Hedge Funds World Conference to discuss the global alternative investments market

The three-day conference, which will take place at the Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai on Feb 4th, 5th and 6th, will be addressed by top Arab and international economists, including Antoine Massad, Associate Director and Head of Middle East and Asia at Man Investment Products, a global leader in the alternative investment industry with over US$9.5 billion under management. Also addressing the forum will be Sohail Jaffer, Chairman of the Middle East Chapter of the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), Wolfgang Landl, "Senior Investment Manager - Man Glenwood GmbH," Suresh Kumar, Managing Director of Emirates Financial Services and Mohammad Tariq, Head of Securities for Capital Markets at Arab Banking Corporation.

Announcing the details of the forthcoming event, Stefan Nilsson of Terrapinn, organisers of the Hedge Funds World Middle East 2002, said that the conference is geared to address the global and regional alternative investment issues for the growing investment community in the region, at different levels.

The conference will review the changing face of investing from traditional asset classes to alternatives and hedge funds, highlight new trends and developments in the hedge funds industry and explain the rationale behind investment strategy decisions; what do investors look for in terms of risks and returns. It will also evaluate capital allocation and risk/return criteria for different investments. Case studies from the US and Europe will be presented, highlighting the implications of increased transparency and due diligence. The performance of the hedge funds industry in 2000/2001 will also be reviewed.

Antoine Massad said: "In its third year, Hedge Funds World will take the private and institutional investors through the current market trends and evaluate the advantages of hedge funds in diversifying one's investment portfolio. While first time investors stand to gain an understanding of the framework under which the industry operates, seasoned investors can access and examine both current and future trends."

Explaining his company's initiative in forerunning this event, Massad said: "Our role as a specialised company dedicated to providing alternative investments does not merely stop with engineering innovative and customised products for our clients. MAN is a global industry leader, and we have a commitment to create further awareness, whilst growing the industry."

Stefan Nilsson said: "We believe that 2002 will be the year hedge funds became a mainstream part of investment portfolios. Our first two successful Hedge Funds World conferences in the region demonstrated a high level of interest and commitment in the Middle East."

The annual event was attended by more than 200 delegates from all over the world in 2001. Hedge Funds World is endorsed by AIMA, a UK based body that promotes, regulates and controls the use of alternative investments. The event is sponsored by Man Investment Products, a specialised company dedicated to providing alternative investments to institutional and private clients throughout the world. It is co-sponsored by the Citco Group, an independent organisation of financial services companies, Barep Asset Management Alexandra Investment Management and Bank of Bermuda. More details and admission forms can be sought at www.altinvest.org