HSBC hosts conference in Dubai

Thursday, 04 March 2010

HSBC hosted over 150 fund managers, investors and bankers at a conference in Dubai this week. The audience came from all over the world and heard HSBC's team of global and regional economists and analysts discuss and debate the future with traders and bankers.

The message that emerging markets’ growth will outpace mature markets came across loud and clear. What was also apparent was the continued interest in the Middle East from the world’s investment community.

The event was well-attended by bankers and investors from across the MENA region. Simon Cooper, CEO of HSBC Middle East, summed up the opportunity for these regional delegates in his opening remarks: “As the world’s foremost emerging market bank, HSBC can give you an informed view of how the crucial emerging market-to-emerging market capital flows will develop, whether that is between Asia, Eastern Europe or Latin America and us here in the Middle East.”

Speakers at the event included Stephen King, HSBC’s group chief economist, David Bloom, global head of FX strategy, and Dilip Shahani, head of Asia research. They were joined by Middle East experts in equities, credit, rates and economics.

“We saw a tremendous level of interest in the region from Asian and European market players,” said Rafi Ahmed, head of global markets for HSBC in MENA. “In spite of the uncertainty and difficult macro-environment, there is a real optimism and confidence in the long-term outlook for the MENA region, especially in terms of its interplay with other emerging markets.”