JEDDAH, Sept 27: Over a thousand businessmen and industrialists from across the Muslim world have registered to participate in the 9th International Business Forum, which begins here on Oct 2.

“The business forum is a great opportunity for Saudi as well as GCC businessmen to enter into trade deals with 600 importers and exporters from Europe, Asia and Africa by directly meeting them,” Ghassan Al-Sulaiman, Chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told a press conference here on Tuesday.

“Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Makkah Region, will inaugurate the forum,” he said.

“It is a true business opportunity to form contacts and do business in 15 major trade and industrial sectors,” he said and added: “On the sidelines of the IBF, around 100 local and international companies will display their products or services through the unique catalogue show,” Al-Sulaiman said.

He also noted that amongst the delegates are ministers and policymakers from several Muslim countries.

The forum presents a unique opportunity to businessmen from the Islamic world to interact with their counterparts in sectors such as tourism, transportation, food and beverages, heavy industries, mining, building industry, textiles and garments, etc.

The 9th International Business Forum, which is themed “Intra-OIC Trade: Challenges and Opportunities”, is being organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, the Islamic Development Bank and the Organization of Islamic Conference.

“The forum provides opportunities to Saudi and GCC businessmen to meet with their counterparts from Turkey, Russia, Iran, Switzerland, Pakistan, Australia, Jordan, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt,” he said.