'Deals of the Year' Middle East awards ceremony to be launched at IPO Summit

The premier magazine and journal of record for the worlds investment, retail and commercial banking sectors, will launch their international awards initiative in the Middle East at a glittering black tie dinner, due to take place at the Fairmont Hotel in Dubai on 26th February 2006.

The international awards, now in its fourth year covers 52 countries and the judges have selected one winning deal for each country. This is the first "Deals of the Year" Awards ceremony to be held in Dubai, at which the winning deals for Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Oman will be announced.

Winning deals were selected with an emphasis on the degree to which client objectives were met as well as complexity and innovation. Pricing performance was also a key factor and the actual size of the deal was secondary.

Stephen Timewell, Editor in Chief, The Banker Magazine, commented, "The capital market growth and the number of landmark deals throughout the Middle East region over the last year, have been remarkable. In addition two notable milestones included the launch of the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) and the formation of the Capital Market Authority in Saudi Arabia, convinced us that the region was maturing rapidly and thoroughly deserved to be recognised".

Three hundred guests have been invited to attend the gala dinner and awards, which will consist of the banks and clients involved in the winning deals in addition to all of the delegates at the 1st Middle East IPO Summit. Delegates from the IPO Summit will include senior management from leading banks throughout the Middle East in addition to corporate executives whom have either recently launched an IPO or whom are intending to in the near future.

One of the key note speakers on the night who is eagerly anticipated is Sam Theodore, currently Managing Director for European Financial Institutions at DBRS Europe, where he is responsible for building and developing a rating and analysis franchise. Previously Theodore had spent 17 years with Moody's the last 11 as Managing Director for European Bank Ratings and Global Banking Coordinator.

Gareth Parry, Project Director, IPO, said,

"We have joined up with The Banker Magazine for this event due to the synergy between the direction of the conference topics and the focus of the awards. It is very stimulating for the banking sector in the Middle East to be launching two inaugural events simultaneously and we are proud to be associated with such a prestigious industry magazine".

Guests will also include leading figures within the GCC Capital Markets scene, from the CEO of the DIFX and the Chairman of the DFSA to the Director of trading at the KSE and the ADSM. The Lead Sponsor for the evening is the Dubai International Financial Exchange and highlights of the event will be covered on CNBC Arabiya.

Timewell added, "With an unrivalled guest list, sponsorship from one of the most dynamic stock exchanges in the region, and top quality speakers such as Sam Thoedore, the success of the 'Deals of the Year' awards is assured".