NBK hosts an international symposium on GCC Equity Markets Challenges on 18 December

The symposium will be held under the patronage of HH the Prime Minister, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah on 18 December at the Sheraton Hotel.

NBK's Chairman, Mohamed Abdelrahman Al Bahar stated that GCC equity markets are no longer a collection of local, illiquid markets. Rather, the region's markets, at over $900 billion in capitalization and $3 billion in daily liquidity, are evolving quickly into more mainstream emerging markets. "Privatizations and Greenfield operations are contributing to the deepening and widening of regional markets, with strong deregulation trends offering unprecedented opportunities for investors to tap into regional economic growth trends", added Al Bahar.

Investors have certainly noticed these changes: GCC equity markets are up 90% so far this year and have risen 7-fold in the last five. This stellar performance, while deeply rooted in improving economic fundamentals and a changing geopolitical landscape, has also seen its fair share of volatility. Following a number of small corrections, regional investors have been left with lingering questions about future risk and return.

Leading experts and regional market players will address the key issues that are thought to determine regional asset valuations on the business, economic and geopolitical levels. NBK will be inviting leading business figures, industry professionals, academic professors, and policy makers in Kuwait, in addition to local, regional and international media representatives. Leading experts and regional market players will address the key issues that are thought to determine regional asset valuations on the business, economic and geopolitical levels.