Private Equity World returns to address billion dollar funds

The conference is set to take place at the Shangri-La hotel from the 17th - 20th September, 2006. The MENA private equity market has increased 41 percent since 1998 with investments currently totaling $1 billion. With Shariah-compliant investment funds playing a significant part in this phenomenal growth, investment levels are expected to more than double to between $2.1 and $2.6 billion

'In unpredictable markets, private equity is a desired alternative as it relieves companies from stock market risks and aids in maximizing their long term value,' said Jonathan Greenhalgh, Conference Director for Private Equity MENA, Terrapinn. 'Private equity fund raising will continue its exponential rise as it continues to outperform stocks in shorter time frame investments and everyone wants a share of this flexible and stable alternative asset.'

The event boasts country by country analysis of specific trends, challenges and opportunities, revealing the rising sectors for good private equity prospects and the approaches that should be used to invest in them. Delegates will receive a myriad of perspectives from investors that will explain the challenges and attractions to established foreign investors eager to enter emerging regional markets. Speaker sessions will be featured with experts from both the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group, and European Investment Bank to support regional investments.

'Last year more than 200 local and regional Middle East entrepreneurs, funds, financiers and investors converged at Private Equity World MENA 2005 and the feedback we received was that they did not attend a typical conference but rather a forum for discussion and open exchange of otherwise unknown information, ideas and opportunities,'

said Jonathan Greenhalgh, Conference Director for Private Equity MENA, Terrapinn.

'This year will host a panel of forty eager speakers raising topics such as LPs, IPO and privatization opportunities, buy out funds, and venture capital in a strategically designed environment that encourages free dialogue and networking.'

Private Equity Middle East 2006 is organised by Terrapinn, which organizes over 15 conferences annually in Dubai only. The conference is sponsored by TVM Capital, Parsian Bank, Parsian International, Investec, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, M'Sharie and Zawya.