Dubai School of Government offers glimpse of post-financial crisis world

Led by Han de Jong, Chief Economist of ABN-AMRO, and Didier Duret, Chief Investment Officer of ABN-AMRO Private Banking Global Strategy and Research, the discussion sought to put the current financial crisis in perspective and help policy makers and government executives deal with the post-crisis challenges proactively.

De Jong said:

"The activity we have witnessed in the financial markets during the last few months may have surprised some by its vigour, fuelled by the injection of huge volumes of government liquidity. Investors are now facing a more normal pattern of investing, with higher risks rewarded by higher returns. Even though the crisis has changed the route, the destination remains the same - sustainable returns with diversified asset allocation."

Prior to taking up his current position in 2005, de Jong headed the Investment Strategy team at ABN-AMRO Asset Management for five years. In an earlier role with ABN-AMRO, he has led the bank's fixed-income research unit.

As Chief Investment Officer of ABN-AMRO Private Banking Global Strategy and Research, Duret leads the bank's Global Investment Advisory Centre. In his additional capacity as Chairman of the Private Clients Joint Investment Committee, Duret is instrumental in providing ABN-AMRO investment advisors, private bankers and their clients with comprehensive investment advice and financial market strategy covering 40 countries.

Dr. Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government, said, "It is important that policy makers understand what a 'normal' world economy will look like after the biggest financial bust since the Great Depression. The storm may have passed, but there are still difficult challenges ahead. The insights provided by Han de Jong and Didier Duret will help policymakers avoid the mistakes of the past and make the best of the recovery."

Established in 2005 in cooperation with the Harvard Kennedy School, the Dubai School of Government is committed to the creation of knowledge, the dissemination of global best practices and the training of policy makers in the Arab world. The School is focused on capacity building, and conducts various programmes that seek to promote good governance through enhancing the region's capacity for effective public policy.