QFCA announces Doha will host flagship investment forum

The Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFC Authority) has announced that the 5th Annual MENA Investment Management Forumwill be held in Doha from the 2^ndto the 6^thOctober 2011. Previously known asFundForum Middle East, this is the first time the flagship conference has come to Qatar. It will offer Qatari financial service companies the opportunity to interact with their peersfrom across the region, to discuss the trends, opportunities and challenges facing the industry. The Forum will be officially opened by H.E. YousefHussain Kamal, the Minister of Economy & Finance.

ICBI launched FundForum Middle East in 2007 as a regional partner to the FundForum International conference, whichhas been running for 20 years. Over the last four years the summit and convention has attracted leading financial and investment experts from firms operating across the GCC. It is the premier event for the asset management industry.

Shashank Srivastava, acting CEO of the QFC Authority commented: “The MENA Investment Management Forum moving to Doha is further recognition thatQatar is becoming the regional centre for the asset management industry. Supported by one of the fastest growing economies in the world, high levels of institutional and retail wealth and an increasing breadth and depth of investible assets, Qatar is able to provide investment managers emerging market returns at developed market risk levels.”

When the first FundForum Middle East was held in 2007 regional onshore assets under management were estimated at US$57 billion, with much of the management undertaken by international companies. With therepatriation of funds and the growth in the regional investment management providers, assets under management are expected to be over US$100 billion by 2012 (Cerulli Associates).  ICBI has recognised that Qatar with its world class financial infrastructure is at the centre of this growth, which was a key driver for moving the forum to Doha.

“The recent Global Financial Centres Index, produced by the Z/Yen Group, shows that Qatar continues to increase its ranking as a financial centre, at a time when other regional markets have declined. Asset managersare looking to do business across the region, and the Middle East Investment Management Forum in Qatar will provide a great platform for them to grow their business.” added Mr Srivastava.

For more information about MENA Investment Management Forum 2011 and asset management in Qatar please contact Stephen Carriere, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, on +974 4496 7784 or email: [email protected] or find out more at www.qfc.com.qa or www.informaglobalevents.com/event/fund-forum-middle-east-conference.