Standard Chartered Forum 2011 held in Dubai

Forum highlights accelerated growth of emerging economies as Super Cycle impacts local, regional and global financial markets

Standard Chartered today hosted its annual Forum in Dubai. The 2011 event was held at Madinat Jumeirah and was attended by more than 500 of the Bank’s clients and senior management.  H.E. Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), was the guest of honour at the Forum.  This year, the Forum was held under the title: “The Super-Cycle: Emerging Economies Poised to Accelerate”.

HE Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Governor of DIFC commented: "With the shift of global power to emerging markets economies, especially to those in the East, the UAE and other GCC economies have greatly benefited from their strong trade and investment links with Asia. Given Standard Chartered’s expertise in emerging economies, and its long standing relationship with DIFC, we are confident that our partnership will play an important role in developing these links."

The annual event was held exclusively for Standard Chartered’s clients, and presents a cohesive programme that provides them with valuable insight, outlook, commentary and platforms for networking to further understand the current unprecedented market challenges and seize opportunities to outperform in the current climate.

The 2011 Forum provided a platform for discussion on the challenges and opportunities for emerging economies’ accelerated growth in light of the Global Economic Super Cycle. Dr. Gerard Lyons, Chief Economist, Standard Chartered, presented his Macro Economic outlook and overview of the world’s economies and hosted a session on the Bank’s recently published Super Cycle Report. Another panel discussion,”How emerging economies are driving the Super-Cycle”, was moderated by Lisa Oake, a renowned CNBC Asia presenter. Panelists participating included Lenny Feder, Group Head of Financial Markets, Standard Chartered; Iyad Malas, Chief Executive Officer, MAF Trust; and Joseph Stiglitz, Professor at Columbia University and Nobel Laureate for Economics, 2001. Other sessions focused on geopolitical developments in the Arab region, the Chinese yuan and energy and food Inflation.

Lenny Feder, Group Head of Financial Markets, Standard Chartered, commented:

“The Standard Chartered Dubai Forum presents a valuable networking platform for us to better understand our clients’ business needs and how we can support them. The Middle East is a key market for Standard Chartered. We remain confident of the long-term prospects of this region. Given our strong financial performance over the last few years, our deep knowledge of the emerging markets and drivers of today’s global economic recovery, we are well-positioned to support the growth of our many clients in the Middle East.

Dan Azzi, Co Head of Wholesale Banking, Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, Standard Chartered, added:

“Despite the significant political and economic challenges that some parts of the region are facing, we remain convinced that the Middle East offers significant opportunities for growth. With strong business and banking foundations, a global network across the most dynamic markets in today’s global economy and a world class infrastructure, Standard Chartered is ideally positioned to make a real difference in the economies and the communities we work within and the businesses we partner with.”

Standard Chartered has been operating in the Middle East for over 90 years. Out of its regional head office which is based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DFIC), the Bank runs the largest trading floor in the Middle East region with 200 seats and is an active player in developing an Arab talent pool capable of leading the bank and the industry in general.