JEDDAH, 22 May 2006 — A two-day conference focusing on investment opportunities in the Kingdom will be held June 19-20 in London. Arranging the conference is BMG Financial Advisors, one of the leading financial advisory firms in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “The conference, organized by MEED, will be held at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel. It is designed to be the key event in Europe for those who are serious about doing business in Saudi Arabia. This is an opportunity to gain unique insights into the most significant projects coming on stream and meet the people who are making them happen,” said Basil M. Al-Ghalayini, CEO of BMG Financial Advisors
Regarding the Saudi economy, Al-Ghalayini further added “Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah recently announced investments of $624 billion in all sectors of the economy of the Kingdom over the coming 15 years. This conference will act as an incubator for investments in the Kingdom’s booming market and provide a comprehensive update on the very latest investment opportunities in the GCC’s largest and most dynamic economy.”
Following the conference is the GCC Polo Cup, a BMG Foundation event, designed to attract investors, contractors, financiers and suppliers interested in the fast expanding investment opportunities in the Kingdom. Government officials, leading market players and major Saudi organizations will address the most significant projects taking place in the Kingdom and tackle the associated challenges to overcome.
“The GCC Polo Cup 2006, a charitable equestrian event, seeks to cement and enhance cultural, social and sporting links between Eastern and Western nations, plus develops a proactive dialogue between business leaders from different parts of the world,” Bahaa Rafik Hariri, board member & vice president of Saudi Oger, said.
Day One of the conference will deal with Finance, Investment and Saudi Capital Market. Keynote speakers include David Brewer, Lord Mayor, the City of London, Amr Abdullah Al-Dabbagh, governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Dr. Said Al-Shaikh, chief economic of the National Commercial Bank (NCB), Osama M. Al-Kurdi, executive president, Alagat and member of the Shoura Council, Al-Ghalayini, David Maltby, chief executive of Bupa Middle East and Nasser Menhall, chief executive officer of WorldCare, Fawaz Al-Alamy, deputy minister for technical affairs, Khalifa Abdulmohsen Mohamed Al-Saif, chairman of Al-Saif Group and John Xefos, managing partner of Baker & McKenzie, Amr F. Zedan, president of Zedan Group and Malcolm Turner, partner of Clifford Chance . The second day of the conference will deal with Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia: The International Perspective.
Speakers for this day will encompass the British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles , Edmund O’Sullivan, editorial director, MEED, Ahmed Al-Bassam, projects manager, Tasnee Petrochemicals and Dr. Abdul-Wahab A. Al-Sa’adoon, director, energy sector, SAGIA. Dr. Abdallah E. Dabbagh, president and CEO of Maaden.
Other sectors will be covered by Dr. Abdul Aziz Y. Al-Babtain, director-general, transport sector, SAGIA, (transportation), Bahaa Rafik Hariri, (real estate) and Abdul Rahman Al-Mazi, managing director, National Information Systems and board member of Saudi Telecom Co. (telecoms).
The closing address, summarizing the wealth of investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, will be delivered by Eastern Province Gov. Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd.