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Iraqi politicians and economists will take part in the upcoming meetings of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East, scheduled to be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh from May 18-20, an informed source from the Iraqi embassy in Cairo said on Thursday.

"Adel Abdul Mahdi, the deputy prime minister, and a number of ministers concerned with economy and trade are expected to take part in the panels held during the forum," the source, who requested anonymity, told Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI).

The 2008 WEF will be organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Industry in the Sharm al-Sheikh resort, with the participation of official and unofficial figures, businessmen, and investors, the source noted. Invitations have been sent to heads of states and foreign and trade ministers from over 70 Arab and foreign countries, he added.

This year's summit will tackle several political-economic and development issues, with particular emphasis on the Middle East, according to the same source.

Among the issues on the summit's agenda are the achievement of stability in Iraq and the effect of international competition, particularly from huge forces like the United States, the European Union, China, Russia, and India on the Middle East, the source explained.

Challenges facing the tourism sector in the Middle East, the optimal use of resources, cash flows, the effect of the higher rates of inflation on local markets and the role of governments in handling the economic crisis are also on the agenda, he added.
 
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Geneva-based foundation whose annual meeting of top business leaders, national political leaders, and selected intellectuals and journalists is usually held in Davos, Switzerland. It was founded in 1971 by a business professor.