The goal of holding this 2nd forum was to provide a high-profile and global perspective on competitiveness that simultaneously increased the visibility of the Kingdom’s efforts and further developed the competitiveness forum series.

The event was designed to be a premier gathering of thought leaders and innovators who would then go on to participate in the World Economic Forum. The main theme, “Competitiveness as an Engine for Economic Growth”, aimed to draw attention to the macroeconomics benefit of competitiveness and to position competitiveness as a key global challenge.

The forum attracted internationally recognized leaders to speak and participate. Subthemes from education to entrepreneurship, and infrastructure to innovation, were designed around various aspects of competitiveness to create the appropriate platform for discussion by experts, corporate leaders, political leaders, NGOs, academics, and other stakeholders.

The forum spread over 12 sessions addressing various topics on competitiveness and held by international speakers: Professor Michael Porter from Harvard University; Dr. John Quelch, Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School; Professor Stephan Garelli, Director IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook; Professor Jane Nelson, Senior Fellow and Director of CSR Initiative, Harvard University; Dr. Amory Lovins, Chairman, Rocky Mountain Institute; and Mr. Lee Kuan Yew (pictured above), former President of Singapore.

The two-day conference resulted in a series of recommendations that even the most competitive countries in the world can apply to enhance productivity and prosperity.