About the sponsors

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 Central Bank of Bahrain ('CBB') is responsible for maintaining monetary and financial stability in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It succeeded the Bahrain Monetary Agency in September 2006, with the implementation of a new central bank and financial institutions law. The new law marked the culmination of changes initiated in 2002, which created a single financial services regulator for the Kingdom's financial sector.

The CBB inherits the BMA's 33-year track record and wide range of responsibilities. It implements the Kingdom's monetary and foreign exchange rate policies, manages the government's reserves and debt issuance, issues the national currency and oversees the country's payments and settlement systems. It is also the sole regulator of Bahrain's financial sector, covering the full range of banking, insurance, investment business and capital markets activities.

The CBB's wide scope of responsibilities allows a consistent policy approach to be undertaken across the whole of the Kingdom's financial sector. It also provides a clear and straightforward regulatory framework for financial services firms operating in Bahrain.

As the world's leading private sector provider of financial regulatory services, NASD has helped bring integrity to the markets - and confidence to investors - for more than 60 years. NASD has long served as the primary private sector regulator of America's securities industry. It oversees the activities of more than 5,050 brokerage firms, approximately 171,790 branch offices and more than 662,150 registered securities representatives. In addition, it provides outsourced regulatory products and services to a number of stock markets and exchanges.

From oversight to education, it touches virtually every aspect of the securities industry. NASD licenses individuals and admits firms to the industry, writes rules to govern their behaviour, examines them for regulatory compliance and disciplines those that fail to comply. It oversees and regulates trading in equities, corporate bonds, securities futures and options. It also provides education and qualification examinations to industry professionals while supporting securities firms in their compliance activities. It also operates the largest securities dispute resolution forum in the world, processing more than 8,000 arbitrations and 1,000 mediations a year. With a staff of nearly 2,000 and an annual budget of more than $500m, NASD is a world leader in capital markets regulation.

Arab Bank, established in Jerusalem in 1930, is the first private sector financial institution in the Arab World. It was established with the vision of creating a financial institution to serve as a driving force in advancing Arab economies through financing strategic infrastructural projects across the Middle East. It has been and continues to be a key player in facilitating Pan-Arab trade, and in creating bridges connecting the world to Middle East markets.

Based in Amman, Jordan, Arab Bank has an unmatched Middle Eastern branch network. It maintains strong presence in 30 countries in 5 continents, and enjoys a prominent position in key markets and financial centers including New York, London, Singapore, Zurich, Paris, Frankfurt, Sydney, and Dubai.

Arab Bank provides a wide variety of financial services to individuals, corporations, government agencies, and other international financial institutions. Its services include corporate, retail, private, and investment banking, as well as wealth management.

At end of December 2006, the Arab Bank Group achieved a pre-tax profit of US $790 million. Total assets reached almost US $32.5 billion, while shareholders' equity base is US $5.9 billion.

BIBF is a leading world-class provider of training, education and professional development programs to the financial industry in Bahrain and the region.

It was founded in 1981 to provide essential training for the banking community in Bahrain. Since then it has evolved into an internationally recognized training and development organization providing professional solutions to a worldwide market. BIBF's portfolio comprise courses in multiple business areas, spanning Banking, Islamic Finance, Insurance, Leadership & Management, Professional Studies and Academic and Executive Education.

BIBF continues to be the benchmark for excellence in professional education, training and development. It provides several programs linked to international professional qualifications and is the examination center for some of these qualifications. BIBF's management believe that people are the most valuable asset of any business. Its instructional staff is a select team of full-time (23) and part-time (100) industry professionals with market experience and specific academic and professional qualifications.

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.

The DGCX, the world’s newest online commodities derivatives exchange, commenced trading on 22nd November 2005. It is the first international commodities derivatives market in the Middle East region and, therefore, the first in the critical time zone between the markets of Europe and the Far East. As a truly international commodities derivatives exchange, DGCX will offer a range of commodities, commencing with gold futures, with electronic trading accessible from anywhere in the world.

DGCX is a joint venture between the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) – Government of Dubai, Financial Technologies (India) Limited and Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited (MCX). Management of DGCX comprises of senior personnel from commodities, securities & financial services industry bringing experience, expertise and a track record to ensure the success of DGCX.

The Dubai Mercantile Exchange Limited, a joint venture between the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., and Tatweer, aims to become the premier commodity and energy futures exchange in the Middle East, providing a financially secure, well-regulated and transparent trading environment. Expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2006, the Exchange will initially develop and trade an Oman Crude Oil Futures Contract. This will address a growing market need for price discovery of Middle East Sour Crude Oil while simultaneously bridging the time zone gap between Europe and Asia by providing for the trading of energy futures, options and other products. Soon to follow will be the world's first jet fuel futures contract in 2007.

The DME will be a fully electronic exchange, which will be powered by a trading application based on the state-of-the-art electronic trading technology of NYMEX. By leveraging NYMEX's world class technology system, the DME will be able to operate as a stand-alone entity and provide its customers with maximum access to the Exchange.

The DME will be regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, a world class, independent regulator. All trades executed on the Exchange will be cleared through, and guaranteed by, NYMEX's AA+ rated clearinghouse.

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.

Since its inception, the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority has been keen on putting the objectives stated in the Federal Law No. (4) of 2000 into effect by sparing no effort to strengthen the legislative structure through issuing such regulations and instructions that ensure the development of the organizational and supervisory framework of the list joint-stock companies and other companies operating in the securities field. Besides, the Authority has introduced some controls and criteria that would contribute positively to enhancing the investors' trust in the Authority

As part of the Authority's continuous effort to streamline its control and supervisory role and improve the organizational aspects of the companies subject to control, the Authority has deemed it suitable to alert these companies to the basic requirements stipulated by the Trading Companies Law No. 8/1984 and the amendments thereof and the Federal Law No. 4/2000 and the regulations, decisions and circulars issued in implementation thereof.

Based on the above, markets for trading in securities and commodities have been set up in the UAE where each market shall take the shape of a local public establishment licensed by the Securities and Commodities Authority, provided that the markets across the UAE are electronically connected on a reciprocal basis.

The market is managed by a board, which is formed by a decision by the competent local authority, provided that none of the board members shall be a board member of a listed public joint-stock company or a financial broker.

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)

http://www.ameinfo.com

Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a UK-based publishing, research and consultancy services organisation. It publishes economic and political intelligence on the emerging markets of the Gulf, the Levant, North Africa, Southern Africa, South East Asia and the Southern Balkans. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of political, macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.

Written by a team of seasoned analysts based on the ground for six months, the critically acclaimed Emerging Markets series of economic, political and business annuals have become the leading source of intelligence on specific countries in emerging regions. OBG's online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG's consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in emerging markets and those looking to enter them.

In the Gulf and Levant, OBG publishes Emerging Dubai, Emerging Abu Dhabi, Emerging Kuwait, Emerging Bahrain, Emerging Qatar, Emerging Oman, Emerging Lebanon, Emerging Jordan, Emerging Egypt and Emerging Syria.

In the pipeline are Emerging Northern Emirates and Emerging Saudi Arabia.

Menas Associates is an independent British consulting firm that focuses on providing its clients with essential strategic intelligence for key business decisions. The firm consists of two distinct divisions which operate separately so that consultancy projects remain completely confidential. Menas Consulting offers risk management and strategy services through bespoke research, analysis, and advice using a unique network of international experts and consultants. Menas Focus produces regular weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and quarterly electronic publications which provide our clients with incisive and exclusive analysis of political, economic and business developments that are mainly unavailable from other sources.

QFMA - The Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) is the regulatory supervising authority of the domestic capital markets. QFMA is the listing and licensing authority for the securities industry and relevant activities. It also has the responsibility to ensure market integrity and transparency by enforcing the market rules and regulations on market participants, and conducting the necessary surveillance and supervision activities.

Recently created, QFMA is implementing a new regulatory infrastructure for the capital markets and the securities industry, based on the IOSCO requirements and recommendations.

The objectives of the QFMA include:

• Develop an adequate market structure and regulation to ensure fostering investor confidence in the Qatari Capital Markets
• Create & strengthen the market institutions
• Strengthen the capital Market Integrity through conducting proper market surveillance and adequate supervision framework
• Meet international standards for laws, regulations and operations
• Streamline market processes and reduce financial risks
• Improve investor awareness and protection

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