MEED to host region's first ever Mergers and Acquisitions conference

This is the first event in the region to focus purely on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and it comes at a critical time, as M&A activity in the region has increased by 27% since Q3 and is expected to surge in 2010, as a result of the economic situation.

Falling company valuations and damaged balanced sheets have led to an increased interest in M&A in the Gulf. For companies with cash, like many private equity companies, the current market presents excellent buying opportunities. However, regulations vary from country to country and the process isn't as clear and concise as it is in the West.

Mergers and Acquisitions 2009, themed "Strategies and opportunities for companies to enhance profit and growth in the region", aims to address the concerns resulting from some of the major challenges facing the market today, such as lack of regulations necessary for regional M&A activity, and lack of transparency and disclosure in the region.

"As more and more international and regional investors turn to emerging economies and valuations become increasingly attractive, we have started to see an increase in M&A activity in the region," says Abdalla Elebiary, Managing Director at Citadel Capital, the Middle East and Africa's leading private equity firm. "And for private equity firms the opportunities are immense." Elebiary will be participating in a panel discussion on the future of M&A's in the region and the important role that private equity will play in making those deals happen.

The event will bring together leaders from major corporations, investment firms, private equity houses and advisors across the Middle East to share their analysis and views on M&A activities undertaken and potential activities in 2010, and the keynote address will be delivered by Nazem Fawwaz Al Kudsi, CEO of Invest AD (Abu Dhabi Investment Company).

The event will also feature some of the region's largest corporates, including Etisalat and Al Futtaim Capital, as well as private equity companies such as Abraaj Capital and Citadel Capital.

Mergers and Acquisitions 2009 will provide a platform for attendees to hear from GCC experts about how, why, where and when to conduct successful M&A transactions ahead of the expected increase in momentum of M&A-related activities.

The conference will run from 8-9 December, with two pre-conference masterclasses taking place on the 7th. CITI will be leading the masterclass entitled "Raising finance for deals in the current economic climate", while PriceWaterhouseCoopers will present a masterclass on "Accurate valuations of assets while buying and selling for maximum profits".

According to Edmund O'Sullivan, Chairman at MEED Events, the necessity for an event such as this became apparent following a survey, conducted by MEED, which found that 75% of business leaders in the Middle East expect to see more M&A activities in 2010 and that more than half of businesses are looking to sell or acquire assets as a part of their strategy in 2010.

Additional comments made in the survey pointed towards an overall shared view that M&A activities would not only rise in 2010, but seem to be the best business strategy moving ahead. Says O'Sullivan, "The global meltdown has changed the dynamic of businesses in all regions and the key to success seems to be M&A. With the right partnerships at fair valuations with good synergies and value additions in the business, success can be achieved post market-recovery."

According to the survey, the main barriers in conducting M&A in the region is finance acquisition (52.3%), asset valuation (46.6%) and regulations (40.9%), while the most likely elements to be considered when conducting a deal is cash contribution (50%), bank facilities and bridge/ acquisition financing (46.6%), and equity raising (45.5%).

Says O'Sullivan, "This event is the perfect meeting place for potential buyers and sellers, allowing them to overcome the difficulties involved in meeting the correct people in the region due to lack of information."