Education investment opportunities in the UAE total $1.9bn

This is the perspective of international and local leaders, experts and financiers. As the world's first country to rely on the private sector to drive growth, the UAE represents one of the most dynamic and lucrative markets in the world with exciting investment opportunities in the education sector.

"Education opportunities in the Gulf are taking off. The UAE leads the world in private education in terms of its business models and different product offerings. Its market size currently stands at a staggering $1.9bn with China a little behind with $1.8bn. The UAE has been and will continue to be the strongest private education market in the world," said Ralph Tabberer, Chief Executive of Better Broader Deeper (BBD) Education, a UAE and UK based educational institute, and chairman at this year's Education Investment MENA Conference to promote investment in education.

The conference strives to drive growth and partnerships in the private education market in the region and takes place from 8-10 October 2012. It will highlight the major opportunities for education operators, investors and financers in the Middle East and North Africa's booming education market.

Tabberer described the UAE education landscape as the fastest growing private education market in the world. He explained that Dubai had the highest proportion of private schools in the UAE adding that it represented a "prototype for how the world will grow better education systems".

"Investors have always shown interest in the UAE, especially Dubai, because of its promising returns. With the growing number of expats in the region growth in the private education sector will never stagnate," he added.

Speaker Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director General of Knowledge and Human Development authority, the strategic partner of the event said: "Private education in the MENA region is ready for increased investment. High youth numbers and the impact of the Arab Spring are driving much of this growth. Private education is resilient to the booms and busts of normal business cycles and offers solid returns for investors that can provide students with good quality education. As with any important investment decision, reducing risk is critical and it is advisable to choose locations that are well-regulated."

The demand for investment is now so well established in the UAE that internationally renowned UK school Millfield is exploring the opportunity of expanding to Dubai.

David Williamson, Chair of the International Campus Committee for Millfield School said: "There is enormous demand for exceptional quality education systems in the UAE, and Millfield School is exploring opportunities for establishment in the UAE in partnership with CERT. We see great potential to expand into this region."

Williamson will be discussing what British independent schools have to offer and why a number have established campuses overseas. The Headmaster of Millfield, Craig Considine, will be explaining what the school has to offer to the MENA region.

The first two days of the event include presentations from various speakers including; Dino Varkey of GEMS Education, Edward Hobart -The British Consul General to Dubai, Dimitris Tsitsiragos of the IFC, Jens Yahya Zimmermann of New Silk Route Growth Capital, Fahim Muscatwalla of Abraaj Capital and Dr Ayoub Kazim of Dubai International Academic City.

The event is sponsored by Ernst & Young, GEMS Education, Clyde & Co, Thumbay Group. Education Investment MENA will also host a post conference workshop on October 10 with Greg Penoyre, senior partner at Penoyre & Prasad and Saad Abou Chakra, chairman of EDUGATES International.