Chairman and Managing Director of Oil Development Company (ODC), Mr. Hashim Al-Rifaai, participated in the third “Arab Broadcast Media Forum” held at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on the 4th & 5th of May 2008, and which was attended by major Arab and International personalities in the fields of Media, Economy and Politics.

Mr. Al-Rifaai has highly contributed to the session discussing the “Oil Media”, which was produced by “Ibsar Holding” and managed by the director of “CNBC Arabia’ in Kuwait Najwa Assran. In that session, ODC Chairman stressed that Oil is considered as a national strategic commodity and wealth in Kuwait, and for that it is run under the direct control of the State.
 
He said that Oil is owned to the State in Kuwait because it is related to the national wealth as mentioned by the Kuwaiti constitution, which means that all the information related to Oil are considered as secrets of the State, so it is so hard to deal with the Media seeking for detailed and accurate information and data in this regard.
 
Mr. Al-Rifaai added that the Oil business is not getting the appropriate media coverage regarding some specific parts, but in return it is getting a special coverage in relation to changeable prices and economic analysis. Following the conclusion of the Forum, Mr. Al-Rifaai and other participants, visited Al Bahr Palace, where they were welcomed by his Highness the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayid Al Nhayyan, who urged the Arab Media to activate its role and invest in serving the causes of the Arab world.

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