RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, January 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --



The Global Competitiveness Forum has a reputation for the high caliber of its speakers and panelists, and this year is no exception, with international and Saudi experts providing a broad spectrum of insight on this year's theme, 'Building Competitive Partnerships'.

Among the experts at the Riyadh event is Peter Robertson, the co-chairman of the US Saudi Arabian Business Council and formerly vice chairman of Chevron and chairman of the US Energy Association. Peter will be addressing the opportunities in the renewable energy sector, and exploring the role of government and the consumer in creating a 'greener' nation.

Taking part in a panel discussing Saudi-Chinese partnerships is independent economist, Dr Andy Xie. Andy, who began his career at the World Bank, is something of an economic fortune-teller: he predicted the bursting of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, the 2000 dotcom bubble and 2008 credit bubble, all of his predictions being published in influential publications worldwide. In 2013 Bloomberg magazine named him as one its top 50 most influential people worldwide.

Thoraya Ahmed Obaid is a pathfinder for Saudi women. A member of the Shura Council, she was appointed alongside 29 other Saudi women to ensure that women are participants in the Kingdom's decision-making. Thoraya is only the second Saudi woman to be awarded the King Abdul Aziz Medal, and was formerly Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. She will be taking part in the discussion 'Women Stimulating Economic Development'.

'Innovating the Education System' is the subject of a discussion featuring educationalist Ewan McIntosh. Ewan is the founder of NoTosh Limited, a Scottish-Australian company with a global reputation for researching and delivering new learning opportunities for some of the world's top creative companies and school districts. In 2010, he also launched the world's first iPad Investment Fund.

Offering his wisdom on 'Developing the appeal of a destination' is Hamad Abdulaziz Alsheikh, the Acting Vice President, Marketing and Programs for the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. As well as his expertise in travel and tourism, Hamad's 24-year career encompasses senior leadership roles in both the public and private sector, across marketing, banking and manufacturing.

For more information, go to: http://www.gcf.org.sa

Media enquiries:Nick Cashgcfe@alefinternational.com+966(0)114623632

SOURCE Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF)