Borse Dubai International Investor Conference achieves success in NY 

(MENAFN Press) The Borse Dubai International Investor Conference New York 2009 successfully concluded on Tuesday, November 3rd 2009, with more than 273 meetings attended by 116 fund managers, institutional investors and senior representatives of 15 companies listed on Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and NASDAQ Dubai. The meetings include 135 one-to-one meetings and 138 group meetings.

The event was organized in cooperation with Citigroup Global Markets and Goldman Sachs and attended by high-profile New York-based international institutional investors and fund managers.

With a sole open session headed by Essa Kazim, Chairman, Borse Dubai Limited and Executive Chairman, DFM and Jeff Singer, Chief Executive, NASDAQ Dubai, the conference was designed to facilitate numerous one-to-one meetings between representatives of listed companies and fund managers and institutional investors, where companies discussed their growth and investment strategies for the future.

Commenting on the outcome of the event, Essa Kazim, Chairman, Borse Dubai Limited and Executive Chairman, Dubai Financial Market, said: "We are extremely delighted with the outcome of this roadshow as we have seen a tremendous turnout of institutional investors and fund managers, which reflects the high level of interest from the New York-based investors and is a clear testament to the success of this joint initiative. DFM and NASDAQ Dubai continue to provide listed companies with unique opportunities to interact with major international institutions and discuss their upcoming projects and strategies."

Furthermore, this interaction enables international investors to identify opportunities in the rapidly growing financial markets of the region in general and Dubai markets in particular. We are confident about the real value of such roadshows in supporting the development and growth of our listed companies and attracting investors from the international markets to diversify the shareholder base. Undoubtedly, the number of attendees, either from our listed companies or international investors and the one-to-one meetings clearly demonstrates the great success we met in New York. Consequently, DFM and NASDAQ Dubai will replicate this successful event across other financial centers in the near future in response to this high level of demand, he added.

Jeff Singer, Chief Executive of NASDAQ Dubai, said: We are delighted that so many International fund managers and other investors attended the conference and showed such a high level of interest in the growing opportunities available in Dubai and the region. As well as equities , these include equity derivatives listed on NASDAQ Dubai.
As the regions international exchange, with unique links to international as well as regional investors, NASDAQ Dubai intends to play a growing role as a capital markets gateway between the region and international markets.

DFM and NASDAQ Dubai-listed companies representatives welcomed the joint initiative from DFM and NASDAQ Dubai and stressed the importance of the conference as an ideal platform to showcase growth strategies of their respective companies.

Osama Fattaleh, Chief Operating Officer, Aramex, said: As a listed company with the highest foreign ownership on DFM and a large number of institutional investors, it is imperative for Aramex to present its strategy to the financial community in New York. Such international roadshows serve as an excellent platform for listed companies, such as ours, to maintain and further develop relations with institutional investors and fund managers across global financial capitals."

Bernhard Franz-Marwick, Head, Investor Relations, Emirates NBD said: The uncertainties and challenges posed by the current economic downturn have necessitated continued, if not increased, engagement with the market and Emirates NBD have maintained an active dialogue with the regional and international investor community throughout the past year. The Borse Dubai Investor Conference in New York provided an excellent opportunity to continue this dialogue at a time when the economic environment is showing signs of stabilization and the outlook, particularly for Dubai, is becoming clearer and more positive.

Noor Sweid, Managing Director- Strategy, Depa said:The Conference was a very well organized and a great opportunity to bring DFM and Nasdaq Dubai companies together with the Highly regarded investment funds. The timing was also well chosen as the Investment sentiment has improved globally and significantly in the region.

The listed companies taking part in the roadshow were : Air Arabia, Aramex, Depa, Dubai Islamic Bank, Dubai Financial Market Company, Emaar, Emirates NBD, DP World, Drake and Scull International, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, IFA, Mazaya Holding, NetSol, Arabtec and SHUAA Capital.