Esteemed Audience,
Brothers and Sisters,
Peace Be Upon You and God's Mercy and Blessings
We have the pleasure in the State of Qatar to host the Arab Banks Federation Conference at which an elite of Arab economists and bankers meet at the initiative of the Arab Banks Federation and with full support by the State of Qatar and its various institutions. As you are aware, the State of Qatar, through the direct guidance and wise leadership of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, has been exerting all possible efforts to support common Arab action.

Brothers and Sisters,
You are all aware that the Arab world during the present period of our common history is facing major challenges, foremost of which is meeting sustainable development needs for the purpose of eliminating poverty and backwardness. This is the most important challenge. It requires organization of our ranks and setting our priorities as well as adoption and implementation of social, economic and political policies that ensure progress in a serious and efficient manner. You definitely know that such approach depends not only on the availability of resources but also on following the course of political reform and consolidating the rules of wise governance as well as the resulting methods of accountability, transparency and combating corruption.
Statements on high rates of economic growth and improvement of the total figures of Arab payments balances, mainly attributed to the rising prices of basic commodities in the world market, should not lead us to ignore the aspects of weakness in economic performance from the sustainable development perspective.

Brothers and Sisters,
We in the State of Qatar appreciate the great importance of what this conference can offer in terms of important recommendations to enhance the march of common Arab action in the economic field.
Hence, the big question raised by your conference "What do bankers and investors recommend?" deserves serious efforts on our part to provide ample replies that assist Arab leaders at their coming summit to adopt all that is useful and necessary for the development and progress of our economy. Since we are a single nation, we should also recall how economic integration projects were the starting point for Europe to achieve unity and political rapprochement, in spite of clear differences among European countries in terms of race, language and politics.
Today, you shoulder a major responsibility in the projection of the future and exploration of success prospects for our nation. We hope that you will discuss all that may overcome obstacles that impede our success in catching up with developed countries.
Thank you and I wish you a good stay in Qatar, your second homeland.
Wa salamu alaykum wa rahmatulah wa barakatuh.