Dr Khelil Chakib, Algerian Minister of Energy and Mining, has confirmed that he will address the Commonwealth Business Forum 2005 (CBF 2005), due to take place at the Hilton Malta between 22 and 24 November.

Joining the 40 plus high profile business and political speakers who have already confirmed their participation in the CBF 2005, Dr Chakib will be speaking during the session “Oil and Gas – Opportunities in the Mediterranean” on Tuesday 22 November.

Today a veteran of the global oil industry, Dr Chakib began his career in the US arena. After gaining a Ph.D from Texas University in petroleum engineering Dr Chakib worked for Shell and Phillips Petroleum in Oaklahoma and DA McCord and Ass in Dallas, Texas.

In 1971 Dr Chakib returned to Algeria as Sonatrach Petroleum Engineering Department Head and President of Alcore, a joint venture between Sonatrach and Corelab. Dr Chakib joined the World Bank in 1980, carried out Petroleum Projects in Africa, Latin America and Asia, was Head of Energy Unit for Latin America, and finally Petroleum Adviser.

He took early retirement from the World Bank in October 1999 to become adviser to the President of Algeria and was subsequently named Minister of Energy and Mining.

Other speakers for this year’s Business Forum include Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner, John Smith, chairman of Shell (UK), Cyril Ramaphosa, chairman of South Africa’s Shanduka Group, Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International, Rahul Bajaj, chairman of Bajaj Auto, one of India’s largest automobile manufacturers, Professor Edward De Bono, inventor of the ‘Lateral Thinking’ concept, James Hogan, president and CEO of Gulf Air, Sam Di Piazza, Global CEO of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, to name just a few.

Many top level policy makers will also be speaking at the Commonwealth Business Forum 2005; the list of speakers includes such distinguished personalities as Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan, HE Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria, Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner, Peter Caruana, Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Donald McKinnon, Commonwealth Secretary General and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn among many others.

The Commonwealth Business Forum 2005 presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity for business people from the Commonwealth, Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East to network, exchange views and develop new business opportunities. Sectors and topics covered by the Forum include international trade and investment, globalisation and competitiveness, international travel, commercial transportation and international distribution, export manufacturing, banking and financial services, ICT and business process outsourcing, and much more.

Specifically planned to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), also being held in Malta in November, the theme of the 2005 Forum is “The Commonwealth, Europe and the Mediterranean – Window on Business Opportunities ”.

This year’s edition will focus on new opportunities for trade, investment and the formation of partnerships across these regions and beyond. The event provides a unique opportunity for delegates to meet and explore trade, investment and partnership opportunities, negotiate business with other international partners, and network with policy makers and business leaders from five continents.

The potential of the Forum to increase exposure and business opportunities was immediately recognised by a number of leading Maltese companies and organisations which will be supporting the event through sponsorship and strategic partnership agreements. HSBC Malta and Malta Enterprise are two of the principle sponsors, while BOV, Maltacom, Farsons, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the Malta Financial Services Authority and the Malta Tourism Authority are all supporting the event.

Registering for the Commonwealth Business Forum

Delegate booking for the Forum has already begun, and Maltese delegates are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. Booking is simple… go to www.cbcglobelink.org/cbf2005 and follow the instructions for registrations.

Your booking will entitle you to attend all sessions of the Forum, focused networking lunches on all three days, two Gala Dinners and access to CBF Networking opportunities. Spouses are welcome to attend the Gala dinners, and bookings for either or both of the two evenings can be made by following the link on the forum website or going directly to www.ecmeetings.com/cbf2005.

Once your registrations have been processed, you will receive an invoice for the relevant amount. Payment can be made by credit card on-line, by bank transfer, or by cheque. For further assistance or queries, please call Blanche Gatt on 9989 6252 or e-mail to [email protected].

For more information and details plus full instructions on how to register please visit www.cbcglobelink.org/cbf2005