JEDDAH, 4 February 2007 — Financial experts, bankers and analysts have attended a seminar conducted by Bloomberg, the world’s leading financial information network, on Equity Focus Day in Jeddah. The seminar, at the Jeddah Hilton yesterday, focused on fundamentals on Middle East stocks and all other Bloomberg features concerning the Middle East markets.

“The Middle East is the fastest growing market for Bloomberg in terms of terminal sales,” Ralf Haslbeck, Bloomberg equity project manager for Europe and Middle East, said while describing various features of Bloomberg services. “This is the first time we have had Equity Focus Day here and I hope in future we will have more such seminars in the region,” he said.

Bloomberg will be conducting similar seminars in Riyadh, Manama, Kuwait, Dubai and in Abu Dhabi this week. Haslbeck said over 600 people had signed up so far. He added “Our major clients are banks, portfolio managers, insurance companies, asset managers, corporates and brokerage firms.”

“As a Bloomberg customer, you will be able to maximize your potential by utilizing our all-inclusive suite of innovative equity analysis tools. A fully customizable desktop solution with data transparency, dynamic monitors, and powerful analytics will ensure you capture the information essential to your business,” he said.

Alex Johnson, Bloomberg sales manager for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, told Arab News, “There was 36 percent sales growth in Saudi Arabia last year and we are looking for 50 percent growth this year.” Johnson spoke about Bloomberg’s real time monitoring system - called Launchpad. He said “Launchpad allows Bloomberg users to monitor equities in real time worldwide, provides real time news, charting and other analytic information.”

Bloomberg, which has GCC headquarters in Dubai, has two offices in Saudi Arabia - Riyadh and Jeddah.

Johnson said “Bloomberg is keen to speak to those who are managing family money as well as banking and financial institutions,” adding, “There is big potential for Bloomberg products as there is a big gap for professional investment tools such as Bloomberg.”

Bloomberg Sales Consultant Phil Roach tried to explain execution management system for equity markets. “This system gives ability to execute equity orders with brokers on international basis,” he said.

Bloomberg operates the largest privately-owned network in the world, actively managed by people who understand the need for fast, resilient and secure networks in the financial markets.