Citi Qatar introduces interactive derivatives workshop

Conducted by Michal Kowalczuk, Head of Citi's FX Options Structuring in CEEMEA, the seminar featured more than 20 of Qatar's top-tier treasury, finance and Investment officers from Qatar's Public Sector, in addition to delegates representing Telecom, Auto, Trade, Infrastructure, Oil&Petrochemicals, and Finance sectors, along with Citi officials.

Participants formed virtual companies, each determining best hedging strategy in the face of a specific financial risk. Each 'company' held a variety of foreign exchange, interest rate and commodities exposures, and opted for 'positions' fitting pre-determined risk appetite. A competition for best hedging strategy concluded the 2-day seminar.

Farhan Mahmood, CEO of Citi Qatar, said: "Our aim here was to show finance professionals how to best use derivatives in a constructive and responsible manner and to dispel any myth that might have been formed around these key treasury tools.

"The bank's novel approach was well received by treasury, finance and investment officers of top local companies and financial institutions. Trainees learned about various hedging strategies and developed a more insightful understanding of today's evolving financial risk in global capital markets. This and other focused training efforts are in line with Citi's long-term strategy and commitment to developing local professional talent."

Citi has been in the Arab World for nearly 50 years and continues to view the region as critical to its global franchise. It is currently present in ten Arab countries including Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.