Global Private Equity Thought-Leaders to speak at the second SuperReturn Middle East Conference in Dubai

Headlining speakers at the event will include eminent and powerful global private equity figures, such as Investcorp's President and COO, Gary Long, The Carlyle Group's Chairman, David Rubenstein and CEO and co-founder of The Blackstone Group, Steve Schwarzman.

They will be joined by such regional investors, as Citadel Capital's Chairman and co-founder, Ahmed Heikal, as well as Abraaj Capital's vice chairman and CEO, Arif Naqvi.

Guest speakers include Harvard Business School's Professor of Investment Banking and renowned private equity guru, Josh Lerner, and from IMD Business School and University of Lausanne, Professor Stéphane Garelli.

Investcorp President and COO, Gary Long, said

"We are delighted to be a principal partner of such a prestigious event. SuperReturn is the definitive private equity forum. Its success and standing in Europe is now being replicated here in the Middle East at a time of increasing excitement and opportunity for the local private equity industry."

With a reputation as private equity's "Davos" meeting, where substantive issues are discussed by the private equity industry's top players, both on and off the platform, SuperReturn's annual event in Europe, now in its eleventh year, has become an unmissable event for the global private equity industry, attracting some 2000 delegates to Germany each year for a four day event.

No other private equity event in the world is supported by such powerful global leaders.

Building on this track record, SuperReturn has come to the Gulf region with an exceptional programme that mixes more than 100 of the region's leaders with international heavyweight speakers to take part in a mix of keynote speeches, leadership interviews, panel discussions, plenary sessions and master classes.

SuperReturn Middle East has already attracted registrations from global and regional private equity business leaders and practitioners, major investors from across the GCC, funds of funds, advisors, lawyers and senior finance professionals, all aware that the region is not only a critical source of funds, but a market laden with serious opportunity.

Last year SuperReturn Middle East broke all records for an inaugural private equity event in the region and its second event looks set to reach an incredible 800 very senior attendees.

The wide ranging programme covers both global and regional perspectives, including exclusive new survey data, the rise in clean tech as well as the opportune oil and gas industry, alternatives, infrastructure and of course the impact of the global credit crisis.

Utilising electronic polling, interviews, off-the-record discussion tables, highly informed questioners and chairmen and extended masterclass sessions this growing three-day event aims to expand the mind as well as provide incredibly valuable networking.

Supported by five principal partners, the global alternative asset manager Investcorp, Gulf Capital, HBG HOLDINGS, the Gulf private equity firm Ithmar Capital and the US private equity firm Thomas H Lee Partners, SuperReturn Middle East will take place from 12th-15th October 2008 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Festival City, Dubai.