Introduction

Studies reveal that trade, commerce and investment are likely to increase between the GCC States of the Arabian Gulf in the light of the implementation of the Customs Union that has unified them.

The new economic climate in these countries, and all efforts made to increase foreign capital, have resulted in positive regulations, laws and a better understanding. The new streamlined regulations required moves that will provided for the movement of commodities and services between these countries. They will work to increase the opportunities for co-operation between the GCC States in the coming years since they were able to establish a broad institutional base that guided various economic activities, supported by an integrated system of laws, decisions and legislation.

The functioning of the economic process in a regulated way will help to a great extent to attract Arab and foreign investors who have found in each of these countries a safe refuge that provide them many encouraging and supporting features.

It is in this background that the idea of organizing the "First Investment Forum in the GCC States" under the slogan of "Economic Aspirations for a Common Future" organized by Etisal Event Management, Dubai – UAE, in cooperation with the company Media Line Event Management, Jeddah – Saudi Arabia, with the support of the Federation of GCC Chambers, in collaboration with Al Bayan UAE newspapers, and with the active participation of all investment sectors in both countries, from 3-4 March 2008, was born. It is expected that the publicity which will attend the event will be one of the largest and most important Media demonstrations in the region in recent times.