Program Norwegian Risk Forum 2010

This year's topics:

Understanding the political environment in the Gulf region and Iraq

Opportunities and challenges for Norwegian businesses in the Gulf region and Iraq

How to meet CSR expectations in the Gulf region and Iraq

Three reasons why you should take part:

Expertise: Meet experts on Iraq and the Gulf-region such as Reidar Visser, Kyle Stelma, Theodore Karasik, Kevin Wheeler, Erik Wiken and Anne Skatvedt

Business opportunities: Meet and interact with representatives from Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Nielsen, Innovation Norway, political actors and diplomats as well as Norwegian business people and investors

Corporate Social Responsibility: Gain insight into challenges with corporate social responsibility in the Gulf-region and Iraq and possible solutions to humanitarian challenges

Norwegian Risk Forum Staff

Conference Director: Arne Elias Corneliussen, Chairman & CEO, NRCI
Conference Moderator: Celin Sandland, Political Advisor, NRCI

Preliminary Program:

Day 1: Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Part 1: Understanding the political environment in the Gulf region

08:30	Arrival and registration
09:00	Welcome and introductory remarks By Arne Elias Corneliussen Chairman & CEO Norwegian Risk Consulting International
09:30	Keynote Address By Rikke Lind State Secretary for The Minister of Trade and Industry Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry
10:00	Coffee and networking break
10:30	Political realities in the Gulf region and its implications By Dr. Theodore Karasik Director for Research and Development Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, INEGMA, Dubai
11:00	Arabic perspective and insights: How Norwegian businesses may have success in the Gulf-region By Dr. Belaid Rettab Senior Director – Economic Research & Sustainable Business Development Sector Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry
11:30	Buffet lunch

Part 2: Business opportunities and risk challenges in Iraq

12:30	The Political Dynamics behind Iraq's Next Government By Reidar Visser Research Fellow Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, Oslo
13:00	Current commercial and investment activity in Iraq By Kyle Stelma Managing Director Dunia Frontiers Consultants, Dubai
13:45	Coffee and networking break
14:15	Navigating the Government of Iraq: Identifying risks and setting realistic expectations for interacting with Iraq's largest institution By Dr. Kevin Wheeler Middle East Director The Kaizen Company, Baghdad
15:00	Panel debate: Political challenges and future business opportunities in Iraq Moderator: Dr. Theodore Karasik, Director for Research & Development, Institute for Near East & Gulf Military Analysis, Dubai Panelists: Reidar Visser, Research fellow, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, Oslo; Kyle Stelma, Emerging Markets Managing Director, Dunia Frontier Consultants, Dubai; Kevin Wheeler, Middle East Director, The Kaizen Company, Baghdad; Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director – Economic Research & Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry; More panelists will be added to the program
16:30	End day 1
19:00	Norwegian Risk Forum Dinner at Grand Café, Grand Hotel

Day 2: Thursday, November 11, 2010

Part 3: CSR challenges in the Gulf-region and Iraq

08:30	Arrival and registration
09:00	The Prospect for Renewing Higher Education in Iraq By Gary Gaffield - Via video from Washington, D.C. Director Iraqi University Linkages Program Academy for Education Development (AED), Washington D.C
09:15	Humanitarian challenges in the Gulf-region & Iraq - Some possible contributions towards solutions By Anne Skatvedt Senior Advisor UNICEF Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, Amman
09:45	Coffee and networking
10:30	Panel discussion - Challenges with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Gulf-region and Iraq Moderator: Vidar Lindefjeld, Assistant Director, Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise Panelists: Anne Skatvedt, UNICEF, Oslo; Erik Wiken, Commercial Consul, Royal Norwegian Consulate, Dubai & Director, Innovation Norway, UAE office; Dr. Kevin Wheeler, The Kaizen Company, Baghdad; More panelists will be added to the program
12:00	Buffet Lunch

Part 4: Business opportunities for Norwegian companies in the Gulf-region

13:00	Business opportunities for Norwegian businesses in the Gulf-region By Erik Wiken Commercial Consul, Royal Norwegian Consulate, Dubai & Director, Innovation Norway, UAE office
13:30	Business trends in the Gulf-region - Hot spots of Growth By George Mikaelian Managing Director Nielsen; Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan
14:00	Coffee and networking
14:30	Panel discussion: How Norwegian businesses may strengthen their position in the Gulf-region? Moderator: Kyle Stelma, Dunia Frontier Consultants, Dubai Panelists: Erik Wiken, Commercial Consul, Royal Norwegian Consulate, Dubai & Director, Innovation Norway, UAE office; George Mikaelian, Managing Director, Nielsen, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan; Liv Irene Loland, Commercial Manager, Master Marine, Oslo; More panelists will be added to the program
15:30	Final Thoughts By Arne Elias Corneliussen Chairman & CEO Norwegian Risk Consulting International
16:00	End of Norwegian Risk Forum 2010
16:30	Departure for international guests to Oslo International Airport

Program subject to change without prior notice - Program committee will provide additional recommendations