Investment industry well placed for the next phase: Bahrain

Manama : The investment industry in the Middle East has tremendous potential to progress to the next level of development was the view from more than 200 international industry leaders gathered at the inaugural Middle East Asset Management Forum (MEAMF 2016), which opened today at the Gulf Hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 

The event was held under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and supported by the Bahrain Asset Managers Association. Co-convened by UK-based Ethico Live, MEAMF 2016 was attended by industry players representing over 70 international organizations and featured a powerful line-up of expert speakers who discussed topics focused on the theme of: The Road Ahead in the MENA Investment Industry.

The Forum opened with a keynote session featuring Abdul Rahman M. Al Baker, Executive Director – Financial Institutions Supervision at the Central Bank of Bahrain and Dr. Ahmed Al Jawhary, Chairman of the Bahrain Asset Managers Association (BAMA), who discussed the ongoing progress of the regional asset management industry. This was followed by another high-profile session featuring Nabil Hamadeh, Chief Executive Officer of Capital Growth Management WLL, Shakeel Sarwar, Head of Asset Management of Securities & Investment Company (SICO) and Walid Mourad, Senior Vice President – Portfolio Manager/Analyst of Lazard Gulf Limited, who addressed the significant changes that are set to reshape the asset management industry both globally and within the MENA region. 

Speaking on the sidelines of MEAMF 2016, Al Baker said that: “Bahrain is already the Gulf’s most established fund distribution centre and is an internationally recognized financial hub, with the financial services sector in Bahrain being not only the largest sector of the non-oil economy but also the largest employer.”

The Middle East Asset Management Forum 2016 also highlighted new opportunities in emerging and frontier markets and this session was led by Johannes Van der Dong, Chief Investment Officer of Takaud Savings and Pensions B.S.C; Dr. Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief Economist of the Economic Development Board of Bahrain (EDB); and Yazan M. Abdeen, Lead Fund Manager, Head of MENA Capital Markets of SEDCO CAPITAL.

Another major highlight at Day 1 of MEAMF 2016 was a live interview session featuring renowned industry leader Anthony Mallis, Vice Chair of the Disciplinary Committee at the Bahrain Bourse, and Managing Principal of Mallis & Co, who shared his experience and insights into the regional investment industry during this interactive onstage interview at the Forum.

The Middle East Asset Management Forum 2016 continues today with a series of Interactive Dialogues.