GOIC and Duke University to hold seminar

The objective of the course is to develop the analytical skills of the participants so that they can analyze the contribution of investment projects to a program or a portfolio of investments, incorporate tax and trade variables in assessing and designing project proposals, prepare or modify business plans and proposals, re-engineer projects to mitigate the cost of risk and enhance their returns, evaluate investment projects from a range of stockholder perspectives, plan and assess all aspects and investment projects, as well as assess investment proposals prepared by other agencies or consultants.

The session is directed to practitioners and professionals interested in the analysis, financing and implementation of projects who design, select, negotiate or finance projects. It will be of special interest to professionals in government ministries and public enterprises, banks and financial institutions, investment analysts, international development agencies, individual and corporate investors, and private management, engineering and business consulting firms.

The 12-day training course will deal with financial and risk analysis as well as risk management through real and applied case studies, lectures, group discussions participant presentations and computer exercises. This will be performed through a flexible appraisal framework suited to handle different types of projects (from industrial to commercial enterprises), and a range of issues that impact risk management. The framework is particularly well suited to the assessment of projects implemented by the private sector, or in partnership with the public sector, where analysis of various project designs from the perspectives of the different participants in the project is crucial. Different forms of domestic and international finance, ownership and tax issues are highlighted and incorporated in the appraisal framework. Thus, participants will be able to conduct project and program analysis, and will acquire a better understanding of the valuation and management of firms and projects.

At the financial analysis level, the participants will learn stages in development of feasibility studies; technology, engineering and human resources; development of cash flow statements; perspectives on project financial sustainability; impact of scale, timing and length of life on project viability; cost-effectiveness measures of social programs; capital markets and financing projects; and internet and other information resources.

At the risk analysis and management, subjects will include foundations of uncertainty and risk; risk assessment and risk management techniques; the roles of incentives, sanctions and risk sharing; real options; project design and organization; and contracting techniques.

It is worth mentioning that for more than 25 years, GOIC has been pioneering in fostering industrial development at both public and private sectors in the Arab Gulf States. On the other hand, Duke University is a world-class academic institution and one of the top universities in the United States. The Duke Center for International Development (DCID) offers educational programs in international development policy.