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Valletta Forum 2008

The Valletta Forum 2008, entitled "Union for the Mediterranean: Technology Project Investment and Financing" was held between December 15 and 16 at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Malta.

The highly successful Forum was opened by the Prime Minister of Malta Dr. Lawrence Gonzi and was addressed by major local and international dignitaries, including: Commissioner Dr. Joe Borg (European Commission); Minister George Pullicino (MRRA, Malta); Prof. Guido de Marco (President Emeritus, Malta); Amb. Gamal Bayoumi (Secretary General, Arab Investors Union, Egypt); Mr. Gilles Mentre (Secretary General, Task Force on the Mediterranean, Presidency of the French Republic); Mme. Khedija Ghariani (Secretary General, AICTO, Egypt); Ms. Carla Montesi (Unit Head, EuropeAid Co-Operation Office, Brussels); Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar (President, ASTF, UAE); Amb. Magdy Hefny (Director, RENEW, Egypt); amongst others.

Regional experts gave their opinions and advice on a number of topics related to the UfM, and project selection and financing, in the process identifying key items which needed to be addressed by the UfM initiative. The main program topics included:
  • Union for the Mediterranean - key insights in to contemporary EuroMed regional dynamics with an introduction to the UfM initiative: the current state of affairs; opportunities for the region and regional players; challenges to successful implementation; the way forward
  • UfM Technology Sectors and Projects - state-of-play of the short list of technology sectors and projects identified under the umbrella of the UfM; potential gaps between the proposed UfM projects and other pressing technology / sectorial needs of the region
  • UfM Technology Project Investment and Financing - new project funding opportunities; opinions on the funding of UfM technology projects; advice on regional funding opportunities
The Forum received wide media coverage (National TV and National / International Press) and Forum results were supplied to decision makers in Brussels and elsewhere for their consideration.
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