MENA Investment Management Forum starts tomorrow in Doha

Qatar Financial Centre

The Qatar Financial Centre Authority announces the beginning of the Middle East and North Africa Investment Management Forum, taking place in Qatar from October 2^nd 2011 until October 5^th 2011 at Grand Hyatt hotel Doha. The forum will gather leading asset management and investment experts, opinion formers and investment decision makers from all countries of the MENA region. Previously known as FundForum Middle East, this is the first time the conference, the premier event for the asset management industry, has come to Qatar and will be officially inaugurated by H.E. Yousef Hussain Kamal, the Minister of Economy & Finance at the State of Qatar on October 3^rd.

Commenting on the MENA Investment Management Forum, Shashank Srivastava, Acting CEO of Qatar Financial Centre Authority: "The fact that such a prestigious event has come to Doha is further recognition that Qatar is developing into the region’s pre-eminent hub for asset management. We look forward to welcoming the leaders of the regional and international investment management community and we wish them a productive event.”

The MENA Investment Management Forum will present a summit day dedicated exclusively to Emerging Market Investing, with topics spanning from the Economic Outlook for Emerging Markets and a closer look at commodities and their importance in driving EM growth, to specific focus on the BRIC markets and the role of indices. A Big Picture day will feature some of the leading economic minds, experts in oil and commodity prices, and top level executives for a broad view of the dynamics underpinning the current investment landscape and the repercussions for the asset management industry. A day will be dedicated to the retail asset management business, with a focus on distribution, wealth management and mutual funds, followed by a day covering the institutional business, asset allocation and investment strategies and product design. The conference will also host a number of networking events.

As a key partner of the Forum, the Qatar Financial Centre Authority will host the panel “Identifying the Emerging Opportunities for Foreign Managers and Investors in This Resource Rich Country”. Commencing on Monday, October 3^rd at 3.30 pm, the panel will be moderated by Nigel Sillitoe, CEO, Insight Discovery with speakers from Qatar National Bank, Axa Investment Management and Amwal Asset Management.