MEFX 2008 comes to a grand conclusion

The visitor profile included top level decision makers and the best minds in the business.

Over 70 companies were represented from MEASA, Europe and the United States and MEFX also attracted attendees from more than 40 countries.

The event, a joint collaboration between Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the world's fastest growing financial centre, and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the region's leading exhibition organiser, was held at the at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1-3 June 2008.

Nasser al Shaali, CEO of the DIFC Authority said: 'MEFX has proven to be a great success in bringing together leading professionals in the banking and financial industry and showcasing some of the latest technology products and services in this sector.

The exhibition has introduced a host of innovation to the region and brought new insights into strategies that can drive growth. We hope that the breakthrough technologies exhibited at the event will contribute to the growth of banks and financial institutions in the region.'

The specialised event which was vertically focussed on the IT financial services sector and attracted a significant number of high profile trade visitors connected leading finance, professional services and technology suppliers with the region's key decision-makers and provided a critical showcase for the latest technological developments affecting the financial and banking industries.

The event also saw the successful staging of a few key sub-events interwoven into its agenda, the MEFX Summit a two day event themed 'Future Proofing your Bank', threw up some very pertinent answers the questions many banks are asking themselves - how they can turn some of those excess profits to future proof their bank against inevitable downturns in the future.

The MEFX Summit was deemed highly successful with delegates, Ghanem I. Elshahry, Head of Information Security and Risk Management of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, described it as 'a forum which brought experts from all over the world under one roof' while Nabeil I Al Madani, Director of Islamic Development Bank from Saudi Arabia regarded MEFX as 'excellent and extremely valuable' Their views were echoed by other delegates who gave a resounding thumbs-up to the quality of the exhibition and summit.

The exhibitors reporting brisk business were equally impressed with the focused turnout and the global response to the event.
'Being organized for the first time we believe that MEFX 2008 was very well organized and visited by interesting industry professionals. We will be participating in MEFX 2009.

A platform such as this one offers a perfect opportunity for all parties to share ideas, expertise and industry knowledge' said Mr. Jean-Claude Elias, Media Advisor at IrisGuard.

Commenting on the participation in the event Mr. Sayed Qutub Ahmed, CEO of Apvision said 'Participating in MEFX has helped us introduce our products to the industry professionals and meet face to face with decision makers from across the GCC to explain the mechanisms of our services and products. We were extremely happy with the turn out and the calibre of visitors who attended the show.'

Ismail Al Naqi, Executive Director of DOZ, said: 'MEFX has established a much needed platform for banks and financial institutions enabling them to interact in a dynamic network and cross leverage services and being products offered. Through the strategic partnership with MEFX, DOZ has been able to generate serious interest among the various exhibitors and trade visitors, and we enthusiastically look forward to MEFX 2009.'

'As a first time event MEFX has already received a unanimous endorsement from key industry leaders, leading financial corporations and technology service providers. We are delighted that MEFX has provided participants with the much anticipated occasion to exchange knowledge and facilitate business partnerships' said Trixee Loh Senior Vice President - DWTC. We are already planning for next year's event to ensure we maintain incredible momentum of the success achieved this week' she added

MEFX 2008 offered the rare opportunity to meet and interact with some of the most prominent names in the industry from the GCC and beyond and from the overwhelming response to this year's event the organiser's will undoubtedly have an easier task when it comes to planning next year's event. MEFX was sponsored by Dubai Outsource Zone, Etisalat, IBM, EastNets, Emcredit, CNBC Arabia, The Monarch Dubai, Emirates Business 24/7 and Emirates Airlines.