A pioneering Islamic finance event

550 plus delegates already signed up to hear top speakers at Global Islamic Investment Gateway 

February – 2015, Manama:More than 550 delegates from over 80 countries have registered for the first Global Islamic Investment Gateway event to be held on March 2^nd and 3^rd in Bahrain.

With four weeks to go, even more are expected to sign up for the event which is aimed at generating business for the private equity and investment sector in high growth Islamic countries.

The event is being held at the Gulf Hotel in Manama under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the EDB, and His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali , President of Islamic Development Bank Group.

More than half the delegates are C-suite level executives attracted by the format of the event which is designed to link global investors with actual opportunities to invest.

Keynote speakers include H.E. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Acting CEO of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, one of the event sponsors. He said: “We are delighted with the exceptional response from delegates from all over the world. It shows just how significant the opportunities for Islamic investment business are in the GCC and beyond.

“We hope and expect the Global Islamic Investment Gateway to become firmly established in the business calendar and we are honoured that this pioneering event is being hosted here in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”

It has just been announced that Shaikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and Minister in Charge of Oil and Gas Affairs will also address the conference.

The event, which is jointly sponsored by the Islamic Development Bank Group ( IDB ), is linked to an innovative online portal developed by Thomson Reuters which will identify and collate new international investment opportunities.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, IDB Group President, said: “There is an increasing recognition of how the economies of IDB Group member countries can collectively drive future growth. This creates remarkable opportunities for all global investors which largely explains why demand for the GIIG event is so high.”

Of the delegates that have registered so for 82 are from the UAE, 39 from Saudi, 37 from Pakistan, 33 for the UK, 30 from Nigeria, 23 from Egypt, 17 from the United States, 17 from India and 11 from Malaysia. In all 80 countries are presented so far.

The speakers at main and break-out session are: H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Ali, President, Islamic Development Bank ; H.E. Khaled Al Aboodi, CEO, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector ; Mahmood Al Kooheji, CEO, Mumtalakat Holding Company; Dr. Sayd Farook, Global Head Islamic Capital Markets, Thomson Reuters ; Rafe Haneef, Chief Execuitve Officer, HSBC Amanah; Hasan Al Jabri, CEO, SEDCO Capital; Ammar A. Shata, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Alkhabeer Capital ; Ilgar A.Taghiyev, CEO, Emba Finans; Sh. Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer, NOGA Holding; Linar Yakupov, President, Association of Regional Investment Agencies of Russia & advisor to the Prime Minister; Fawaz Al Issa, Vice Chairman and CEO, Turkapital; Dr. Nasser Saidi, Founder & President, Nasser Saidi & Associates; Qais Al Maskati, CEO, First Equity Partners; Fadi Salim Al Faqih, CEO, Bank of Khartoum; Mohamed Salah Frad, CEO, United Gulf Financial Services Africa; Basel Al-Hag Issa, CEO, Ibdar Bank; Nour Mousa, CEO, Desert Technologies; Ahmad Adam, President/CEO, Crescent Foods; Monem Salam, President, Saturna; Aamir Rehman, Managing Director, Fajr Capital; Arshad Ismail, Head, Investment Banking and Business Development, May Bank; Rafi-uddin Shikoh, CEO, Dinar Standard; Dr. Fahad Al Turki, Chief Economist Head of Research, Jadwa Investment ; John Sfakianakis, Investment Strategist, Ashmore Group; Dr. Henri J. Chaoul, Chief Investment Officer, Alkhabeer Capital ; Farid Masood, Managing Director, Advisory and Asset Management, ICD , Islamic Development Bank ; Zaheeruddin Khalid, Head of Asset Management, Jadwa Investment ; Nida Raza, Director, Ernst and Young; Mansoor Shakil,Director, Investments, Fajr Capital; Samir Taghiyev, Senior Regional Manager CIS and Europe Countries, Islamic Development Bank ; Tanweer Bukhari, Head of Advisory, CIMB Middle East; Rob Cox, Editor, Reuters Breakingviews; Edward Hadas, Economics, Editor, Reuters ; Emad Mostaque, Strategist, Ecstrat; Suhail Hajee, Executive Director, Investment Management, Arqaam Capital; Bernardo Vizcaino, Islamic Finance Correspondent, Thomson Reuters ; Una Galani Asian Corporate Finance Columnist, Thomson Reuters ; Dr. Hamad Saad, Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Hassad Foods; Sanjay Sethi, Managing Director & CEO, Signature Agri Ventures Ltd and Abayomi Alawode, Head of Islamic Finance, World Bank

-Ends-

The Global Islamic Investment Gateway is organised by Thomson Reuters , the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Islamic Development Bank ( IDB ), through its Business Forum “THIQAH”. It is being held at the Gulf Hotel in Manama on March 2nd and 3rd .

The event will feature over 80 countries including 30 OIC countries, split into the key regional sectors including GCC, MENA, CIS, South East Asia, South Asia, West Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa and will cover all major investment sectors, driven by the opportunities presented by the investment development agencies and investment originators.

Individuals can register their interest at: www.giig2015.com

About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Bahrain EDB is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths.

Key areas of focus include manufacturing, ICT, and logistics and transport services as well as other sub-sectors. The Financial Services sector in Bahrain is particularly strong and the EDB supports in the continuing growth of the banking industry and key sub-sectors, including Islamic Finance, Asset Management, Insurance and Re-Insurance.

For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit www.bahrain.com

About the Islamic Development Bank ( IDB )
IDB is an international financial institution established in pursuance of the Declaration of Intent issued by the Conference of Finance Ministers of Muslim Countries held in Jeddah in December 1973. In the past 40 years, the IDB Group (which comprises of 5 entities) have promoted comprehensive human development, with a focus on the priority areas of alleviating poverty, improving health, promoting education, improving governance and prospering the people. IDB has grown to be a leading international bank in the past 40 years, with a AAA credit rating and Zero Risk-Weight’ awards. All over the world, member and nonmember nations are being helped by IDB. More than 8000 projects, worth around 100 billion dollars, have benefited more than 100 nations and communities worldwide.

The intention behind IDB ‘s efforts is to lessen the imbalance between poor and rich nations, empowering people in less developed countries, restoring their dignities and changing the lives of millions for the better. After 40 years of continuous service, IDB has embarked on a comprehensive and objective assessment of its strategies and performance since inception which will eventually lead into formulating a new strategy. By the year 2020 IDB shall have become a world-class development bank, inspired by Shariah, that has helped significantly transform the landscape of comprehensive human development in the Muslim world and helped restore its dignity.

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world’s most trusted news organization. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com

For further information 
Please contact: 
Mahmood Ali, Bell Pottinger Bahrain: + 973 33441614
Malcolm Munro, Bell Pottinger London + 44 7795 013006