Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, Rachid Mohamed Rachid, signed a protocol with the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Andr Schneider, to host the WEF 2008 in Egypt for the second time in a row, from the 17th to the 19th of May.

Following the signing ceremony of the agreement, Rachid stated that the 2008 forum, which is scheduled to be held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh, will focus on trade relations between the Middle East and the European Union. Rachid said the Egyptian government, who once hosted the WEF on the Middle East 2006 at the same venue, will exert its utmost efforts to ensure the success of the WEF 2008.

The WEF 2008 was slated to beheld at Sharm El Sheikh in May 2008, during which a large number of world leaders and businessmen are expected to participate in the international event.

The Geneva-based WEF is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.