Ministry of Finance to host public debt management conference

The conference will feature a host of UAE and GCC financial institutions, in addition to internationally noted dignitaries in the field of public debt management. Lars Jessen, Lead Financial Officer of the World Bank will present about 'Sovereign Debt Management' while Dr. Anderson Silva, Senior Debt Specialist, Capital Markets Advisory Group, World Bank Group will present on Securities Market Development. 'Government Debt Market Development from the Point of View of the Private Sector' by Ziad Awad, Managing Director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch will be followed by a presentation on Government Debt Market Development from the Viewpoint of International Rating Bureaus by Mr. Tristan Cooper, Head Analyst for Middle East Sovereigns, Sovereign Risk Group at Moody's.

The conference will address topics such as the best international framework for debt management, the importance of strong governance in debt management strategy. It will also deal with the importance of how to support the government securities markets to achieve reform and development in the public sector, in addition to addressing the importance of public debt management in the development of economy.

Commenting on MOF's organization of the conference, HE Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said: "This conference, which is the first of its kind in the region, comes in line with UAE commitment to apply the best global practices enhancing the fiscal policies and supporting the national economy. The UAE prudent financial Policy has played a vital role in enhancing the development of economy; taking into consideration that this policy has been applied at the directions of the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may Allah protect them. The conference will also offer a good opportunity to exchange best international experiences in public debt management and the role it plays to obtain sustainable economic development."

"Public debt management is also a vital tool for overcoming short to medium term challenges of funding the growth envisioned by a country's leadership. Hence, the conference will determine the most effective ways to develop a strategy of public debt management and to strengthen the financial efficiency of the economy", HE Al Tayer Added.