42nd ICA Conference in Dubai organised by UAE Financial Markets Association tackles rise of populism in the West, importance of GCC SWFs
The UAE Financial Markets Association is challenging the region’s investment bankers, traders, treasury managers and finance professionals to brace for change amid the rise of populism in the West and the sharing economy grows.
Mohammed Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Financial Markets Association, organisers of the 42nd ICA Conference, officially opened the event alongside Taher Khalifa, Chairman of the International Cambist Association (ICA), welcoming hundreds of local, regional and international delegates attending to hear directly from an unrivalled panel of financial experts and analysts.
Delivering a keynote speech, HE Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai Department of Finance, stressed the importance of the ICA conference and its impact on the development of the investment arena in the Arab region.
He highlighted the conference’s importance not only for the expansion of investment, but also for development on a professional, technical and a legislative level, which are critical for shaping the features of work and entitlements in a successful investment environment, and determine the extent of growth when attracting individuals and investment institutions.
Hosted in collaboration with the ICA and strategic partner Emirates NBD, the 42nd ICA Conference opened today (Thursday 23 November) at the Sofitel Hotel & Resort, The Palm and runs until Saturday 25 November. This year’s theme, ‘Bracing for Change’, was chosen in light of the lowered expectations in the global growth outlook, the increasing importance of GCC Sovereign Wealth Funds and sizing up the potential of capital markets.
One of the highlights on the opening day was the key note presentation by Sir Peter Westmacott, British Ambassador to the United States from 2012 to 2016, who discussed the major risks and opportunities in today’s uncertain world.
His hour-long speech covered a wide range of topics impacting the global markets including the implications of President Donald Trump for global affairs, fake facts and anti-establishment sentiment, the Brexit referendum decision in the UK and political impasse in Germany, and the current tensions in the Middle East and North Korea.
Ahoud Al Ali, Treasurer at the UAE Financial Markets Association said: “Our aim is to facilitate the connectivity between local and international financial bodies, as well as the sharing of ideas and knowledge. We have brought some of the world’s foremost analytical financial minds to Dubai this week to take you through a journey of change.
“Our speakers will inspire you to discover more about the rise of populism in the West, the global growth outlook, opening up to new ideas and a focus on home grown talents here in the UAE and GCC.”
The first day of the conference also featured a panel discussion on the rise of the sharing economy which featured Jennifer Hansen, Global Head of Sales Strategy & Execution at SAXO Markets, Sara Green Brodersen, Entrepreneur, Chelsea Rustrum, Sharing Economy Author, and David Passiak, Futurist, Innovator and Author, and was moderated by Hormoz Faryar, Head of Institutional Business at Divisa Capital, alongside.
Other experts include Colin Ellis, Managing Director and Chief Credit Officer EMEA at Moody’s Investors Service; Rachel Pether, CFA Charterholder and a Senior Advisor to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute Christopher Dembik, head macro analyst at SAXO Bank; Huw Pill, Chief European economist and co-head of the European Economics team at Global Investment Research; João Pedro Goncalves, Financial Economist, LSE UNDP; Carla Slim, Chief Economist at Standard Chartered Bank; Michael Creed, Senior Manager, Policy and Strategy, Dubai Financial Services Authority, among many others.
The 42nd ICA Conference is supported by Strategic Partner Emirates NBD, Gold Sponsors FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank), ICAP Middle East and Murex, Silver Sponsors ADIB and Tullett Liberty (Bahrain) and Bronze Sponsor SAXO MARKETS. More information on registering to attend is available on www.icaconference.com.