Provisional programme
The economy of the Maghreb – a motor for regional
prosperity and integration
Wednesday 11 – Friday 13 July 2012 | WP1107
This conference will address ways of developing the Maghreb’s economic potential
and encouraging intra-regional co-operation. It will include representatives of all
five Maghreb countries, providing opportunity for highly focused, inter-active
discussion aimed at generating fresh, forward-looking policy ideas and encouraging
follow-up action.
The format of the meeting will be a residential 48 hour gathering of senior regional
figures, economic experts and business representatives at Wiston House, Wilton
Park’s country house headquarters within easy reach of London and international
airports.
The discussions will be promoted by key note presentations from senior figures
from the region to enhance knowledge of the Maghreb and provide a basis to
explore wider economic perspectives; examine ways to enhance sectorial cooperation, and address opportunities for business and inward investment
challenges, with particular focus on the energy and financial sectors.
Issues to be addressed include creating the right climate for business and
investment, promoting broad-based participation in economic development and
developing human resources.
In association with British Embassies in the Maghreb; Foreign and Commonwealth
Office with support from Shell and Unilever
(*Speakers to be confirmed)
Wednesday 11 July
1300-1430
Participants arrive and buffet lunch available
1500
Welcome and introduction
Richard Burge
Chief Executive, Wilton Park, Steyning
060712
1515-1645
Keynote opening session:
The economy of the Maghreb: harnessing the potential
Alistair Burt
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Middle East and North Africa,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London
Youssef Amrani
Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, Rabat
Abdelkader Messahel
Minister Delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs of Algeria, Algiers
1645-1730
Photograph followed by tea/coffee
1730-1900
2. Economic perspectives: promoting broad-based prosperity
Chair: George Joffe
Research Fellow, Department of Political and International Studies (POLIS), University of
Cambridge; Visiting Professor of Geography, King’s College, London
Keynote address: Alaya Bettaieb
Secretary of State at the Ministry of Development and International Cooperation of the
Republic of Tunisia, Tunis
Anna Stupnytska
Executive Director, Macro Economist, Goldman Sachs Asset Management International,
London
Jo Beall
Director, Education and Society, British Council, London
1900
Reception followed by dinner
Keynote address: Habib ben Yahia, Secretary General of the Arab Maghreb Union,
Rabat
Thursday 12 July
0800-0900
Breakfast
0900-1030
3. Maghreb regional and sectorial co-operation: opportunities and
challenges
Chair: Adela Gooch
Programme Director, Wilton Park, Steyning
*Boutheina Cheriet
Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Algiers University,
Algiers
Karim Hajji
Director General, Casablanca Stock Exchange, Casablanca
1030-1100
Tea/coffee
1100-1230
4. Creating the right climate for business: encouraging inward
investment and entrepreneurship
Chair: Claire Spencer
Head of Middle East, North Africa Department, Chatham House, London
Anthony O’Sullivan, Head of Division, Private Sector Development, Directorate for
Financial and Enterprise Affairs, OECD, Paris
James Todd
Managing Director, Unilever Maghreb, Casablanca
Ann Wyman
Senior Advisor, Gatehouse Advisory Partners; Managing Director and member of the
Board, Maxula Bouse, Tunis
1245-1500
Lunch
1350-1450
Optional tour of Wiston House Gardens led by:
Robert Mitchell, Kew Dip.
Head Gardener, Wiston House, Steyning
1500-1630
5. Creating the right conditions for business and investment
Chair: Adela Gooch
Programme Director, Wilton Park, Steyning
Keynote address: Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al Madani
President, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah
Amani Abou-Zeid
Resident Representative, African Development Bank, Rabat
Key sectors:
i) Finance
Omar Shaikh
Board Member, Islamic Finance Council UK, Glasgow
Robert Gray
Executive member, HSBC Middle East Board
1630-1700
Tea/coffee
1700-1830
6. Creating the right conditions for business and investment
Key sectors
ii) Energy – renewable energy and “green growth”
Alan Riley
Professor of Law, City Law School, City University, London
Mark Liebster
GM Upstream - North Africa, Tunisia Country Chairman, Shell, Tunis
Karen Hamilton
Vice President Sustainability, Unilever, London
1900
Reception followed by BBQ (weather permitting)
Friday 13 July
0800-0850
Breakfast
0850-1030
7. Economic empowerment: trade and development for future
prosperity
Lord Stephen Green
Minister of State for Trade and Investment, London
Sidi Ould Bibka Tah
Minister of Economic Affairs and Development of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania,
Nouakchott
*Saad Benabdellah
Director General, Maroc Export, Rabat
1030-1100
Tea/coffee
1100-1230
8. Closing session:
Regional prosperity and integration: the way forward
Chair: Adela Gooch
Programme Director, Wilton Park, Steyning
Fatallah Sijilmassi
Secretary General, Union for the Mediterranean, Barcelona
David Geer
Deputy Head of Division, Maghreb, European External Action Service, Brussels
1245
Lunch
1400
Participants depart
This is a preview programme and as such may be subject to change.
This conference is open to those with expertise to share or an interest in the theme; our aim is to have a broad spread of nationalities and
institutions represented. Participation is by invitation – requests will be considered.
Enquiries about participation and local travel to: Wendy Head, Conference Delivery Manager
Wilton Park, Wiston House, Steyning, West Sussex. BN44 3DZ
Telephone: +44 (0)1903 817695 Fax: +44 (0)1903 815244Email: [email protected]
Enquiries about the programme to: Adela Gooch, Programme Director
Wilton Park, Wiston House, Steyning, West Sussex. BN44 3DZ
Telephone: +44 (0)1903 817680 Fax: +44 (0)1903 879231 Email: [email protected]