On the sidelines of the conference, the organizers launched the Economic Freedom of the Arab World 2008 Annual Report, which once more ranks the economic freedom in 13 of the 22 Arab nations. Free copies of this report in the English and the Arabic language are available at FNF’s Regional Office in Cairo. Among the participants were senior representatives of entrepreneurs’ associations and partners of the Foundation from Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

"Enhancing economic freedom in the Arab world and promoting the networking of entrepreneurs and their associations in the region are important objectives of our educational activities," said FNF’s Regional Director Dr. Ronald Meinardus. Speaking on behalf of the Fraser Institute Fred McMahon, Director of the Centre for Globalization Studies, stated "economic freedom is the prerequisite for growth and development.” He also said that "economic freedom eventually opens the door to other freedoms".

According to participants, in many Arab countries social inequalities are on the rise. This, they argued, poses a challenge for the supporters of economic liberalization and economic freedom. Said Dr. Ashraf Sheta, Board Member of the Egyptian Junior Business Association: "If the people see benefits through market economy, they will worship market economy. If, however, that does not happen they will worship communism or religious fundamentalism."