Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired a special overview meeting including members of the steering committee for 'Dubai 2003', the three-day annual congress of the board of governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, scheduled for September 2003.

After the hour-long session, Sheikh Mohammed carried out a brief tour of the construction site for the complex that is being built for the international forum on the campus of Dubai World Trade Centre.

President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Minister of State for Finance and Industry Dr Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash, Director of Dubai Ruler's Office Dr Khalifa Mohammed Ahmed, Director-General of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdul Rahman Al Mutaiwee, Director-General of Dubai Municipality Qassim Sultan, Director-General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Khalid Bin Sulayem and general coordinator of Dubai 2003 Ibrahim Belselah also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the need to ensure that the new facilities being built for Dubai 2003, are equipped to cope with future requirements.

Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai 2003 and the facilities were being built to attract more foreign investment and agreed that some legislation involving it had to be altered for greater response from investors.

He advised members of the steering group that instead of selecting one public relations company to carry out the promotions all over the world, various organisations be chosen in individual countries.

The facilities being built include a state-of-the-art convention centre, 25 meeting rooms, additional exhibition halls and hotels.