In anticipation of the Tenth Economic Forum, various media representatives were invited to an Iftar meal by the Jeddah Economic Forum in one of the more up-market restaurants along Jeddah's Corniche, Saturday. Saleh Al-Turki, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the JCCI, welcomed attendees by praising their role at the last Economic Forum and thanked Saudi media for its responsible coverage of the main economic issues. “People in charge know the influence of the media so they immediately work on any issue to avoid being questioned,” said Al-Turki. “We saw the media coverage of the flour shortage, which was both accurate and objective.” While the Ninth Economic Forum discussed the development of resources, the Tenth will discuss youth opportunities in the job market and ways to benefit from the vast oil income of the region. “None of us wish to see Saudi youth working for salaries of SR1,700. We require well-trained, not poorly-prepared, Saudi employees for the market,” Al-Turki said. “This year's Forum will discuss these issues and look for some possible solutions.” The Tenth Economic Forum will highlight the dynamic of the private sector which forms 89 percent of the free trade worldwide. The private sector in the Third World witnessed a 240 percent increase in foreign investment between 2000 and 2008, compared to a 70 percent increase in developed countries. Saudi and foreign businesswomen will constitute 20 percent of the Forum's attendees. __
