Standard Chartered is to hold first Mid East Captial Markets Forum

The forum will provide investors, capital seeking institutions and regulators with a timely insight into the evolution of capital markets within the region.

"Capital Markets have rapidly gained significance for Middle Eastern issuers, providing access to diversified sources of funding and a global investor base," said Gilles Franck, Regional Head of Capital Markets, Middle East and North Africa for Standard Chartered.

Shayne Nelson, Regional Chief Executive Officer Middle East and North Africa Standard Chartered Bank said,

"Regional investors are also being presented with a growing choice of conventional and Islamic instruments to optimise their asset allocation. Our aim with this unique forum is to expand on these highly topical areas and provide innovative solutions to thoughtful, yet aggressive, growth funding."

The Standard Chartered Bank Capital Markets Forum will exhibit a roadmap showing how Middle East Capital Markets will become a leading segment of the global financial markets by following the example of Asian Capital Markets which are currently experiencing above average growth rates, with a significant consumer base fueling economic expansion.

"We expect to see similar results in the Middle East, focused on an upswing in the financial landscape which will provide investors and issuers with enormous potential to take advantage of high capital returns. Continued strong economic growth will impact on the rapid expansion of regional capital markets, and increasing product sophistication will further augment this development," added Shayne.

"We firmly believe that Standard Chartered's innovative approach to capital and liquidity management, and our global expertise within this field means we are well-placed to provide the right solutions to our partners within a robust capital market", continued Gilles.

In creating the Standard Chartered Bank Capital Markets Forum in Dubai, the Bank aims to lead the way forward for the development of efficient capital markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Standard Chartered currently works with global investors, managers of global enterprises and national regulators across these regions to provide customers with access to deep and meaningful forms of Capital Markets.

"The UAE has been identified by Standard Chartered as a crucial emerging global market, and it is one of the top five performing markets for the Bank. We will continue our commitment to the development of the local and regional financial industry through Forums such as this, and contribute to providing effective guidance and influence on key regulatory issues to help shape the future of the country and the wider GCC."

The opening address of the Standard Chartered Bank Capital Markets Forum will be presented by Mr Brad Levitt, Group Head of Capital Markets for Standard Chartered.

Keynote speeches will be given by senior representatives of key corporate and financial institutions in Asia and the GCC, such as Chompunute Sumanaseni, Former CFO, Government Housing Bank, Thailand. A panel discussion on "Dealing with Uncertain Markets" led by Gilles Franck of Standard Chartered will feature Yuvraj Narayan, Chief Financial Officer of DP World and Kar Tung Quek, Chief Financial Officer for Nakheel.