Robeco co-sponsors the Bahrain Association of Banks' reception at the IMF-World Bank meetings

The event, on Wednesday 5 October, is designed to showcase Bahrain as a financial centre ahead of the joint meetings on 6-7 October of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group.

The annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, executives from the private sector and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the outlook for the world economy, the eradication of poverty, development, and the effectiveness of aid. The meetings also offer an opportunity for civil society organizations to share their views.

Douglas Hansen-Luke, CEO of Robeco Middle East, said:

"Robeco is delighted to co-sponsor BAB's delegation as part of our overall programme of attendance at the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings. We have been in Bahrain for nearly nine years and strongly support the work of BAB. This year's joint meetings of the IMF and the World Bank take place at a pivotal moment for the world economy. It is vital that business and government work together in advancing the prospects for a lasting recovery."

About 13,000 people are expected to attend the IMF-World Bank meetings in Istanbul this year. As well as the outlook for the world economy, attendees are likely to discuss the need for reform in financial markets and efforts by governments to reduce the risk of a repeat of the international credit crisis.

Robeco, established in Rotterdam in 1929, offers investment products and services to institutional and private investors worldwide. It has around Eur111bn in assets under management (at 31 December 2008).

The product range encompasses equity and fixed-income investments, money-market funds and alternative investments, including private equity, hedge funds and structured products.

The various strategies are managed from Rotterdam (head office), Boston, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Zurich. To serve institutional and business clients, Robeco has offices in Bahrain, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.