-29, 2010
The U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council, in collaboration with the Committee for International Trade, hosted the U.S.-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum that took place in Chicago, Illinois on April 27-29, 2010. This high-level gathering of senior officials and corporate leaders from Saudi Arabia and the United States was designed to increase understanding and business interchange between the two nations. More than 1,100 people attended the Forum. The Forum featured Davos-style panels, keynote addresses, and concurrent breakout sessions. The event drew broad media coverage and contained successful networking opportunities with an emphasis on the unprecedented trade and investment opportunities now available in Saudi Arabia. Below are some of the highlights of the event and additional information for attendees.
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia - A New Economic Order from US-Saudi Forum on Vimeo.
April 28, 2010 Luncheon — Expanding U.S.-Saudi Trade in a Competitive World from US-Saudi Forum on Vimeo.
Global Energy Interdependence, Global Responsibilities from US-Saudi Forum on Vimeo.
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What the Participants are Saying
“I was extremely impressed by the success of the U.S.-Saudi Business Opportunities Forum and was proud that The Cohen Group was a Forum sponsor. I believe that the Forum was a tremendous opportunity to facilitate long-term partnerships between the United States and the Kingdom. The high-level participation was extremely impressive and I look forward to continuing to support the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council’s continued efforts.”
William S. Cohen
Chairman & CEO
The Cohen Group
“I am grateful to the organizers, the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council. My job requires me to travel around the world and participate in many conferences and this was a very unique conference. In my recent experience, I have not been to a conference where such an opportunity to network was provided. The old fashioned way of getting to know each other face-to-face is still important and that opportunity was created at this conference at a very, very successful rate.”
The Honorable Bijan R. Kian
Member, Board of Directors
Export-Import Bank of the United States
“One should never underestimate the value of gatherings such as this, which seek to support and encourage the better understanding of one another. As we all know only too well, there is always more we can do to bridge the gap.”
Dr. Lama Al-Sulaiman
Vice Chairman
Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
View Forum Presentations, Speeches and Recaps
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia: A New Economic Order
Global Energy Interdependence, Global Responsibilities
Keynotes: Expanding U.S.-Saudi Trade in a Competitive World
The Honorable Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce
Keynote Speech
Strategies to Promote Economic Growth/Saudi Industrial Strategy
Joseph Fuller, Co-Founder and CEO, Monitor Group
“The National Industrial Strategy of Saudi Arabia”
Eng. Azzam Shalabi, President, Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Cluster Development Program
"The Era of New Manufacturing in Saudi Arabia"
Education: Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to its Future
Dinner Keynotes
H. E. Adel Al-Jubeir, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America
Keynote Speech
The Honorable General James B. Smith, United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Keynote Speech
Panel 1: Opportunities in the Energy Sector
Michael Dolan, Senior Vice President, ExxonMobil
“U.S. Opportunities In Saudi Arabia’s Energy Sector”
Munir Rafie, Vice President of Materials Supply, Saudi Aramco
“Opportunities in Oil & Gas”
Peter Oosterveer, Group President, Energy and Chemicals, Fluor Corporation
PowerPoint Presentation
Jeffrey S. Merrifield, Senior Vice President, Shaw’s Power Group
“Shaw: A World of Solutions”
Panel 2: Opportunities in Water and Electricity
Ali Saleh Al-Barrak, President and CEO, Saudi Electricity Company
“Business Opportunities in the Saudi Power Sector”
Anant K. Upadhyaya, Senior Vice President, Aquatech International
“Water: The Elixir of Life”
Panel 3: Meeting Saudi Arabia’s Infrastructure Needs
Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad, Deputy Governor for Investment Affairs, SAGIA
“10x10”
Mohammad Bajba, Deputy Executive Director, Ma'aden Aluminum Project
“Saudi Arabian Mining Company”
Panel 4: Opportunities in Downstream Petrochemicals
Ahmed Suliman Al Rajhi, Vice Chairman, Al Rajhi Group
“Attractive Investment In Down Stream Business”
Special Workshop: Saudi Arabia's Agricultural Initiative
Panel 5: Building a Knowledge-based Society
Panel 6: Finance and Investment
Kholood Al-Dukheil, Founding Share Holder, Board Member and Executive Vice President, Al Dukheil Financial Group
“Financial Sector Overview”