MEED, the primary source of business intelligence for the Middle East, today announced it has lined up more than 25 influential speakers to share expert perspectives on pan-regional investment at the 20th edition of the Middle East Capital Markets conference in Abu Dhabi.

The longest running conference in the capital markets industry, Middle East Capital Markets 2010 will be held from 25 – 26 October at Crowne Plaza, Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi. Themed ‘Rebuilding Growth – Focus on the Future’, the event will comprise a two-day conference and one-day master-class.

Keynote speakers at the conference will include Jeff Singer, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai, Khalid Deeb, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Centre for Corporate Governance, Dr. Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief Economist of National Commercial Bank (NCB), Zeina Tabari, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Drake and Scull International, and Gaurang Desai, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX).

The conference will explore the potential for resumption of regional initial public offerings (IPO), the global macro-economic scenario, impact of the euro crises on regional markets, global sovereign debt issues and their impact on the GCC markets, investor and issuer attitudes to the debt-versus-equity issue, as well as measures to tackle the challenge of declining volumes in regional markets, the sukuk market, role of private equity, and current debt issuance activities.

Edmund O’Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events, said: “In a region that is renowned for business enterprises and governments looking at raising long-term funds, the Middle East Capital Markets conference will aim to provide a fresh perspective on the regional investment landscape. Industry experts will offer their insight into developing the capital markets in the region to better compete with conventional finance.

“This conference will give attendees an opportunity to listen, debate and introduce business to the leaders of the regional capital markets and network with the market makers, analysts and issuers in a uniquely integrated environment.”

The conference will comprise a stimulating and challenging programme of discussions that address topics relevant to the regional capital markets. It will also include debate-themed sessions that cut to the core of the fundamental issues in the region.

Campbell Steedman, Senior Partner and head of corporate finance, Middle East from Norton Rose Middle East (LLP), said: “There are a large number of capital markets in the Middle East, some of which have been established only relatively recently. As a result, there are a number of obstacles holding back the development and progression of capital markets in the Middle East at present, including issues around liquidity. However, as the financial crisis starts to abate, and the appetite for risk increases with investor confidence, we would hope to see increased activity in the region’s capital markets.

“As a leading international legal practice, Norton Rose Group has an understanding of what drives our clients and the industries they operate in. Our strength lies in our strong industry knowledge and sector expertise that enable us to support our clients. Sharing our legal understanding with businesses and the community at the Middle East Capital Markets conference will not only help us gain a better understanding of the current thoughts on the capital markets in the region but will also allow us to share our insights with market participants.”

Steve Drake, Partner – Capital Markets Middle East of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), said: “We have seen a marked improvement generally in the capital markets since this time last year with a pick-up in public debt issuances evident across the region, including a strengthening appetite for Dubai paper more recently. We tend to see a time lag between a pick-up in the debt markets and the equity markets and there are already signs of life in certain equity market valuations. Consequently, we would expect to see a return to the markets for certain issuers early in 2011.

“PwC’s regional Capital Markets team work closely with regional issuer’s looking to access the capital markets through all phases of the listing process and specifically with respect to preparing the business and management team for the transition to life as a public company. A key focus for a private business is being ready for that transition and recognising that your stakeholder base on listing is different with broader expectations to be managed. Through years of providing structured capital markets advice to our clients, PwC is best placed to support you with your listing aspirations.”

Since 1991 MEED’s Middle East Capital Markets conference has brought together bankers, government officials, regulators, exchanges, the corporate sector and investors to discuss the most important issues facing the region’s markets and forge long-lasting, beneficial business relationships. In 2009, more than 80 professionals gathered for the event that focused on the role of the market in restoring balance sheets for a return to growth.
 

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