Autumn 2012

QATAR: Great expectations

qatarQatar has dreams of becoming a financial hub and has money to spend, but not everything it needs can be bought, finds George Mitton.

 

UAE FUNDS: A new regime

The Gate QatarAsset managers operating in the United Arab Emirates are digesting new rules for the country’s funds industry, which some see as a blow to the Dubai International Financial Centre. George Mitton reports.

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW: Sudden growth

Shahzad-ShahbazThe chief executive at QInvest talks to George Mitton about a joint venture with EFG-Hermes that could create the region’s biggest investment bank.

EMERGING MARKETS: Rebalancing trade

FabricsThe Arab world and China share a history of commerce and have compatible attitudes to business. George Mitton asks if these regions are rediscovering an old friendship.

ROUNDTABLE: Questioning Qatar

Key players in Qatar’s small asset management sector discuss the challenges of building a business in a wealthy country whose financial infrastructure is developing. Chaired by George Mitton.

Pages

Sponsored Profiles

Regulatory expertise vital as African managers eye Europe

There’s no doubt that Africa has been seen increasingly as an attractive prospect for inbound investment in recent years, with investors seeing real potential in the continent, particularly in the private equity, infrastructure and real estate asset classes, as it experiences strong economic growth.

SPONSORED FEATURE: The paradox of low volatility

Plausible explanations exist for why low-volatility stocks perform better than their high-volatility counterparts.

SPONSORED FEATURE: A permanent presence

Aberdeen Asset Management has set up its first Middle East office in the newly established Abu Dhabi Global Market. Andrew Paul, senior executive officer, explains why.

SPONSORED FEATURE: The emerging opportunity

A recent sovereign bond issue from Saudi Arabia underlines the appeal of emerging market investing. What must investors consider when allocating to this asset class? Firas Mallah of BMO Global Asset Management shares his views.

Executive Interviews

INTERVIEW: ‘Financing is the blood of Iran’s economy’

Amid a fresh wave of American sanctions, Romil Patel spoke to Meysam Hamedi, director of financial markets and instruments at Iran’s Securities & Exchange Organization (SEO).

INTERVIEW: Totally mega

In 2016, global consulting firm PWC forecast the emergence of five global ‘megatrends’ in the next two decades. Stephen Anderson, its Middle East clients and markets leader, talks about their...

INTERVIEW: Protecting the investment

Rasmala’s trade finance fund recently passed $100 million in assets. Doug Bitcon, head of credit strategies, explains why he has to be hands-on.

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW: A natural interest in the topic

Since 2016, Guillermo Ortiz has been a chairman of Latin America’s BTG Pactual. The former central banker of Mexico talks to Nick Fitzpatrick.

ALL INTERVIEWS

Roundtables

South Africa asset management roundtable: Global rebound on ice

Experts discuss the investment implications of the coronavirus pandemic, a delayed rebound in global growth and dealing with South Africa’s energy issues head on. Chaired by Romil Patel in Cape Town.

South African roundtable: Taking the bull by the horns

Our panel discusses Chinese investment in Africa, financial institutions’ contribution to economic sustainability and regulatory concerns. Chaired by Romil Patel in Cape Town.

ROUNDTABLE: Hooked to the global caravan

With the MENA region at a tipping point, our panellists talk about economic diversification, the impact of regulation and the delayed Saudi Aramco listing. Chaired by Romil Patel in Dubai.

MENA ROUNDTABLE: ‘The story is about reforms’

Our cross-industry panel discuss the positive backdrop in Egypt, the Dana Gas controversy and the potential index upgrades of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Chaired by George Mitton in Dubai.

ALL ROUNDTABLES