Forecasting financial trends key to overcoming Eurozone crisis agree regional experts

With this in mind, the 6th Annual CFO Strategies Forum Middle East opened its first day at the Atlantis - The Palm Hotel in Dubai with a panel discussion on the impact and pressure the Eurozone crisis is placing on growing companies and the larger corporations of MENA.

Ziad Makhzoumi, Luciano Poli and Tharwat Amer - CFOs at Arabtec Holding PJSC, Sadara Chemical Company and Jadwa Investment respectively - were joined by Tim Fox, Head of Research and Chief Economist at Emirates NBD.

"Forecasting trends is one of the most important aspects of dealing with the Eurozone crisis. It not only prepares CFOs to deal with the risks ahead, but also helps develop a strategy for growth in the upcoming scenarios," noted Fox.

The forum comprised of over eight hours of networking and knowledge sharing sessions which brought together CFOs from across the Middle East to understand the current climate.

The two-day platform is the brainchild of French business information group Naseba, and its new format features eight strategic business workshops led by industry experts addressing subjects such as effective project financing.

Ziad Makhzoumi explained, "Naseba's annual CFO conference is an event that l always look forward to. It is the leader in stimulating discussions on critical matters that CFOs and other executives must address in a business world which is constantly changing. The format in such that dialogue is quickly established - it's exciting, challenging and very effective."

One such workshop led by Marsh Insco - one of the leading risk management consultants in the Middle East - sought to determine the importance of enterprise risk management. Latham and Watkins and Berenson and Company led another entitled Key strategies and techniques for financial restructuring - where they presented award-winning case studies on organisational and financial restructuring across the globe as well as the region by the expert who facilitated it.

Sophie Le Ray, Chief Executive Officer at Naseba, highlighted, "This forum is bringing together some of the most respected CFOs in the region. With the ongoing Eurozone crisis, emerging markets in the MENA region hold great potential; this is why our new format incorporates knowledge-sharing, discussions and networking opportunities so attendees can learn, share and apply tried and tested growth strategies."