MANAMA, 19 September 2007 — A major hedge fund conference will take place here on Nov. 5-7 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the London-based Hedge Funds Review publication said yesterday in a statement.
The publication said that its third annual Middle East summit, which is sponsored by Investcorp, will focus on areas including the recent legislative developments in the region, an overview of its current hedge funds market, panel discussions on emerging markets, advice on how to successfully set up and market a hedge fund and case studies on the most effective investment strategies.
It noted that hedge funds are being used by institutional investors and high net worth individuals as an alternative means of maximizing returns and increasing wealth. The summit, it said, will also explore various strategies to overcome Shariah compliance in the rapidly growing Middle East market. “The hedge funds market in the Gulf region is set for a period of unprecedented growth,” said Jane Dellar, managing director of Bahrain Financial Services Development (BFSD).
“The recent revision of the collective investment undertakings by the CBB introduces an exempt fund category, enabling hedge funds and other alternative investments. This is yet another prime example of Bahrain’s dominance in leading the region’s funds development,” she said.
Gary Long, Investcorp’s chief operating officer, said: “It is very appropriate for Investcorp to sponsor this event. Not only is it taking place in Bahrain, where Investcorp has such strong ties, but we have a 10-year track record of investing in hedge funds and with $6.4 billion in assets under management, Investcorp is one of the leading global players in this asset class.”
Rasheed Mohammed Al-Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, will attend the inaugural session of the event.
The summit will also feature networking opportunities such as a unique “race-day” at the Bahrain International Circuit.
