Community links: Gatherings; Recruitment

19 February - 20 February 2008
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

Partners

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), previously the Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA), is responsible for maintaining the internal and external value of the national currency. It is also the single, integrated regulator for the financial services industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The CBB succeeded the BMA as of 7 September 2006. The new entity follows the enactment of the new Central Bank of Bahrain and Financial Institutions Law (CBB Law), which governs the activities of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).

As the successor organization of the BMA, the CBB has assumed all the rights and obligations of the now-defunct BMA.

As a central bank, the CBB is responsible for ensuring monetary and financial stability in Bahrain. The CBB intends to carry forward BMA's monetary policy of maintaining a fixed exchange rate against the United States dollar. This has provided Bahrain with a high degree of economic and price stability, while encouraging the sound growth of the national economy, which has underpinned the growth and development of the country's flourishing financial services industry, which accounts for 27% of the Kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP).

As the financial services regulator, the CBB is responsible for regulating, developing and maintaining confidence in the financial sector, which comprises banking, insurance and the capital market. In fulfilling its role as a regulator, the cornerstone of CBB's policy will be to continue implementing international best practice in all aspects of financial supervision, which helped earn the BMA its international reputation of being the most highly regarded regulator in the Middle East.

The CBB intends to remain focused on ensuring Bahrain's continued success as an international financial centre with a diverse mix of leading international, regional and local financial institutions and enhancing its own reputation as a highly regarded regulator.

The Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority is an independent regulatory body established by Article 8 of the QFC Law. It regulates firms that conduct financial services in or from the QFC. It has a broad range of regulatory powers to authorise, supervise and, when necessary, discipline firms and individuals. The QFC Regulatory Authority supervises firms using principles-based legislation based on international standards, modelled closely on that used in London and other major financial centres. Further details are available at www.qfcra.com

The Qatar Financial Centre is a financial and business centre established by the Government of Qatar and located in Doha. It has been designed to attract international financial services institutions and major multi-national corporations and to encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar and elsewhere in the region. The QFC operates to international standards and provides a first class legal and business infrastructure for those doing business within the QFC. The QFC was created by QFC Law No. 7 of Qatar. It has been open for business since 1 May 2005 and is now receiving applications.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. All told, FINRA oversees over 5,000 brokerage firms, about 171,000 branch offices and more than 672,000 registered securities representatives.

Created in July 2007 through the consolidation of NASD and the member regulation, enforcement and arbitration functions of the New York Stock Exchange, FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services.

FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business—from registering and educating industry participants to examining securities firms; writing rules; enforcing those rules and the federal securities laws; informing and educating the investing public; providing trade reporting and other industry utilities; and administering the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and registered firms. It also performs market regulation under contract for The NASDAQ Stock Market, the American Stock Exchange, the International Securities Exchange and the Chicago Climate Exchange.

FINRA has approximately 3,000 employees and operates from Washington, DC, and New York, NY, with 15 District Offices around the country.

"The creation of FINRA is the most significant modernization of the self-regulatory regime in decades," said Mary L. Schapiro, Chief Executive Officer of FINRA. "With investor protection and market integrity as our overarching objectives, FINRA is an investor-focused and more streamlined regulator that is better suited to the complexity and competitiveness of today's global capital markets."

FINRA believes investor protection begins with education. Using the internet, the media and public forums, we help investors build their financial knowledge and provide them with essential tools to better understand the markets and basic principles of saving and investing. In addition, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation is the largest foundation in the United States dedicated to investor education. As of June 2007, the Foundation had approved $10.4 million in grants and an additional $10.2 million in direct investor education programming.

In today's fast-paced and complex global economy, FINRA is a trusted advocate for investors, dedicated to keeping the markets fair, ensuring investor choice and proactively addressing emerging regulatory issues before they harm investors or the markets.

The Bahrain Economic Development Board is a dynamic public agency with overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.

Bahrain Financial Services Development is a department of the Economic Development Board that is uniquely dedicated to the needs of the financial services industry. Our role is to increase the international profile of Bahrain as a leading financial and business destination and to provide a single point of contact for international financial services firms looking to build a base in the Kingdom.

Bahrain is the financial capital of the Middle East, and has been for more than 30 years. Playing the long game whilst moving with the times, staying a step ahead of the competition and adopting a pioneering spirit – without compromising integrity – is what has assured our business success.

With no corporate, income or wealth taxes and a low cost, highly-skilled and flexible workforce – one uniquely geared to the financial sector across conventional and Islamic markets – Bahrain’s attractions for the financial services industry are clear.

It is why the Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal have ranked us as the freest economy in the Arab World for 14 years running – and in the top 20 globally, ahead of Germany, France, and Sweden - and why we picked up the FT’s FDi Magazine Award for Middle East City of the Future 2006-2007.

Bahrain Financial Services Development is part of Bahrain’s commitment to providing not just the warmest of welcomes, but also the strongest of platforms on which successful businesses can be built.

Gulf International Bank (GIB) is a leading merchant bank in the Middle East with its principal focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. With a proven track record spanning more than 30 years, GIB provides client-led, innovative financial products and services. Its client base includes major private-sector corporations, Gulf-based financial institutions, multinational companies active in the region and the governments of the GCC states.

GIB has gained an international reputation for project and trade finance and is a leading player in the regional syndicated loan market. The bank's financial strength is based on conservative asset and liability management policies, its high-quality asset profile and strong capital base. More recently, the bank has increased its focus on merchant banking services, including corporate finance and asset management.

GIB was established in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1975. The six GCC governments own 72.5 per cent of the bank, while the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency owns 27.5 per cent. In 1999, GIB acquired the London-based Saudi International Bank, which has subsequently been renamed Gulf International Bank (UK) Limited. GIB currently has branches in London, New York, Riyadh and Jeddah, in addition to representative offices in Beirut and Abu Dhabi.

Established on 16 October 1999 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Finance House (GFH) is one of the most respected Islamic investment banks in the Middle East region in its quality and innovation of product offering. At the cutting edge of the rapidly expanding international Islamic banking industry, the Bank is committed to the Islamic Sharia’a philosophy of wealth management which shapes the structure and direction of its investment products.

GFH’s core product offering, from which it generates the majority of its revenue and profit, is the conception, high level planning and arrangement of infrastructure developments of projects in the GCC region, the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and other emerging markets. GFH’s development infrastructure projects have been conceived to accelerate economic growth in partnership with the governments of the countries being invested in.

We have a wealth of diversified products to match our client portfolio needs, including but not limited to asset management, private equity, and other investment products.

During its eight years of operations, GFH has successfully launched several development infrastructure projects with an aggregate estimated development value exceeding US$12 billion and placed with its clients an aggregate value of equity investment of approximately US$3 billion. Its strong placement capability in the GCC region supports and drives the continued growth of GFH’s business. It focuses on providing a high level of personal service to its client base of institutions and high net worth individuals in the region.

Over the three-year period ended 31 December 2006, net income has more than tripled to US$211.6 million. The Bank is one of the first Islamic investment banks in the world to announce a Global Depository Issue (GDR) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the first Islamic investment bank from the GCC to be listed on the LSE, having already been cross-listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, Bahrain Stock Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market.

In 1930, Arab Bank was established as the first private sector financial institution in the Arab World with the vision of being a driving force in advancing Arab economies through financing strategic infrastructural projects across the Middle East / North Africa region (MENA).

The Arab Bank Group has an unmatched Arab banking branch network, the largest worldwide, consisting of over 400 branches in 29 countries spanning 5 continents including key markets and financial centers such as London, Singapore, New York, Zurich, Dubai, Bahrain, Paris and Sydney.

The Group has had unprecedented financial performance over the past few years, receiving high ratings from the most internationally recognized rating agencies, further emphasizing the Bank’s financial strength and stability.

The Arab Bank is rated amongst the largest international financial institutions, with a rating of "A-" from Standard & Poor's (S&P), "A3" from Moody’s and "A-" from Fitch.

At end of September 2007, the Arab Bank Group achieved a pre-tax profit of US $753.4 million. Total assets reached almost US $37.2 billion, while shareholders' equity base is US $6.6 billion.

The Bank's products and services fall within four major areas: Personal Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management and Treasury, all of which are catered to serve the needs of individuals, corporations, government agencies and other international financial institutions.

The Arab Bank has been and continues to be a key player in facilitating Pan-Arab trade, and in creating bridges connecting the world to MENA markets

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a leading international law firm with more than 2,500 lawyers in 16 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US. Our international experience combined with our local knowledge means that we are a leading adviser on the most complex and challenging cross-border transactions.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's international financial services and regulatory practice is one of the leading international practices for specialist financial services advice and one of the strongest integrated regulatory practices. It provides a first class advisory service to clients in all sectors of the financial services industry. With over 30 lawyers in our Dubai office, including lawyers who focus on, and spend a considerable amount of time in, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, we are well placed to meet our clients' needs across a range of industry sectors and Middle East jurisdictions.

"Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's seamless full-service financial services practice enjoys a superlative reputation" - Legal 500 (2007/2008)

www.freshfields.com

DLA Piper is one of the world's largest legal services organisations with over 3400 lawyers across 64 offices in 25 countries worldwide.

Voted "Global Law Firm of the Year" (The Lawyer Awards 2006), DLA Piper provides the full range of relationship-driven, international quality legal services required by local, regional and multinational companies investing into or outside of the Middle East region.

Our regulatory and government affairs group in the Middle East is led by a specialist regulatory partner with over a decade of experience in financial, energy, environmental, competition, and healthcare regulation. Members of the group bring knowledge and experience of best practices from a number of regions and have worked in a number of jurisdictions. The team is especially well placed to lobby and advise due to bilingual English and Arabic speaking lawyers essential for this area of work.

The regulatory and government affairs group's work includes advising multinational companies and governments in relation to a broad range of issues including cross border mergers and acquisitions, new licence applications, new product development, listing issues and ongoing regulatory compliance in the UAE, the GCC and wider Middle East. In particular we advise clients on the rules of, and liaising on behalf of clients with, Government Ministries, Civil Aviation Authorities and other State Agencies across jurisdictions including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and also Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey and Pakistan.

Baker Botts' Middle East practice provides service to clients in a number of sectors in the energy industry, including oil and gas exploration and development, oil field services, electric power, LNG, petrochemicals, pipelines and gas-to-liquids. Our energy-related project development and finance work is enhanced by our experience with the complex issues faced in financing these projects under local law, which is largely founded on the shari'a or Islamic law. In addition to work across the broad spectrum of the energy sector, the Middle East practice also serves clients with their corporate, banking, finance (including Islamic finance), capital markets, telecommunications, government contracts and dispute resolution matters.

Since 2001, the firm has maintained an office in Saudi Arabia, working in association with the law office of Mohanned bin Saud Al-Rasheed in Riyadh. The firm has been involved in a number of sophisticated and market-leading transactions in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the GCC and North Africa. In 2005, the firm extended its regional reach in the Middle East with the opening of an office in Dubai, U.A.E.

The firm's Middle East offices are staffed with lawyers who have extensive experience living and working in the region. They are supported by a team of energy lawyers in London and the U.S., many of whom have also lived and worked in the Middle East.

In 2008, Ernst & Young will celebrate 80 years of delivering quality service in Bahrain. Ernst & Young is the largest firm of accountants and consultants in the Middle East employing over 3,500 people through 17 offices in 14 Arab countries. Our Bahrain office has over 350 professionals. Our committed people help companies across all industries from emerging growth companies and local entrepreneurial businesses to global powerhouses.

Ernst & Young provides clients with a broad array of services relating to audit and risk, business community training, tax, technology and IT security and transaction advisory services. Bahrain is the headquarters for Ernst & Young’s Global Islamic Financial Services Group and is also home to our Middle East Head Office.

We are the leading specialist recruitment consultancy, our UK office compromising five former Compliance Officers (our MD & Deputy MD having both held senior Compliance roles in the Financial Services industry and are qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Secretary respectively) and as all Compliance professionals by background, firmly believe in offering an ethical & professional service compared to the sales-driven approach of our competitors. Additionally as technical experts too, our services include advising on the balancing of criteria expected for a particular role and/or salary level, as well as the structure of a role or department including compiling job specifications if required.

We are now delighted to announce that having been recruiting Compliance staff in the GCC region for the last two years from London, we have now teamed up with CCL Ltd Dubai, the regions specialist compliance consultants, in order to service our GCC business effectively. Additionally we are setting up an office in Sydney, again under a former Compliance Manager & experienced recruiter, which will assist with sourcing and interviewing candidates from Australasia (as well as the UK & GCC itself). www.compliancerecruitment.com

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre was created in 2002 as a strategic initiative of the Dubai Government to establish a commodity market place in Dubai. It provides facilities that bring together the gold and precious metals, diamonds and coloured stones, and other commodities sectors. The centre attracts key players throughout each of these industry sectors, together with relevant support industries such as finance, logistics and insurance. Today DMCC is home to more than 850 business. Initiatives of DMCC include Dubai Diamond Exchange, Dubai Tea Trading Centre, Dubai Gold Receipt, Dubai Good Delivery, Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange, Dubai Gem Club and Dubai Gem Certification.

DMCC is currently the only UAE free zone authority that offers freehold business premises in addition to all other standard free zone services. These services include 50 years tax free on personal and income taxes, full foreign ownership of business and a one stop shop facility for processing all documentation, including immigration and licensing needs.

Rated 'A' by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, DMCC is the first entity in Dubai and the second in the UAE to receive a full interactive rating from the world's leading provider of independent credit ratings.

"To set standards of professional excellence and integrity for the investment and securities industry, providing qualifications and promoting the highest level of competence to our members, other individuals and firms."

The Securities & Investment Institute is the largest and most widely respected professional body for those who work in the securities and investment industry in the UK. Formed as the "Securities Institute" in 1992 by the members of the London Stock Exchange the Institute changed its name in November 2004.

Today the Institute is the leading and progressive examining, training and membership body for the securities and investment industry. There are over 30,000 members who benefit from our programme of professional and social events. As the main examining body for the industry, the Institute provides a range of relevant vocational qualifications attracting over 37,000 candidates a year. In addition the Institute produces publications and workbooks runs a number of widely respected and well-attended conferences and seminars.

al khaliji was incorporated in Doha in January 2007, and completed its IPO and listing on the Doha Securities Market in August. Our aim is to become a major corporate and retail commercial bank across the Gulf and have recruited an experienced international management team and nearly 240 staff to execute this strategy.

Our shareholder structure gives us regional and local strength and depth. The bank’s 191 founding shareholders, drawn from Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain own 43% of al khaliji’s authorized and issued capital. Paid at 50%, their subscription in 312 million shares raised an initial QAR 1.56bln in ordinary capital. A Gulf-wide Private Placement of 288 million shares (again, paid at 50%) raised another QAR 1.44bln, or 40% of the bank’s authorized capital. Following completion of the IPO, Qatari investors hold 17% of the bank’s authorised capital, worth an initial QAR 600m paid at 50%. In total, al khaliji has an authorized and issued capital of QAR 7.2bln divided into 720 million ordinary shares paid at 50% equivalent to QAR 3.6bln

Our activities are underpinned by the highest standards of service, easy to understand products, and reliable, innovative technology. Built in response to customer demand for a bank that is designed to meet their needs and their lifestyles, al khaliji is bringing a new banking approach to the region in response to new research findings and customer needs

The University of Reading is one of the top 20 research intensive universities in the UK. It is internationally recognized for the excellence of its teaching on a broad range arts, humanities and sciences programmes. In the last research assessment exercise, 15 departments were awarded the grade of 5, with five designated the top rating of 5* (Archaeology, English, Italian, Meteorology and Psychology). The University consistently achieves high ratings for the quality of its teaching.

The International Capital Market Association is the self-regulatory organization and trade association for the international securities market. Its primary role is to oversee the fast-changing marketplace through the issuing of rules and recommendations for trading and settlement practices. ICMA currently has over 400 members in almost 50 countries and has a proven track record in representing their interests. In addition to its regulatory role, ICMA also provides its member firms - and other users - with a range of services, products and support.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an onshore hub for global finance. It bridges the time gap between the financial centres of Hong Kong and London and services a region with the largest untapped emerging market for financial services.

In just under two years, over 500 firms have registered at the DIFC. They operate in an open environment complemented with world-class regulations and standards. The DIFC offers its member institutions incentives such as 100 per cent foreign ownership, zero tax on income and profits and no restrictions on foreign exchange. In addition their business benefits from modern infrastructure, operational support and business continuity facilities of uncompromisingly high standards.

Afridi & Angell is a corporate and commercial law firm with over 30 years of experience in the Gulf, Middle East and South Asia (MESA) regions. Our legal consultants are appointed as regional counsel by multinational companies for our straightforward, ethical and professional legal advice.

Afridi & Angell’s comprehensive knowledge and experience is highly sought after by clients including the top law firms in New York, London, Paris and from across Asia.

Our legal professionals are drawn from around the world. We currently have associates from the UK, USA, Australia, India, Pakistan, Canada, Lebanon, Kenya, Sudan and Egypt servicing clients including financial institutions, public sector bodies, successful businesses and private individuals.

Afridi & Angell currently has eight partners. Each partner has on average practiced in the UAE and MESA regions for over fifteen years.

From our offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates we conduct a diversified regional and international practice, providing legal services in all aspects of conventional and Islamic banking and financial services, private equity, real estate and construction, infrastructure and project finance, maritime, insurance, litigation support and arbitration, capital markets as well as sports, entertainment and media law.

We also offer specialized expertise to our clients on anti-boycott and F.C.P.A. compliance, military procurement, as well as advice on doing business in the region.

The International Compliance Association is a professional organisation with a global membership. It is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in anti money laundering, compliance and financial crime prevention. Working in the financial services sector, the ICA delivers a wide range of certificated and accredited learning through its training division, International Compliance training, all over the world.

Through its detailed and comprehensive education programmes, the ICA develops and supports professionals globally. For beginners and experienced practitioners alike, the ICA certificate and diploma qualifications increase knowledge, improve skills and enhance understanding.

The ICA helps businesses, regulatory authorities, government agencies and clients promote best practice through education, dialogue, information exchange and detailed resource material. Working with industry practitioners at all levels, and through alliances with recognised partners, the ICA aims to help improve the performance of individuals, firms and the industry as a whole.

BearingPoint, Inc. (NYSE: BE) is one of the world's largest providers of management and technology consulting services to Global 2000 companies and government organizations in 60 countries worldwide. Based in McLean, Va., the firm has more than 17,000 employees focusing on the Public Services, Financial Services and Commercial Services industries. BearingPoint professionals have built a reputation for knowing what it takes to help clients achieve their goals, and working closely with them to get the job done. Our service offerings are designed to help our clients generate revenue, increase cost-effectiveness, manage regulatory compliance, integrate information and transition to “next-generation” technology. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.BearingPoint.com.

Zawya is the leading business information company serving the high-end business and financial professional community. Headquartered in Dubai, Zawya has a global user base of over 212,000+ high-end business professionals.

Zawya covers detailed information on the top 11,650 companies in the Middle East with comprehensive live news coverage through the exclusive Zawya Dow Jones newswire service. Furthermore, the service provides industry news, macroeconomic reports, country statistics, stock market data as well as specialized databases such as IPO, Sukuk and Private Equity monitors.

In addition to subscription services, Zawya offers advertisers the ability to target the most affluent online audience with an interest in the MENA region. Zawya's online service caters to and attracts only serious professional users and decision makers as it has the only fee paying user base in the region.

Oxford Business Group (OBG), a UK-based publishing, research and consultancy organisation, publishes economic and political intelligence on the markets of Eastern Europe, North and South Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

OBG offers comprehensive analysis of political, macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.

OBG’s acclaimed economic, political and business reports are the leading source of local and regional intelligence, while OBG’s online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.

AME Info - The ultimate Middle East Business Resource is the leading online provider of business information in and about the Middle East. The audience visiting AME Info's web site is primarily business executives and professionals from the Middle East and EMEA offices worldwide. AME Info provides current, dedicated, focused information in daily news wires, editorial columns, special feature articles, reports, video and radio features, including detailed business directory information and event listings. AME Info also offers a range of advertising and marketing possibilities. We operate in English and Arabic language.

AME Info consistently seeks to improve and advance its services, and is at the forefront of online innovation. AME Info was the first site in the Middle East to have its traffic independently audited by ABC ELECTRONIC. Including official affiliations (MEPRA, IAA) we provide news to major world news organisations (CNN, Reuters). Our technology and standards include 24/7 Real Media Open AdStream, W3C and a TRUSTe privacy statement.

AME Info's additional benefits include personalised start pages, free webmail, discussion forums, "the news you choose" watchlist, free access to video and audio, and weather forecasts. Users can request information and contact companies, add business details and events, and save favourites.

ABC Electronic Audit: 801,468 Unique Users (October 2006)

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