NBK invites Robert Zoellick as a key speaker at 8th GCC Banking Conference

The two-day conference will include a high-level debate session that will bring together GCC Central Banks Governors with Heads of major Arab and Gulf Banks and financial institutions to discuss areas related to challenges facing the Arab banking industry.

In his luncheon remarks, Mr. Zoellick is expected to discuss the effects and ramifications of latest global economic developments on the Middle East economies in general, and the impacts that will be felt by the banking industry in particular. Following his speech, Mr. Zoellick will hold an interactive and open Questions and Answers with the attending delegates.

Zoellick is a vice Chairman, International, of Goldman Sachs and Chairman of the board of the Goldman Sachs International Advisors. He joined the firm in 2006 as a managing director. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Zoellick had been the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States since February 2005. From 2001 to 2005, he served as the 13th US trade representative.

During President George H.W. Bush's administration, Zoellick served with Secretary of State James A. Baker, III as under secretary of state for economic and agricultural affairs, as well as counselor to the department. He also served as counselor to the secretary of the treasury during President Reagan's second term. From 1993 to 1997, Zoellick was an executive vice president at Fannie Mae.

Zoellick is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, the Department of State's highest honor, the Alexander Hamilton Award of the Department of the Treasury, and the Medal for Distinguished Public Service of the Department of Defense. The German government awarded him the Knight Commanders Cross for his role in developing the United States strategy toward German unification. In 2002, Zoellick was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana.

Zoellick earned a JD, Magna cum laude, from the Harvard Law School and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in 1981. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Swarthmore College in 1975.