Bloomber hosts frontier conference in Doha.

Bloomberg Doha Conference
April 16th - 17th, 2012

The Ritz Carlton West Bay Lagoon Doha, Qatar
Please note that the program is subject to change.
DAY 1 Monday, April 16th, 2012

8:30 am
SPECIAL ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCEH. E. Yousef Hussain Kamal, Minister of Economy and Finance, State of Qatar
8:50 am
SPECIAL ADDRESS BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF QFCAAbdulrahman Ahmad Al-Shaibi, Managing Director and Board Member, Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA); Director of Finance, Qatar Petroleum Group
9:10 am
SESSION BREAK
9:40 am
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONNemir Kirdar, Founder, Executive Chairman and CEO, Investcorp
10:00 am
PRIVATE EQUITY: A CHANGING LANDSCAPEPrior to 2000 most PE activity occurred in Egypt due to the favorable regulatory environment, strong macroeconomic fundamentals and privatization activities in the country. Since then PE activity across the ME has grown exponentially. The wealth amassed by oil producing nations has provided funding to many local PE funds. The ability of ME based firms to tap into the region’s business networks is where their strength lies. The global financial has indeed impacted PE in the Middle East prompting it to re invent itself. What do recent events mean for deal restructuring? What are the tax and regulatory environment like? Which sectors to invest in? Who is investing in emerging and frontier markets? Can you deploy money safely and how? We will also look at partnerships between local groups and international funds.Confirmed Speakers:Karim El Solh, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Capital Pvt. JSCAdditional Speakers to be AnnouncedInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
10:40 am
THE MIDDLE EAST: TRANSFERRING FROM AN OIL BASED ECONOMYThe drive to build a sustainable, non-oil-based economy is a common goal amongst the Middle Eastern economies. Diversifying is vital to the continued success of the region. Many Middle East Countries are moving to develop “knowledge-based” economies. Higher education, particularly in technical areas, and innovation are seen as key to making the transition to a varied economy. Despite referring to the Middle East, it is important to recognize that each country has substantial differences and therefore developing strengths in key areas. Some of these include Qatar’s education drive coupled with its massive programme of construction and development ahead of the world cup. Oman is focusing on infrastructure and stimulus, whilst Abu Dhabi has its growth vision for 2030. Confirmed Speakers:Brad Bourland, Chief Economist. Research Department, Jadwa Investment Co.Interviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
11:10 am
REGULATION IN QATARCompliance rules and regulations necessary to do business in Qatar. A look at the process which encourages efficiency and transparency for firms conducting business in the country.Speakers to be Announced
11:40 am
BANKING 2012 We will look at the changing face of investment banking globally following the turbulent last few years. Revenues across the board including the Middle East have tumbled and been compounded by the region’s political upheaval. What does this mean for banks looking to pursue deals in the region? We will look at M&A activity along with a growing reluctance of companies to pay fees for banking advisory services. This has led to a trend in relocating senior bankers back to Europe, the US and Asia. Despite this restructuring, the region still remains better placed that many other areas and continues to generate new opportunities.Confirmed Speakers:Philippe Jouard, Founder and CEO, Concordia Capital LLCTimothy R.M. Main, Senior Advisor, Evercore Partners Inc.Additional Speakers to be AnnouncedInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
12:20 pm
THE POWER OF THE GCCAmidst the global financial crisis the GCC group of countries provides an arena to invest successfully in various sectors including real estate and bonds. We will look at Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi as we investigate the allure of the world’s largest oil exporter and home to the greatest reserves of natural gas. What are the opportunities for foreign direct investment?Confirmed Speakers:Abdullattif Al-Meer, Managing Director, QInvestFarah Foustok, CEO and CIO, ING Investment Management Middle EastPaul Gamble, Head of Research, Jadwa InvestmentInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
1:00 pm
LUNCH BREAK
2:15 pm
WELCOME BACK REMARKS
2:20 pm
ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWWilbur L. Ross, Jr., Chairman and CEO, WL Ross & Co. LLCInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
2:50 pm
ASSET MANGEMENT: THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRYWhat are the challenges facing asset managers?Confirmed Speakers:Todd J. Cassler, Senior Managing Director, Head of Institutional Sales, John Hancock Funds, LLCV. Shankar, Group Executive Director and CEO - Europe, Middle East, Africa & Americas, Standard Chartered BankChristian Thwaites, President and CEO, Sentinel InvestmentsInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
3:30 pm
ISLAMIC FINANCEGlobal sales of sukuk jumped 52 percent to $26.5 billion in 2011 from 2010, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. There appears to be a growing appetite for Islamic Finance across the Arab world and beyond. Amidst changing Governments, countries like Egypt and Morocco may indeed turn to Islamic Finance.The difficulty surrounding Shariah compliant finance continues as companies like Goldman Sachs struggle with compliance laws, highlighting the need for increased standards and rules that apply globally. Despite these challenges, the appeal if Islamic finance looks to be enduring as Saudi Arabia debuts its first sale of Islamic Bonds.Confirmed Speakers:Emad Mansour, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar First Investment Bank (QIB)Additional Speakers to be AnnouncedInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
4:10 pm
POLITICAL RISK IN THE REGION AND BEYONDThe wave of uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa has had major impacts on the risks of doing business in the region whilst also providing an array of new opportunities. Banks, businesses and insurance companies have re priced political risk in these emerging markets. Oil prices also reacted rapidly with prices rising above $100 per barrel and natural gas supplies were severely disrupted.There are also fears that the opportunities thought possible by the Arab Spring maybe turning into a state of instability?The mix of instability and political vacuums has also paved the way for the wealthy regional states and outside investors to capitalize on the remains of revolution. We take a look at due diligence and which sectors hold the least risk? We will also take a look at equity, bond and foreign direct investment strategies amidst the current turmoil.Confirmed Speakers:Daniel Broby, Chief Investment Officer, Silk Invest LtdJeffrey Woodruff, Senior Director, Energy, Utilities & Regulation, Fitch RatingsAdditional Speakers to be AnnouncedInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
4:50 pm
TAKEAWAYS: WHAT WE HEARD TODAYBloomberg journalists and experts summarize the key points from the day’s sessions.
5:00 pm
CONFERENCE ADJOURNS FOR DAY ONE
7:00 pm
RECEPTION
8:00 pm
DINNER
10:00 pm
END OF DAY ONE ACTIVITIES
DAY 2 Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
8:30 am
PARTICIPANT CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
9:00 am
DAY TWO OPENING REMARKS
9:10 am
QATAR 2022; HOW THE WORLD CUP WILL TRANSFORM THE REGION AND A LOOK AT EDUCATION ENDEAVORS IN THE QATARQatar plans $100 billion in infrastructure projects in the run-up to its hosting the 2022 World Cup.Confirmed Speakers:Amer Al Adhadh, Advisor for Private Sector & Enterprise Development, PPP Directorate, Ministry of Business & Trade, State of QatarAdditional Speakers to be AnnouncedInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
10:15 am
REAL ESTATETopics to be discussed:-Emerging market investment: where are the opportunities?-Zell’s take on countries in: Middle East (Abu Dahbi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Columbia); and Asia (India, China, Mongolia)-Zell’s strategy in entering investments in emerging markets-The impact of the global financial turmoil on opportunities and risksSam Zell, Chairman, Equity Group Investments, L.L.C.Interviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
10:45 am
BREAK
11:15 am
WHERE IS THE SMART MONEY GOINGWhat lessons on monetary union are provided for the Gulf Cooperation Council by the crisis in the euro area? As current account surpluses in the region move back toward pre-crisis levels will pressure increase on the GCC countries to adopt more flexible exchange rate regimes? What effects - transmitted through the currency pegs - have quantitative easing in the U.S. had on the region? Confirmed Speakers:Mark Brown, Managing Director, Head of BNRI, Barclays CapitalDavid W. Rolley, Co-Head of Global Fixed Income, Loomis Sayles & Company. L.P.Patrick M. Thomson, Managing Director and Global Head of Sovereigns, J.P. Morgan Asset ManagementInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
12:00 pm
AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ: FINDING OPPORTUNITY IN THE AFTERMATHWhat happens to an economy when the troops leave? A hearty group of investors are plunging into Iraq and Afghanistan to seize on opportunities they see in countries upended by wars over the past decade. The panel will explore the strategy and tactics of true frontier investing, seeking to understand how risk and reward manifest themselves in Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond.Confirmed Speakers:Bartle Bull, Partner, Head of Public Securities, Northern Gulf PartnersDick Keil, Advisor to Paul Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Defense Additional Speaker to be AnnouncedInterviewed by:Bloomberg News Journalist
12:45 pm
TAKEAWAYS: WHAT WE HEARD TODAYBloomberg journalists and experts summarize the key points from the day’s sessions.
1:00 pm
CLOSING REMARKS & CONFERENCE ADJOURNSLUNCH BREAK
2:00 pm
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES (OPTIONAL)
5:00 pm
END OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES