MEFX 2008 exceeds expectations

The quality of trade visitors attending the event at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 2nd of June exceeded expectations, and has kept with the trend that began on the highly successful day one.

Professionals from the banking, financial and IT industry in and around the GCC were present at the trade-only event in impressive numbers, getting to interact first-hand with over 70 companies from the fields of finance, technology and professional services.

"In its first year MEFX has already delivered a significant number of high profile and targeted visiting executives from more than 35 countries. Delegates visiting from as far as South Africa and Australia have attended MEFX, proved that Dubai is the financial hub of the Middle East. We are sure that the show will capitalise on the immense potential that the market possesses and will grow in scope and size in the future," said Mr. Helaal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Commenting on his company's participation Mr. Vivek Raghavan from Rashed Al Makhawi Enterprises LLC said: "We had very high expectations as we are banking solution providers and MEFX proved to be a very appropriate platform for our field of expertise, given the other big brands participating and the calibre of visitors who are attending." He added: "We have been in Dubai for the past 15 years and MEFX has provided an immense opportunity to communicate and share expertise with other professionals in the industry. We are definitely participating in MEFX 2009."

The second day witnessed the conclusion of MEFX Summit, the special event interwoven into the MEFX agenda. Themed 'Future Proofing Your Bank', the Summit set the stage for a host of industry thinkers and leaders to engage the audience with progressive forums.

Human resources and product strategy and innovation were the two broad subjects on which the speakers elaborated their best practices.

"It was a privilege to hear such high-profile people sharing their thoughts in a public forum. Their collective presence has definitely enhanced Dubai's image as the focus of financial and economic activity in the region," said one of the Summit attendees. "MEFX 2008 as a whole has proven to be more than an exhibition. It is a successful, dedicated business and networking experience that will go a long way in enhancing the region's financial sector," he added.

As part of MEFX Host, delegates attended a series of high-level productive appointments with leading international technology suppliers to discuss how the latest developments in technology can best be used to keep banks in tune with the times.

"I thought that MEFX was going to be a small gathering of select bankers but I was pleasantly surprised to find so many high level delegates from banks all across the region, vendors displaying the most interesting technology for the financial sector, knowledgeable speakers and the wide international representation," said Mr. Helal Saud Al Barwani from the Central Bank of Oman. "The organization of the event has been perfect. I have attended so many events across the world and if you asked me I could never say that this was the first time this event was being organised," he added.

The high-powered delegates had a chance to discuss much more than business on the opening day at the MEFX Gala Dinner, hosted by the event partners Dubai International Financial Centre at the Godolphin Ballroom in the Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

Makameh Afkhami, Executive Director - Banking & Brokerage, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, welcomed all attendees to the event, announcing that the suc¬cessful launch of MEFX re-affirmed DIFC's ambition to establish Dubai as a financial centre on par with London, New York and Hong Kong.

The show will also have a fitting finale with a very special golf tournament for the VIP invitees at the Montgomorie Dubai, one of the world's premier golf courses.