Kuwaiti investors are known as the most active foreign investors in the GCC market, and as a result, are heavily involved in investments in Europe and the US; the largest finance capitals of the world.
With a view to bring forth opportunities within Kuwait and draw investors into the country to support opportunities within the oil and gas and infrastructure sector, the IFN Kuwait Forum happening for the first time in 2014, is expected to attract issuers and investors into one of the GCC’s most vibrant markets, and gain the support of key players as well as government bodies and regulators as the Kuwaiti investment landscape evolves according to global market conditions and investors look to diversify their exposure to the west, and look at potential on a domestic scale and in the Middle East and Asia, in light of current events.
Agenda
08:00 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 10:00
Opening Panel Session: Developing Kuwait as an Islamic Investment Center
Structure of the capital markets in Kuwait and comparison with other markets
Key drivers for sustainable growth of Kuwait's Islamic investment industry
Significance of recent financial reform to potential Islamic investors
Scope of the new laws on Islamic finance initiatives within Kuwait
Discussing an industry-wide strategy required to encourage inward investments
Moderator:
Jawad Ali - Managing Partner, Middle East Offices, King & Spalding
Panelists:
Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout - Regional Managing Partner, DLA Piper Ahmed Fayed AlGebali - Director & Global Head, Islamic Financial Services, Islamic Development Bank Emad Al Monayea - Board Director & Chief Executive Officer, KFH Investment Co., Kuwait Issam Al Tawari - Chairman & Managing Director, Rasameel Structured Finance Company, Kuwait
10:00 - 10:20
Presentation: Meeting Kuwait's Infrastructure Needs through Islamic Project Finance As Kuwait continues its rapid infrastructure development an abundance of opportunities exist for market players to fund housing, road, water and power projects through Shariah compliant project financing. This session will cover the trends, structures and opportunities available Alex Saleh - Partner and Head of Kuwait Office, Al Tamimi & Company
Presentation: Enabling Regulations: Developing the Legal, Tax and Regulatory Landscape to Promote Inward Islamic Investment in Kuwait In a bid to create a supportive environment for economic development the Kuwaiti government recently passed legislation to enhance corporate governance and encourage inward investment. What impact will this have on establishing a domestic Islamic investment market?
A discussion of recently passed legislation and its impact on Kuwaiti based businesses
Creation of a legislative and tax framework to promote Islamic finance transactions: Lessons learnt from mature markets
Hossam Abdullah - Partner, ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners
10:35 - 11:05
Coffee and Networking
11:05 - 11:50
Global Real Estate Roundtable: Opportunities for Kuwaiti Investors Real estate projects currently underway in the GCC have been estimated to exceed US$1 trillion with Gulf nations accounting for approximately 87% of the investments. Investors in the Middle East are expected to spend a further US$180 billion in commercial real estate markets outside the Middle East over the next 10 years. As real estate continues to be a key driver for economies globally, what trends are expected to unfold in Shariah compliant financing to capitalize on and support this growth?
Innovation in real estate financing structures and products
Which real estate markets are expected to outperform and why?
Investment trends, strategies and risks for the global real estate market
Moderator:
Abdulkader Thomas - Chief Executive Officer, SHAPE Financial
Panelists:
Fahed Boodai - Executive Chairman, Gatehouse Bank Imam Qazi - Partner, Foot Anstey, United Kingdom Jean Philippe Besse - Founder, Parisian Real Estate Advisor, France Paul Devonshire - Director, Pramerica Real Estate Investors, Germany
11:50 - 12:05
Presentation: US Real Estate Investment Opportunities for Islamic Investors Isam Salah - Partner, King & Spalding, New York/Dubai
The Islamic Investment Landscape: Market Trends and Strategies for 2015 Investment experts and advisors offer their perspectives on potential growth sectors in the Islamic investment universe. What Shariah compliant investment instruments are available? Which classes and sectors will deliver favorable returns?
What will the year ahead hold for Islamic investors and fund managers
Which asset classes are expected to outperform and why
Risk vs. opportunity: Understanding the risks and impact on the Islamic asset management industry
The changing face of the institutional investment market: Discussing investment strategies and product trends for 2015
Capitalizing on opportunities in the rapidly evolving Halal sector
Prospects for investment in the global Islamic real estate and property industry
Outlook for Islamic asset management and investment funds: i-ETFs, private equity funds
Moderator:
Lawrence Oliver - Deputy Chief Executive Officer, DDCAP Group, United Kingdom
Panelists:
Badria Al Humaidhi - Vice President & Head of Asset Management, Boubyan Capital Kavilash Chawla - Managing Director, Nur Global Strategies, and Visiting Scholar, International Business Program, Drake University, USA Mohamed Mokhtar - Vice President, IdealRatings, Egypt Patrick Rochette - Director & Principal Representative, Bank of London & The Middle East, UAE
12:50 - 13:30
Investors Roundtable: Assessing Established and Emerging Islamic Investment Destinations While established Islamic investment hubs such as Asia and the Gulf have been tried and tested new and emerging Islamic markets have much to offer investors looking for new opportunities and to diversify their portfolios. This session will offer a risk/reward analysis on key investment markets and what they have to offer Islamic investors.
Moderator:
Lawrence Oliver - Deputy Chief Executive Officer, DDCAP Group, United Kingdom
Panelists:
Chahir Ben Halima - MENA Regional Manager - Business Development & Partnerships Department, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, IDB Group Ravi Abeysuriya - Director & Chief Executive Officer, Candor Group, Sri Lanka Tom Guest - Associate Director, Eiger Trading Advisors, United Kingdom Valérie Mantot - Director, Head of MENA, SANNE, UAE