Conference. 5 April 2011 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates DRAFT AGENDA. Organised by

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1 Conference ASSESSING INVESTMENT POLICIES OF MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL Translating economic diversification strategies into sound international investment policies 5 April 2011 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates DRAFT AGENDA Organised by The MENA-OECD Investment Programme and The Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates Venue Hotel Fairmont Bab Albahr

2 Background The MENA-OECD Investment Programme was established in 2005 at the request of 18 economies from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It aims at improving the investment and business climate in the MENA region and to enhance regional economic integration through policy-dialogue and capacity-building. It manages five thematic working groups (investment, SME, tax, competitiveness and corporate governance) and several networks (Women s Business Forum, Responsible Business Conduct Forum and Business Council), all co-chaired by MENA and OECD countries. The Working Group on Investment Policies and Promotion, co-chaired by Japan and Jordan, helps MENA economies to develop open and transparent investment policies and effective investment promotion strategies and activities through multi-stakeholder dialogue, experience-sharing and capacity-building in the region, with the support of OECD countries and other partners. Based on the regular assessment of investment policies and promotion strategies of the MENA economies by the Working Group, the MENA-OECD Investment Programme launched a more in-depth study for the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The stocktaking analysis on assessing investment policies of the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) is a study of policy and legal frameworks for international investment. Outline: Economic and FDI overview and diversification policies in the GCC countries Methodology of the analysis (based on OECD instruments) Assessment of investment policies by country through a number of key indicators: Restrictions to national treatment Approval procedures Admittance of foreign personnel Transfer of funds Land restrictions Guarantees against expropriation International investment agreements International arbitration Overview of the investment promotion agencies of the GCC countries GCC investment-related instruments and policies Private sector perception on the investment climate in the GCC countries Conclusions on the main international investment obstacles and policy recommendations Objectives of the conference: Establish a consultative process among GCC members and key stakeholders on how to translate national diversification strategies into sound international investment policies. Justification: Economic diversification can be enhanced through the promotion of international and regional investments. It is widely recognised that international and regional investments are effective tools to expand productive capacity, job creation, know-how and transfer of technology. A conducive and predictable strategic, institutional and legal framework is an important component to attract these high-value added investments that better serves the economic interests and development objectives of a country. Participants: Government officials dealing with international investment issues, investment treaty negotiators, officials from investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, regional organisations, private sector representatives and academia.

3 Conference ASSESSING INVESTMENT POLICIES OF GCC COUNTRIES Translating economic diversification strategies into sound international investment policies DRAFT AGENDA The sessions will be introduced and moderated by the MENA-OECD Investment Programme (Dr. Alexander Böhmer, Head of the Programme and Dr. Marie-Estelle Rey, Policy Analyst). The conference will be interactive and participants will be invited to engage in the discussions. 08:30-09:00 Registration Tuesday 5 April :00-09:30 Opening remarks H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ahmad Bin Abdulaziz Alshihi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates Dr. Alexander Böhmer, Head, MENA-OECD Investment Programme 09:30-10:30 Overview of key economic diversification and international investment strategies in the region This session will discuss how international and regional investments enhance economic diversification in the Gulf countries. Parallel to economic conditions, development strategies, sectoral plans, conducive investment environment and effective communication are key to boost economic diversification and FDI. Participants will be encouraged to share their views and highlight key success factors in their respective countries. 10:30-11:30 Key findings of the stocktaking study on assessing investment policies of the GCC countries This session will summarize the main conclusions of the study. Discussions with participants will provide the basis for enriching the study and an opportunity to consider national perspectives and the way ahead.

4 Assessment of the key components of the international investment policies Restrictions to national treatment Approval procedures Admittance of foreign personnel Transfer of funds Land restrictions Guarantees against expropriation International investment agreements, including GGC instruments International arbitration 11:30-12:00 Coffee Break 12:00-13:00 Private sector perception on the investment climate in the GCC countries Results of the questionnaire sent to foreign investors will be briefly presented. Representatives from the private sector will be then invited to share their views and perspectives on the investment climate and policy challenges. 13:00-14:00 Tour de table Participants will discuss how investment policies can better support economic diversification strategies and express their views on the way forward. 14:00-14:30 Conclusions 14:30 Lunch This session will present the conclusions of the meeting and discuss future work.

5 Key Contacts OECD Secretariat 2, rue André-Pascal Paris Cedex 16, France Fax: (33) Dr. Alexander Böhmer Head, MENA-OECD Investment Programme, Private Sector Development Division Tel.: (33) , alexander.boehmer@oecd.org Ds. Marie-Estelle Rey Policy Analyst and Project Coordinator, MENA-OECD Investment Programme Tel.: (33) , marie-estelle.rey@oecd.org Ms. Sophie Wernert Policy Analyst, MENA-OECD Investment Programme Tel.: (33) , sophie.wernert@oecd.org Mr. Joshua Yeremiyew Events Coordinator, MENA-OECD Investment Programme Tel.: (33) , joshua.yeremiyew@oecd.org Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates Dr. El Hassan Jouaouine Senior Advisor for International Economic Relations Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates Tel.: , Fax: HJouaouine@economy.ae Ms. Dina Nabih Mroueh Undersecretary Ministry of Economy Office Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates Tel.: , Fax : dmroueh@economy.ae