Hedge Funds Review Annual Summit kicks off on 5th November in Bahrain

The inaugural session of the event will be attended by Mr. Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain.

Taking place 5-7th November at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Manama, this is the first hedge fund specific event to come to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Developed in close conjunction with event partners, Bahrain Financial Services Development (BFSD), part of the Economic Development Board, and global alternative asset manager Investcorp, the summit will attract major investors from across the GCC region, with leading fund managers from MENA, Europe, Asia and the US discussing innovative alternative investment strategies.

Ibrahim Gharghour, Co-Head of Investcorp's Hedge Fund program, commented on the calibre of the attendees: "The world renowned specialists attending the conference will give local investors a unique opportunity to discuss the latest global trends in investment patterns and strategies adopted by hedge funds". He added: "Investcorp acts as a bridge facilitating the transfer of its hedge funds knowledge and expertise and that of other best in class hedge funds managers to investors in the Gulf".

Deepak Gurnani, Co-Head of Investcorp's Hedge Fund program, drew attention to the participation of highly experienced hedge fund managers as speakers: "The participation in this conference of John Paulson, who is considered one of the most exciting managers currently and whose fund was up approximately 410% this year, in addition to other managers with whom Investcorp has a relationship, makes this a very important international financial event. It also underlines the trust and confidence that specialists from around the world have in the investors from the Gulf region."

Areas that will be addressed across the programme include recent legislative developments in the area, an overview of the current hedge funds market in the Middle East, panel discussions on emerging markets, advice on how to successfully set up and market a hedge fund in the region and case studies on the most effective investment strategies. The three-day summit will also incorporate unparalleled networking opportunities including a unique 'race-day' at the Bahrain International Circuit and a Gala dinner with a celebrity chef flown in especially for the occasion.

Increasingly hedge funds are being utilised in the portfolios of institutional investors and high net worth individuals as an alternative means of maximising returns and increasing wealth. This summit will explore the various strategies that are used and how issues such as geographical location and Shariah compliance are being overcome in the rapidly growing Middle East market.