Arab leader to address Arab League 3-02-05

US-ARAB ECONOMIC FORUM
Arab American Leader Nassser Beydoun to Address Foreign Ministers Meeting at Arab League
Focuses on Economic Reform in Time of Change

Contact: Maggie Essa 313-690-3032 or

Nasser Beydoun 313-523-1700

March 2, 2005 Detroit-Founder and Organizer of the US-Arab Economic Forum and Arab American leader Nasser Beydoun will address the annual gathering of Foreign Ministers at the League of Arab States in Cairo on Thursday, March 3, at 12-noon local time. Beydoun’s address marks only the second occasion an Arab American has been invited to address the League.

This annual League meeting comes at a historic juncture in the Arab world, following elections in Palestine and Iraq, the resignation of the Lebanese government and recent electoral reforms announced by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Beydoun’s remarks will focus on the benefits economic reform brings to the region at this critical time and U.S.-Arab relations.

Following his address to the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Beydoun, and a delegation representing the U.S.-Arab Economic Forum, will travel to Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Beirut and Amman to meet with government officials and business leaders.

The upcoming 2005 U.S.-Arab Economic Forum is supported by the U.S. Depts. of State and Commerce, the Arab League and the Gulf Co-operation Council. Organized by the American Middle-East Economic Affairs Committee it will bring more than 2000 business, community and political leaders from America and the Middle East to Houston from September 14-16 to focus on economic reform and improving economic ties between the U.S. and the Arab world. Information: http://www.usaeforum.org/index.asp.

Beydoun, who currently serves as President of Project Control Systems (PCSI), a Michigan based construction and project management company, previously served as executive director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce where he helped lead the Arab American business community to prominence on a regional, national and international arena. Today, he continues to serve on the Chamber’s board. Beydoun has also been appointed by the U.S. State Department as a “Citizen Diplomat” and as the first ever Arab American Liaison to the League of Arab States advising Secretary General Moussa on Arab American affairs. Crain’s Magazine named Beydoun one of “Detroit Business’ 40 under 40” and a “Newsmaker of the Year”.

US-Arab Economic Forum Organizers Ismael Ahmed, Executive Director of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), and Sam Hamdan, Chairman of Global Leadership Team a consulting firm specializing in strategic management will also address the Arab League’s Meeting of Foreign Ministers. Economic Forum sponsor Russ Ebeid, President of Guardian Glass, the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of glass, will discuss the role of business in regional economic reform during the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Media interested in covering Nasser Beydoun’s address or the visit of the Economic Forum delegation may reach Nasser Beydoun at 313-523-1700 or by email Nasser.beydoun@pcsiglobal.com..
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