Cityscape Saudi Arabia Real Estate Development and Investment Conference, 14 June 2009, Jeddah, KSA
SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia was the Conference Investment Sponsor of the Cityscape Real Estate Development and Investment Conference held for the first time in KSA. The conference was under the patronage of HRH Prince Misha’al bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Jeddah. HE Adel Faqeeh, Mayor of Jeddah, delivered the key note address tackling the development of Jeddah’s city centre and the future of a contemporary Saudi Arabia. The panel discussed the current state of the Saudi Economic City Development and the long term impact on the Saudi Arabian business environment and the impact of the global financial crisis on Saudi real estate investment and development. Diab Chidiac, Director, Real Estate, paneled on the Effect of the Credit Crunch on Saudi Arabia. The discussion dwelt into affordability of houses for middle and low income citizens and the lack of efficient solutions that would allow members of this large social sector to become house owners and whether the private sector is willing to engage in affordable residential housing. Diab stressed that affordable housing has always been a government play and this would require an effective housing finance regulatory structure to stimulate the private sector to enter into this asset class enhancing the housing units’ affordability, and facilitating the housing loan decisions at the level of banks. He added there is an urgent need for an effective housing finance regulatory framework, of which the expected mortgage law is only part but not the whole. There is a dire need for developers in the Saudi Market. Diab concluded that small development and construction companies and young Saudi entrepreneurs should be given a chance.
SHUAA Capital GCC Investment Conference, 27 May 2009, London, UK
SHUAA Capital held its second GCC Investment Conference in Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park - London, themed at Restoring Investor Confidence in the GCC. The aim of the conference was to offer international investors an outlook into the future of the GCC countries and regaining their trust in their GCC investments. The conference also saw keynote speeches and panel sessions with regional business leaders and experts including H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman, Bin Zayed Group, UAE; H.H. Sheikha Hanadi Al Thani, Chairperson, Amwal Investment Co., Qatar; Mr. Abdulrahman Alsufiyani, VP SAGIA Funds Initiative, Regional Development, Saudi Arabia; Mr. Husam Hourani, Managing Partner, Tamimi & Company; Mr. Tom Healy, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange; Mr. Abdullah Bin Saleh Al Suweilmi, Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul); and; Mr. Kito de Boer, Director, Middle East North Africa, McKinsey & Company. The panels were followed by discussions that also gave the international investors the opportunity to bring forward some of their concerns with their current investments in the GCC and have round table or one to one discussions with senior management from leading GCC companies. Conference participants included the senior management of 17 leading GCC companies and over 150 international investors.
The Euromoney Saudi Arabia conference, 19 May 2009, Riyadh, KSA
SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia was a Lead Sponsor of the Euromoney Saudi Arabia conference. The program included presentations by several Saudi government and industry dignitaries who tackled the Saudi and GCC economy issues within the context of the global financial crisis. The Minister of Finance stated that Saudi Arabia’s economy has not seen a significant negative impact from the crisis due to the ‘sound economic policies adopted by the government’. He also discussed the suggested policies to be adopted in the Saudi economy to continue a steady growth despite the market volatility. SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia organized a workshop lead by Dr. Mahdi Matar, Head of Research/Chief Economist in SHUAA capital. The workshop hosted discussions from Dr. Suliman A. Al-Sakran, Associate Professor of Finance – King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, and Nabil Effat Chief Technical Analyst - SHUAA Capital. The workshop argued that while some investors treat GCC capital markets as a commodity play due to their reliance on oil as a major contributor to GDP, there are inherent differences that can be exploited. The panelists debated the lessons to be learned from the GCC market crash, what does it say about internal market correlation within the GCC, how do GCC markets correlate with international markets, and what opportunities have been created by geographical and sectoral divergences. The discussion also covered the performance of the various asset classes in the GCC and how able are the GCC markets to recover compared to their global peers.
The Private Equity International ME Forum, 10 March, 2009, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Partners was the Sponsor of the Private Equity International ME Forum in which discussion shed light on investing in the future of the region. The aim of the Forum was to help better delineate the means and methods with which private equity should engage with specific sectors, markets and economies. The program included keynote speeches from global thought leaders from outside the private equity industry, alongside panel discussions where senior figures within the asset class debated with their peers from industry, finance and government. Iyad Duwaji, Founder and Chairman of SHUAA Partners, headed the panel which discussed Private enterprises, and expressed that while gearing up for global markets: why standing still is not an option for MENA’s family-owned companies. Iyad debated the MENA family businesses strategic challenges and funding needs, and explained deal sourcing by building relationships with family owners. The panel concluded by bringing to light the success stories in backing family-owned businesses in the region and beyond.
Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, 2 March, 2009, Abu Dhabi, UAE
SHUAA Securities was the Associate Sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Economic forum, that was held on the 2nd and 3rd of March, 2009. The forum was held amidst a crisis shaking the global financial system, where Abu-Dhabi economy has shown a good deal of resilience coupled with a swift government response that was aimed at containing the fallout and allowing the local market to continue its normal course.
Mohammed Ali Yasin, CEO SHUAA Securities, spoke on Banking and Financial Markets in the Post-Crisis Era and discussed his views on how Banks and financial markets will continue to be challenged in 2009 and beyond by tight liquidity, lower profitability, sagging confidence and recession. The panel focused alsio on the outlook for UAE and gulf banks in 2009, and on what can the government do to ease the liquidity squeeze and boost bank lending. The panelists also discussed what can be done to plug in the funding gap brought about by the crisis, and whether the crisis force consolidation in the banking sector. The discussion was concluded by how the UAE financial markets are likely to fare in 2009.
SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia Investor Conference, 2 December, 2008, London, UK
The conference, held in the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London, brought together blue-chip companies from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and premier international institutional investors. SHUAA Capital ceased the occasion to announce that the Saudi Capital Market Authority has granted a brokerage license to its subsidiary SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia which will be authorized to commence offering its international clients access to companies listed on the Saudi's stock exchange (Tadawul). Omar Al Jaroudi, CEO SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia commented that Saudi Arabia’s modernizing agenda and strong fundamentals create opportunities for many listed companies especially after the Saudi Capital Markets Authority’s decision to allow international investors access to the Saudi Stock Exchange. The conference comes at the best time to reach out to leading international institutional investors and gives direct access to the senior management of the key Saudi Arabian companies while offering US and European investors a unique opportunity to make better and more informed decisions. Companies attending included: Al Marai, Dar Al Arkan, Emaar Economic City, Mobily, Maaden, Red Sea Housing, Saudi Cables, SABB (Saudi British Bank), Saudi Research and Marketing Group, Saudi Telecom and Astra Industrial Group.
GAIM ME, 16 November, 2008, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Asset Management was the Founding Sponsor of the Global Alternative Investment Management conference which shed the light on the Middle Eastern perspective on how gulf investors are assessing the investment outlook both internationally, regionally and domestically after the credit crunch. On that same note, Haissam Arabi moderated a distinguished panel of speakers on how the developments in the gulf investment environments are affecting future returns in the GCC region. In addition, volatility and liquidity were issues examined in detail along with the future for environmentally driven investing; real estate dilemmas; opportunities in real assets such as commodities including gold, agriculture and infrastructure; as well as strategies for dealing with dislocated markets.
The Euromoney Egypt Conference, 20 October, 2008, Cairo, Egypt
Euromoney Egypt discussed the top of the hour topic of the global credit crunch and its effect on the Egyptian economy. 1500 attendees listened to the key note presentations of senior politicians and experts similar to the Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Nazif, Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali, Dr Tarek Kamel, Dr. Hassan Younes, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Mr. Mohamed Mansour and many other notable contributors. Mohammed Yasin, CEO of SHUAA Securities, joined a distinguished panel on the second day to discuss the securities market structure. The discussion tapped on the CMA regulatory actions, the introduction of the Egyptian FSA, and the progress of the Nilex after one year of its introduction.
TradeTech Middle East, 15 June 2008, Dubai , UAE
SHUAA Securities was the principal sponsor of TradeTech ME which shed the light on successful trading strategies that maximises profits. The event exhibited an insight on the competitive advantage of privileged information on developments in regulation and technology. TradeTech also discussed the ways to boost trading margins by streamlining front, middle and back office processes. Mohamed Yasin, MD SHUAA Securities, was one of the event’s prominent speakers whereby he presented on the ‘Towards integrated trading in the GCC: Developing the regional brokerage’ topic. Mohamed elaborated on the need for an integrated trading in the gulf, and what are the foreign limitations and restrictions, and how a truly regional brokerage can benefit investors.
The EUROMONEY Saudi Arabia Conference, 6 May 2008, Riyadh, KSA
SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia was the lead sponsor of the Euromoney KSA conference. The conference focused on the internationalisation of the Saudi financial sector and financing opportunities in the Kingdom. It also discussed how the desert nation is integrating into the global financial system and how the world is looking at Saudi Arabia as both an opportunity and a partner. Diab Chidiac, Director Real Estate, SHUAA Capital KSA, joined the real estate panel and discussed this booming sector in Saudi Arabia and the GCC, and how developers can gain access to long-term loans, stimulate the financial sector and continue to increase access to the wider population. Walid Shihabi, Director, Head of Research at SHUAA Capital, conducted a workshop on ‘Investment research: Role, requirement, challenges and pitfalls’. Mahdi Matar, Chief Economist & Strategist, SHUAA Capital, and James Passin, Co-Founder and Fund Manager, Firebird Global Fund I and Firebird Global Fund II, discussed the role of investment research in an investment bank, how does it fit in with the bank’s overall strategy and how does investment research add value to the clients.
Asian Pension and Investments Summit, 21 April 2008, Hong Kong
SHUAA Asset management were sponsors of the Asian Pension and Investments which hosted the gate keepers of the Asian pensions funds. Among the topics reviewed were the optimal ways to manage pensions risks, fund management and portfolio construction and diversification.
The 3rd Annual Failaka Islamic Award, 24 March 2008, Duabi, UAE
SHUAA Asset Management sponsored the Annual Failaka Award which hosted global fund managers and drew attention to the growth and broadening interest in the Shariah compliant investment funds. The 2008 award event featured two industry insights, one on exchange-traded funds and emerging markets funds and another on the Gulf Cooperation Council capital markets in this year. During this event, SHUAA Asset Management’s Arab Islamic Gateway Fund – the Islamic version of its flagship Arab Gateway Fund – was awarded Best MENA Fund 2007.
The 2008 Private Equity International Middle East Forum, 4 March 2008, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Partners sponsored the 2008 PEI Middle East Forum which was attended by over 550 regional and international delegates. Thought leaders discussed the forum theme on “The Region Taking its Place on the World Stage', and examined the development of the Middle Eastern private equity industry and the lessons that can be learned from what is happening in other regions around the world. Iyad Duwaji, Chairman of SHUAA Partners, paneled on the ‘Evolution not revolution: how Middle Eastern private equity is set to evolve’ topic and shared his views on how Private Equity in the Middle East differs from other regions. In more specific terms, as PE is becoming a mainstream, would the asset class be fully understood in the region by all the right people, and what would be the prominent issues that should be addressed when obstacles arise.
The Abu Dhabi Economic Forum, 3 February 2008, Abu Dhabi, UAE
SHUAA Capital was the platinum sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Economic forum which congressed prominent public and private figures. The forum discussed how Abu Dhabi presented a model development case in terms of its drive to build a competitive economy based on heavy investment in energy, basic industries, infrastructure, tourism, and real estate, combined with a restructuring of the public sector, economic liberalization, and full commitment to globalization. Presenters shed light on the core elements and objectives of the economic strategy, the role of the government & Policy Agenda 2007-2008 alongside the role of the private sector. Mohamed Ali Yasin, MD SHUAA Securities, paneled on the opportunities and challenges for the growth of banking in Abu Dhabi and UAE, in which Abu Dhabi evolved as a financial and banking hub, as well as the prospective abilities of banks in meeting financing needs of the economy
The 2007 EUROMONEY Saudi Arabia Conference, 8 May 2007, Riyadh, KSA
SHUAA Capital was the lead sponsor of The 2007 EUROMONEY Saudi Arabia Conference. Walid Shihabi, Director, Head of Research presented a workshop on “The Saudi Arabian equity market in a global context’ . Walid was also joined by Anatoly Romanovsky, Hermitage Capital Management, and Khalid Ghayur, MSCI Barra who shared their views on the topic in an interactive session.
The 2007 Private Equity International Middle East Forum, 19 March 2007, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Partners, the private equity arm of SHUAA Capital was a lead sponsor of the of The 2007 Private Equity International Middle East Forum. Iyad Duwaji, Chairman of SHUAA Partners was a panelist on “Putting Funds to Work: Where are the attractive Investment Opportunities for Local Private Equity Firms”.
Global Pension Investment Forum, 7 February 2007, Monte Carlo, Monaco, France
SHUAA capital was a Corporate Plenary Partner in the Global Pension Investment Forum, and Haissam Arabi, MD SHUAA Asset Management spoke on “The Arabian Opportunities, The Story continues”.
The 2006 Emerging Markets Private Equity Forum, 30 November 2006, London, UK
SHUAA Partners, the private equity arm of SHUAA Capital was present at the conference as a Lead sponsor. Iyad Duwaji, Chairman of SHUAA Partners was a panelist on “The Mechanics of Emerging Markets Deals: Identifying the Target, Extra Due Diligence, Executing the Deal” .
EUROMONEY DIFC Annual Conference, 30 November 2006, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Capital has Lead Sponsored the EUROMONEY DIFC Annual Conference and had executive participation on many levels. Haissam Arabi, MD SHUAA Asset Management was a panel on “Roadmap for Investors” . SHUAA Capital also hosted a workshop on “Are Gulf Markets an Asset Class a Series of Investments Opportunities or Both?” in which Walid Shihabi, Director, Head of Research and Salam Saadeh, MD Capital Markets shared their views on the subject with Greg O’Mahoney from GLS Capital.
World Leadership Summit, 21 November, 2006, Abu Dhabi, UAE
SHUAA Capital sponsored the World Leadership Summit where prominent figures from around the world expressed their views on the world’s pressing issues and discussed how to develop humanity values and emphasized leadership thinking and action.
The Middle East Capital Markets, 20 November 2006, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Capital was represented in the Middle East Capital Markets by Salam Saadeh, MD Capital Markets who addressed her views with a panel on “The Gulf Capital Markets: a Growing Global Force” .
IFR Capital Markets Conference, 30 October 2006, London, UK
SHUAA Capital was a lead sponsor of the IFR Capital Markets Conference where Haissam Arabi, MD SHUAA Asset Management was a panelist on the “Following the Money”.
The Second Economic Syrian Emarati Forum, 10th of June 2006, Damascus, Syria
SHUAA Capital as the gold sponsor of the Second Economic Syrian Emarati Forum and was represented by Iyad Duwaji, CEO.
The Second Turkish Arab Economic Forum, 8th of June, 2006, Istanbul, Turkey
SHUAA Capital was the platinum sponsor of the 2nd Turkish Arab Economic Forum where Iyad Duwaji, CEO spoke on the ‘Prospects of Expanding Turkish Arab Investment Flows and Role of Capital Markets”. The forum attracted a high profile of social and political figures.
Funds World ME 2006, 5th of June, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Capital was the platinum sponsor of the Funds World ME, and Haissam Arabi, MD SHUAA Asset Management spoke on the “Examining the Opportunities in the Arab Markets Moving Forward and Assessing the Various Investment Options Available.” Haissam also paneled on the “What is the Current outlook on Raising Capital through the Intermediaries in both the Middle east and internationally.”
European Pension & Investments Summit, 15th of May, 2006, Switzerland
SHUAA Capital was in main sponsorship of the European Pension & Investments Summit and was represented by Iyad Duwaji, CEO, Salam Saadeh, MD Capital Markets, and Haissam Arabi, MD Asset Management.
The 2006 Annual Conference ME Capital Markets, 25th of April 2006, New York, USA
SHUAA Capital was present in a gold sponsorship in the ABANA Annual Conference ME Capital Markets through the executive participation of Salam Saadeh, MD Capital Markets, and Walid Shihabi, Head of Research.
Qatar Economic Forum, 17th of April , 2006, Doha, Qatar
SHUAA Capital was present as a gold sponsor of the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. The forum witnessed a high profile attendance of a number of market players and decision makers.
IPO and Asset Management ME conference, 27th of March 2006, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Capital was a gold sponsor of the IPO and Asset Management ME and was represented on by Haissam Arabi, MD SHUAA Asset Management and Makram Kubeisy, MD Investment Banking.
Private Equity Middle East Forum, 20th of March 2006, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Capital was present as a gold sponsor in the Private Equity Middle East Forum where Iyad Duwaji, CEO addressed the panel on the: ”Deal Flow in the Middle East: Future opportunities – which countries, what sectors” the conference was organized by Private Equity International and took please in Dubai, UAE.
WOEIBEX, the 8th Global Business Women Forum, 7th of March 2006, Dubai UAE
SHUAA Capital gold sponsored the WOEIBEX forum which took place in Burj Al Arab, Dubai UAE, and gathered under its roof a number of leading female business talents in the region. Salam Saadeh, MD of Capital Markets had an interactive contribution on the first day when she discussed the “Future of Business Women in the Middle East Economy”.
1st IPO Summit, 25th of February 2006, Dubai, UAE
SHUAA Capital was the Gold sponsor of the 1st IPO Summit which took place in Al Murooj Rotana, Dubai, UAE. SHUAA Capital had an executive participation on the first day of the conference in a panel discussion on the “Identifying the Gaps – Where the Letter of the Law and Actual Practice Fail to Connect”.