QInvest, Qatar’s leading investment bank, today welcomed over 450 leaders and decision makers from the world of industry and finance banking experts to its 3rd Annual Qatar Global Investment Forum 2011, hosted by H.E. Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Jaber Al Thani, QInvest’s Chairman.
Following a welcome address by H.E. Sheikh Jassim, the event, organized by Institutional Investor Conferences and supported by Lead Sponsor Qatar Financial Center Authority, brought together international and regional investors with industry leaders, and high-profile government officials at the Four Seasons Hotel, Doha - Qatar.
In his welcome Address, H.E. Sheikh Jassim talked about the current challenging times. His addressed included some highlights on the european sovereign risk as it continues to create uncertainty with markets assessing the risk of contagion as the story moves from Greece to Italy and other European countries come under scrutiny. He added that the most recent data indicates the U.S. market’s chances of avoiding recession are improving, longer term reduced growth rates may prevail.
Sheikh Jassim mentioned about other emerging markets in Asia. He said that whilst these markets are positioned for long term favourable growth, they are impacted with lower growth projections in the shorter term. This uncertainty, compounded by continuing concerns over potential systemic risk in Europe, continues to generate imbalances and extreme volatility in global markets.
He concluded talking about the forum and its agenda while
thanking H.E. Mr. Mehmet Simsek, Turkey’s Minister of
Finance, Professor Nassim Taleb, Ms. Nadine Hani,
distinguished speakers and panellists, the organizers and
sponsors, the media and audience.
Commenting on the success of the forum, Shahzad Shahbaz,
QInvest’s CEO and one of the speakers in the Qatar Country
Focus Panel Discussion, said: “Qatar has experienced
significant growth in recent years. Money from oil and
natural gas continues to be channelled into the economy
while government policies enable the private sector to
prosper in the building of a modern state.”
“QGIF 2011 has once again attracted some of the most prominent leaders in industry and finance across our region and internationally who have come together to share some of their latest thinking on investment strategies in Qatar, the region, and more internationally. Their perspectives on opportunities and risks will shape the way forward for many delegates who attended QGIF today .” Shahbaz added.
The most high-profile investment focused event held in Qatar this year, QGIF 2011 attracted more than 450 delegates from over 30 countries. Keynote speeches, Interactive panel discussions, and a networking Evening Reception gave delegates to gain a unique insight into the outlook for Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the major growth economies surrounding the region including Turkey and India. It covered the region's investment climate, and new investment strategies and global perspectives being adopted by industry experts post crisis environment.
H.E. Mehmet Simsek, Turkey’s Minister of Finance, delivered a keynote address about the global economic outlook with a special focus on Turkey.
A keynote speech titled “fragility” was delivered by Professor Nassim Taleb, the author of “The Black Swan” and distinguished scientific advisor to Universa Investments LP. Mr. Ahmed Fattouh, the founder and CEO of Landmark & Globalist Funds joined Professor Taleb.
Complementing this high quality forum, Al Arabiya News Channel’s Anchor, Mrs. Nadine Hani, moderated the Forum. Nadine, following Professor Taleb’s speech, moderated the forum’s panels that explored the outlook of Qatar, GCC and the major growth economies surrounding the region including Turkey and India. Additionally, the panels highlighted some of the key characteristics, sectors that will drive growth, and the risks and challenges that may impact growth and investment, including the global financial crisis, of these economies.
The Qatar Country Focus session included Eng. Abdulla Abdulaziz T. Al Subaie the Group CEO of BARWA Real Estate and MD and Board Member of Qatar Railway Company, Mr. Shahzad Shahbaz the Chief Executive Officer of QInvest and Dr. Hessa Al Jaber the Secretary General Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology – ictQATAR. The panel covered the way forward to 2022 and beyond, and the significant opportunities for both foreign and private sector investment. Key sectors of Real Estate and the Financial sector emphasizing the development of the Asset Management industry, were explored together with the role of Technology in the country’s growth plans.
The Saudi Arabia session, following the Qatar panel, included the outlook for the Financial Sector, foreign investment opportunities, and an analysis of the Kingdom’s best performing sectors in particular Infrastructure, are all key themes that were discussed. Respected panellists include Sheikh Mubarak AlKahfrah the Chairman of Saudi Hollandi Bank and Tasnee, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Saad Al-Rashid the Chairman of Saudi Services for Electro Mechanical Works, Mr. Abdulla Mohammed Al Zamil the CEO of Zamil Industrial and Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib the Founder and the Chairman of Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group.
Breaking for lunch, and after QFC round table feedback, the forum commenced with Turkey Country Focus Panel Discussion. Distinguished panellists focused on Turkey’s economic outlook and best performing sectors, the sustainability of Turkish economic growth rates, the impact of the European debt crisis, Turkey’s eastward focus and financial sector ownership changes taking place in the country. The Turkish delegation included Mr. Atilla Kurama the Deputy Chairman of Gozde Financial Services and Board Member of Yildiz Holding, Mr. Hakam Kanafani the Group CEO and member of the Board of Türk Telekom and Mr. Ismail Demir the Deputy Chairman of Turkish Airlines Technic.
Following the Turkish Panel and before Wrap up and Close of the forum, delegates had the opportunity to hear from well reputed panellists from India. They discussed India’s economic outlook, the extent to which domestic consumption will drive economic growth, implications for investors with respect to the political outlook and regulatory changes, India’s position versus other emerging markets, and investment prospects in key sectors of Infrastructure and Power. The India session included Dr. Rajiv Lall the MD and CEO of IDFC, Mr. Ashwani Windlass the Non-Executive Director to Max India Ltd and Mr. Ashok Wadhwa the Group CEO of Ambit Group.
The QGIF 2011 was backed by local, regional and international media. Media sponsors include Al Sharq newspaper, AsiaMoney, Banker Middle East, EMEA Finance, EUROMONEY, Forbes Middle East, FTSE Global Markets, Global Finance, International Herald Tribune, MENA Fund Review and Peninsula newspaper.