Qtel Supports Major Telecom Investment Forum in Qatar
Operators, Investment Firms, Service Agents and Media Providers to Discuss Global Challenges and Opportunities in March
Doha, Qatar
Qtel today announced that it would support one of this year’s most significant meetings for the telecommunications industry, as Patron of the TMT Finance and Investment Middle East 2009.
The event, which is designed to bring together leading representatives from international telecommunications, investment and content provision organizations, is set to take place at a vital time for the industry, as the global economic climate is driving more companies to seek strategic alliances and new partnerships.
Globally, the Middle East remains one of the most dynamic regions for telecommunications investment, with mobile phone market penetration surpassing 100% in countries like the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, all of which are supported by highly-developed network infrastructure.
Given the current economic turmoil, many industry observers believe this TMT Conference could be one of the most significant in the event’s history, as companies look to better understand how to balance risks and capture opportunities.
The choice of Qatar as the host nation for the event in particular reflects the nation’s growing stature within the industry, as the Qatari market enjoys greater liberalization and the national telecommunications provider, Qtel, moves towards its target of becoming one of the top 20 companies in the world by 2020.
According to a report from Informa Telecoms and Media, three of the five fastest-growing operators in the world are Gulf companies, with Qtel topping the growth list.
Adel Al Mutawa, Executive Director, Group Communications, said: “Qtel is proud to take on the role of Patron for the forthcoming TMT Finance and Investment Middle East 2009, which we believe will provide an important opportunity for dialogue and knowledge exchange across the industry. With the current challenges facing the world economy, it has never been more important for companies to innovate and look for synergies that help them reduce costs and get closer to their customers.”
One of the key areas of interest at the event will be a major roundtable on future investment strategies for the sector. With the majority of markets within the region now open to competition, and increasing levels of convergence between telecommunication services in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, developing the correct investment strategy could prove vital for international operators and investors.
According to analysis from Booz & Co., which is the Conference Partner for the event, some companies in developing markets may even be able to take advantage of the current economic climate to increase merger and acquisition activity, because of their strong cash flows and relatively low debt levels.
“In challenging economic times, there is more pressure than ever on the financial officers and strategy executives of major companies. For this reason, this year’s TMT Finance and Investment Middle East event will draw senior representatives from some of the world’s leading companies and we anticipate a very high standard of dialogue,” said Nicola Hayes, Vice President of BroadGroup.
The TMT Finance and Investment Middle East 2009 runs at the Sharq Village Hotel Doha, March 18-19, 2009 (www.tmtfinance.com).
