BNP Paribas' Global Head of Forex strategy to visit GCC

Hans Redeker will advise corporate and private clients and give an overview of the G7 economies and their long-term impact on foreign exchange markets.

A 'Breakfast Conference' is being organized for May 10th, 2006, by BNP Paribas at the Abu Dhabi Sheraton where Mr. Redeker will speak on issues related to "Foreign Exchange & Interest Rate Outlook."

Mr. Redeker will give a presentation on subjects including the volatility in foreign exchange markets, major currency themes for 2006; global risk assessment focuses on the US and the impact of political factors on the currency markets.

Mr. Redeker, who joined BNP Paribas in 2000 and is based in London, leads a research team that has members in key global foreign exchange centres including London, Paris, Tokyo, Singapore and New York. The BNP Paribas advisory teams deliver market intelligence and solutions that meet hedging requirements and performance objectives.

Graduated in 1987, Mr. Redeker has a Masters degree in Economics from Georg-August University, Goettingern, Germany. He is a regular contributor to various leading news publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times, and appears frequently on prominent news channels such as CNBC, Bloomberg TV, CNN and BBC.

The focus of the conference will be on the US Dollar and the reasons for its erratic movements in the recent past against other major currencies.

BNP Paribas is one of the pioneers in commercial and corporate banking, trade finance, Islamic banking and corporate finance in the Middle East. The bank has been operating in the Gulf for over 30 years through a network of four commercial branches situated in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha and Dubai and has opened branches in Riyadh and Kuwait in 2005.

BNP Paribas has been operating in the Gulf for over 32 years offering the expertise of all core businesses on the ground. The recent openings of Riyadh and Kuwait branches are a part of the bank's ambitious development strategy to expand its regional network and better serve its clients. With its regional management based in Bahrain since 2001, BNP Paribas in the Gulf region accounts approximately 400 employees.