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About FIRST

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FIRST Strategic Insight is a multidisciplinary international affairs organisation. Founded in 1984, it aims to enhance communication between leaders in industry finance and government worldwide and to promote strategic dialogue.

FIRST focuses on business strategy and government policy making. With a mission to bring decision makers together, it seeks to create business opportunities at the strategic level, and to provide a forum of influence.

This is achieved via three key channels: Publishing, Events and Roundtables and Awards.

FIRST works with Government departments to help promote, trade, investment and diplomatic engagement.

FIRST is a winner of a PPA Award for Publishing Excellence and received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise on two occasions in recognition of its success in international markets.

Management

Special Advisors

In Memoriam

Advisory Panel

Testimonials

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the Special Report on Kazakhstan. I have studied the magazine with interest. It clearly demonstrates the trade and investment possibilities of Kazakhstan. I wish you further success and prosperity

HE Nursultan Nazarbayev
President, Republic of Kazakhstan

I am grateful for the efforts made by FIRST in helping to reinforce the message about the potential for our two countries [Algeria and the UK] to work together, both through the special report and your involvement in the Business Forum in Algiers

Brian Wilson MP
Minister of State for Energy and Construction, United Kingdom

I would like to thank you and all the team at FIRST for the effort that was put into producing the Official Report about Costa Rica, in order to mark the visit of President Arias. I was delighted with the report and I know that both President Arias and Minister Stagno were also very impressed with the results. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to feature Costa Rica in a quality publication that is read by many influential people around the world

HE Mrs Pilar Saborio de Rocafort
Ambassador, Costa Rica

I have enjoyed working with [FIRST] on the petroleum issue and would certainly like to do more. Thank you for all your efforts

Daniel Yergin
Chairman, Cambridge Energy Research Associates

We are happy with the quality and contents of the magazine. It is very informative of important business and economic news on Tanzania. We will be happy to see Tanzania being covered in future FIRST issues

Emmanuel D Ole Naiko
Executive Director, Tanzania Investment Centre

I wish to extend my appreciation to you and your very able team at FIRST for the Special Report on the Philippines. The Special Report as well as the breakfast organised by FIRST provided an excellent venue to bring to the attention of the business community the wealth of investment opportunities in the Philippines

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President of the Philippines

His Excellency, President Amani Abeid Karumi appreciates your contribution to the promotion of Zanzibar through your magazine. We look forward to future cooperation with you any time you seek our assistance

Haroub S Moussa
Private Secretary to the President, Zanzibar

On behalf of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus I would like to express sincere gratitude for the marvellous meeting in London. The breakfast seemed to be very productive. The official report on Belarus has proved to be a real success raising worldwide awareness about my country. The Embassy of Belarus looks forward to further mutual cooperation

Aleksandr Mikhnevich
Ambassador, Belarus

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation on publishing this magnificent Saudi National day Edition. Wishing you and FIRST Magazine every success

HE Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The FIRST Report on Algeria’s Oil & Gas industry has been an excellent means of promoting our achievements and the many opportunities that the energy sector offers

HE Chakib Khelil
Minister of Energy and Mines, Algeria and President of OPEC

We are delighted with the report on Tanzania that you published in FIRST Magazine. It was well received in several quarters

JB Kimaro and T Mwakilema
Directorate of the Governor’s Office, Bank of Tanzania

I would like to express my appreciation for your publication of the special report on Russia. Especially, I would like to remark on your objectivity and professionalism in analyzing the current political and economic situation. I hope that the presented information will contribute to the improvement of Russia’s image and will have a positive impact on our country’s economic, social and cultural partnership with the world

Sergey Yastrzhembkiy
Aide to the President of the Russian Federation

Congratulations on a job well done

HE Vicente Fox
President, Mexico

We thank you very much for your effort in publishing this fascinating issue which we found very special, and I assure you that this model work is appreciated from all of us here in Saudi Arabia

HRH Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
The Minister of Defence and Aviation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Congratulations on the PPA Award. A publication which sets out to involve its ‘community’ in the writing, as well as the reading of its words, deserves to achieve recognition. Overall, I think that this edition provides a very stimulating experience and I am impressed with the range of subjects covered and the quality of contributions you have attracted

Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge
Chairman of British Airways and Chairman, Royal Institute of International Affairs

I would like to congratulate you on the special report published to mark the National Day of Saudi Arabia. I found the edition informative, bold and comprehensive. The interviews with Saudi leaders and several ministers also shed light on Saudi Arabia’s economic growth, development and strategic role in the prosperity of the region

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal
Chairman, Kingdom Holdings

Thank you so much for the hospitality at the breakfast that FIRST so kindly hosted. It was a most stimulating and enjoyable discussion. I was especially pleased that we were able to cover such a wide range of issues in our discussion and was greatly impressed with the breadth of FIRST’s contacts

Rt Hon William Hague
Former Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Thank you very much for organising such an informative dinner for the Algerian Delegation yesterday. I had a very informative and useful discussion with Mr Zouioueche who is pivotal in the liberalisation of the oil and gas sector. Congratulations for organising such a successful evening and thank you for including me

Sam Laidlaw
Executive Vice-President, Business Development, ChevronTexaco

I would like to thank you for preparing the Special Report on Rio de Janeiro on the occasion of my visit. The Special Report testifies to the standard of FIRST. I would like to thank you as well for the breakfast with British companies. Both initiatives gave me the opportunity to introduce the economy of the State of Rio de Janeiro to a distinguished audience. I would much appreciate your continued support in enhancing the cooperation between FIRST and the Government of Rio de Janeiro

Sergio Cabral
Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro