JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- For the seventh consecutive year, the city of Jeddah is preparing to host some of the most influential figures in the world. They will include heads of state and international decision-makers, renowned economists and media personalities, leading businessmen and women, entrepreneurs, and academics. They will gather for the Jeddah Economic Forum to be held from February 11-13, 2006, at the Hilton Hotel.

The premiere annual event in the Middle East, firmly established as a favorite fixture on the world events calendar, the Jeddah Economic Forum has been held annually since 2000, when Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government was the academic partner and former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and former British Prime Minister John Major were featured speakers. Subsequent years have seen the Forum's stature grow in prestige with an impressive roster of speakers including: HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York; H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan; H.E. Valcav Klaus, President of Czech Republic; H.E. Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal; H.E. Dato'Seri Abdullah Ahmed Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia; H.E. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan; H.E. Ghazi Al-Ghosaibi, Saudi Minister of Labor; H.E. Amr Musa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States; former U.S. President William J. Clinton; former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright; former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Helmut Kohl; former French President Valery Giscard D'Estaing; and the late Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri.

The Forum has also attracted HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, HRH Queen Rania of Jordan and HRH Crown Prince Salman Al-Khalifa of Bahrain. In 2004 the movie industry was included for the first time with the participation of big-screen Hollywood actors John Cusack and Chevy Chase.

The Jeddah Economic Forum has also witnessed attendance by Saudi royal family members and government officials including: HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America; HRH Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, Chairman of the Kingdom Holding Company; HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, Secretary General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism; HE Dr. Hashim Yamani, Minister of Commerce; HE Dr. Ghazi Al Gosaibi, Minister of Labor; HE Dr. Jubarah bin Eid Al Suraiseri, Minister of Transportation; and HE Abdullah Alireza, Minister of State.

The Forum is organized by the Jeddah Marketing Board that operates under the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Jeddah Economic Forum is headed by Chairman Amr Enany who stated, "From the very beginning we set out to establish the Jeddah Economic Forum as an event that would achieve international recognition and each year we have raised the bar to set even higher standards of excellence. Now we attract more than two thousand delegates from all around the globe who return every year to renew friendships, confer with colleagues and discuss the latest economic trends and issues."

Mr. Enany added that this year's Forum will be especially significant with the various progress and developments that the country has witnessed under the new leadership of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

With an ambitious vision to set the standards for national, regional and international economic events aimed at job creation, economic development and prosperity by addressing key economic challenges and opportunities, the Jeddah Economic Forum aspires to design a blueprint for the economic future for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region.

Under the patronage of HRH Prince Abdel Majeed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Mecca Region, the theme of Jeddah Economic Forum 2006 is 'Seeding Potentials for Economic Growth; Honoring Identity and Celebrating Common Grounds'.

Delegates will address the intricacies of social diversity that affect economic growth around the world, with the objective of counteracting a global 'one-size-fits-all' economy by first recognizing and honoring cultural identity and then identifying common grounds as building blocks for sustainable economic growth. Whether locally, regionally or globally, the Forum will highlight and celebrate achievements that are special and inspirational about the human quest for inclusion and participation in the building of one world and a prosperous tomorrow.

The city of Jeddah is a major sea port and the commercial hub of the Middle East. Situated along the beautiful Red Sea coastline and favored with a temperate climate, the city attracts visitors year-round and has world-class hotels and facilities for conferences and events. In this ideal setting, the Jeddah Economic Forum 2006 takes place during a period of renewed economic prosperity and promises to be a timely and engaging event. For more information on the Jeddah Economic Forum 2006 please visit the forum website: http://www.jef.org.sa. This press release can also be viewed at http://www.pressreleasenetwork.com/newsroom.