afrol News, 3 May - The government of Egypt today said it would not let the recent terrorist attack on the holiday resort Dahab influence the planned organisation of the World Economic Forum on 20 May in Sharm El-Sheikh; another Egyptian tourist resort that was attacked in July last year. To the contrary - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will receive several state leaders personally in the popular resort.

The Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, Rasheed M Rasheed, yestrday told the press that "all preparations to host the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in Sharm El-Sheikh are now complete." The prestigious Forum was to be organised as originally planned.

According to the Egyptian government, President Hosni Mubarak personally is to open the Forum on 20 May. Attending will be more than 820 international guests, including several Heads of State and government as well as ministers and businessmen.

"Head of the forum, Carlos Showarb, is determined to hold the forum on time and without change of venue, given the Dahab incidents to send a message to the world that terrorism cannot impede economic development," the Cairo government said in a statement. For Egypt, it has been crucial to maintain normality after the terrorist attack.

While inspecting final preparations in Sharm El-Sheikh, Minister Rasheed added that Egypt's position on the world scene and its pivotal role in the region could "not be affected by terrorist acts, which are categorically rejected."

The Cairo government therefore also holds that the Forum "will give impetus to the Egyptian economy." Most of all, it will demonstrate that the popular Egyptian Red Sea coast remains a quiet, safe and luxury resort, welcoming travellers from all the world. Trade Minister Rasheed says he expects "the outcome of the meetings will be reflected on Egypt's economy in the years to come."

Also Klaus Schwab, the Executive Chairman of Davos World Economy Forum, has already confirmed that the Forum will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh as planned, defying the terrorist threat demonstrated in Dahab last week. Mr Schwab in a letter sent to the Egyptian government last week expressed the Forum's solidarity with the people of Egypt.

Several dossiers will be discussed at the Sharm El-Sheikh Forum; the nuclear arms race and the peace process at the fore. Minister Rasheed added that a number of symposia will be held on the sidelines of the forum to discuss major regional and international issues of interest to the participants.

Sharm El-Sheikh, along with Hurghada, are Egypt's main charter tourist destinations, especially popular to European sun-and-sea tourists during the northern winter. Several terrorist attacks on Egyptian holiday destinations during the last few years have caused temporal damage to the national tourism industry - one of Egypt's main economic sectors. The Red Sea destinations however have had a remarkable rapid recovery, given their unique climate and closeness to Europe.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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