United International Bank CIO to address prestigious Middle East Africa Air Finance conference

Dr. Sarhan is one among five regional experts slated to speak in the session on 'Financing unprecedented regional growth in troubled times: Challenges facing aircraft financiers.'

UIB, a Shari'a compliant investment bank headquartered in Bahrain, is a speaker participant in the two-day event that will bring together over 250 professionals from leading air carriers, investment banks and financial institutions associated with the air finance industry in the MENA region.

Commenting on UIB's participation, Dr. Sarhan said:

'Given UIB's significant portfolio in the air finance and leasing sector, I am excited to have the privilege of addressing this eminent gathering. At this critical juncture, when the global credit crunch is affecting liquidity levels, it will be interesting and informative to discuss the repercussions on aviation financing and how these challenges can be tackled.'

'This conference is the ideal platform to debate issues like deal structuring, risk mitigation and the forecast of future financing. It is also a unique opportunity to gain access to up-to-date market information on the aviation industry and network with industry specialists, investors as well as our peers,' he added.

The MENA region presents an interesting case study of the aviation sector in these volatile times. While sky rocketing oil prices are causing serious concern elsewhere, they are fuelling rapid economic growth in the region. As a result, the demand for air travel is surging even as airlines find their margins challenged by fuel price hikes and rising costs.

UIB today boasts an aircraft portfolio valued at approximately $400m through Falak Investments Limited (Falak), a joint venture set up in 2007 with Geneva-based Novus Aviation to lease aircraft to major airlines in Europe, Asia and India and support the bank's initiatives in new territories. Falak currently owns 11 aircrafts.

The conference is organized by Airfinance Journal and Euromoney Seminars, which are divisions of Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. Airfinance Journal is the leading international publication catering to professionals in the commercial aviation industry and is also the leading financial information source for the aerospace industry.