The Dubai International Financial Centre launches DIFC Week

Attended by leading businessmen and decision makers from across the regional and international financial industry, the week will include a selection of innovative seminars presented by Hawkamah Institute of Corporate Governance, Gulf Venture Capital Association, KPMG, Financial Times, MEED and Euromoney.

His Excellency, Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC, said:
"In only its second year of operation, the DIFC has grown and is comprised of leading international and regional institutions who are leaders in their industries. Their presence contributes significantly to the region's economies, providing the expertise and access to capital needed to sustain growth and ensure future prosperity. The DIFC Week provides a definitive forum for existing and potential firms to learn more about the key growth areas for financial services in the MENA region".

DIFC Week will run in the last week of the month of November 2006 and provides delegates with an opportunity to hear from government advisers, policy makers and business leaders about economic and financial market dynamics within the MENA region.

The agenda for the five day event is as follows:

• 26-27 November: Corporate Governance in the Middle East and North Africa Region
A conference on building sound and efficient financial markets and banking systems in the region, hosted by Hawkamah, the Institute for Corporate Governance. Hawkamah is a regional entity whose mission is to assist the countries and companies of the wider MENA region in developing sound and globally well-integrated corporate governance frameworks and practices. Register at www.hawkamahconference.org

• 28 November: Middle East Private Equity/Venture Capital Report
First Annual Private Equity and Venture Capital Report on private equity and trends in the Middle East launched by the Gulf Venture Capital Association and KPMG. Register at www.gulfvca.org

• 29 November: Financial Times Fund Management Conference
The world's most authoritative financial newspaper hosts this must-attend conference for funds and asset managers interested in tapping the region's growing high net worth investor pool. Register at www.ftconferences.com/difc

• 29 November: MEED Infrastructure Finance in the MENA Region
With over US$1 trillion of infrastructure projects planned in the GCC region alone, demand for financing is at an all time high. This conference will discuss the emerging trends and opportunities. Register at www.meed.com/difc

• 30 November: The Euromoney DIFC Annual Conference - Managing Superabundant Liquidity
This conference will explore the opportunities presented by superabundant regional liquidity, the causes of this phenomenon and the risks associated with it. It will also look at where this liquidity is invested, what regional investors are seeking and the role of investment banks.

His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, added: "As host to this prominent week of conferences, which will highlight the region's potential for growth to investors in the financial sector, the DIFC looks forward to highlighting regional potential for growth. Compelling industry topics provides a real opportunity for speakers, participants and delegates to share their views on economies and markets in the MENA region and gain insight from some of the world's leading experts. The value presented by DIFC Week and potential for the regional financial industry and its professionals will be immense and we are certain this will set a precedent for the financial industry".

Dr. Nasser Saidi, Executive Director of Hawkamah, the Institute for Corporate Governance and Chief Economist of DIFC, said: "The findings from our recent GCC corporate governance survey, produced together with the IIF, highlight the fact that the region's policy makers have to act to remedy the region's 'gap' in corporate governance compared to international standards. This conference provides an opportunity for delegates to gain insight from some of the world's leading experts on corporate governance and contribute toward the Dubai Declaration on Corporate Governance, to be issued on day two".

Richard Banks, Director, Middle East, Euromoney Conferences, said: "We are delighted that once again Euromoney and the DIFC are working together to create the single most important date in Dubai's financial calendar. Our conference, now in its second year, brings together the strongest names in the business as partners, sponsors and participants.

"This year we will discuss the implications of superabundant regional liquidity. With insight and comment from, amongst others, Brad Setser, Head of Global Research at Roubini Global Economics, David Eldon, Chairman of the Board of Directors, DIFC, David Hodgkinson, Group Chief Operating Officer, HSBC, Richard Meddings, Group Executive Director, Standard Chartered Bank and Robert Parker, Vice Chairman, Asset Management, Credit Suisse".

Edmund O'Sullivan, Editorial Director, MEED, said: "The surge in project activity in the region has reached record levels and MEED estimates that this market is now worth over US$1 trillion. The resulting business opportunities being created for infrastructure financiers and other stakeholders is simply unprecedented".

Mark Cunnington, Publisher, FTfm, said: "As the world's leading business newspaper, we are very pleased to be working with the DIFC and helping to make DIFC Week a success. As publishers of FTfm, the world's largest circulating Fund Management publication, it is fitting that we are hosting the inaugural Fund Management event in the region".