"QFC becomes inaugural hosts of premier GCC event for the asset management industry".
The Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFC Authority) has announced that that the 5th Annual MENA Investment Management Forum will be held in Doha from the 2nd to the 6th October 2011. Previously known as FundForum 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 peers from across the region, to discuss the trends, opportunities and challenges facing the industry. The Forum will be officially opened by H.E. Yousef Hussain Kamal, the Minister of Economy & Finance.
ICBI launched FundForum Middle East in 2007 as a regional partner to the FundForum International conference, which has 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 that Qatar 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 the repatriation 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 managers are 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 +974 496 7784 or email: s.carriere@qfc.com.qa or find out more at www.qfc.com.qa or
www.informaglobalevents.com/event/fund-forum-middle-east-conference.
Qatar Financial Centre Authority
Stephen Carriere
Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Qatar Financial Centre Authority
Tel: +974 4496 7784 - email: s.carriere@qfc.com.qa
www.qfc.com.qa
About QFC
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is a financial and business centre established by the Government of Qatar and located in Doha. It has been designed to attract international financial services institutions and major multi-national corporations in particular those operating in the reinsurance, captive insurance and asset management sectors and to encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar and elsewhere in the region. The QFC operates to international standards and provides a first class legal and business infrastructure for those operating within the QFC. The QFC was created by Qatar Law No. (7) and has been open for business since 1 May 2005.
QFC Authority
The QFC Authority is the commercial, administrative and legislative body responsible for leading the expansion of Qatar’s financial services sector, providing a uniquely sustainable platform for regional growth in reinsurance, captive insurance and asset management.