Panels & Speakers

Panel 1: International Finance

Entering the World Stage: The Global Integration of MENA’s Finance

The region, awash with oil money is gaining central stage in global finance. This panel addressed the evolving role of MENA's finance industry as it plays financier and strategic investor to global institutions in addition to actively searching for diversification and growth as it paves the old silk route, flooding emerging markets in the East.
 

Panelists:
HE Mr. Samir Al-Rifa'i: CEO, Jordan Dubai Capital
Mr. Abdalla El Ebiary: Principal, Citadel Capital
Mr. Omar Lodhi: Executive Director, Abraaj Capital
Mr. Hashem Montasser: Managing Director and Head of Asset
Management, EFG Hermes
Mr. Ahmed Tantash: Chairman/CEO, Jordan Investment Trust - Jordinvest

Moderator:
Mr. Nashat Masri: Partner, Foursan Group

Panel 2: Private Sector

Diagnosing the Vitality of MENA Corporations

This panel sought to examine the extent to which MENA multinationals are participating in this trend of increased sophistication and global influence. In particular, during the course of this panel, we examined the following questions:

• How successful are MENA corporations when compared against their peers in other emerging markets? Which sectors and specific firms in the MENA region have shown particular success?
• How have the business models of MENA corporations been evolving over time? To what extent have local companies been moving into more complex segments of the value chain over time? How much innovation are MENA corporations doing?
• What are the factors contributing to the increased sophistication and success of MENA corporations? What are the factors that are hindering the performance of these firms? In particular, what are the trends surrounding corporate governance, research and development, and capital market sophistication?

Panelists:
Mr. Haytham K. Dahleh: CEO and General Manager, United Arab Investors Company
Mr. Omar El Hamamsy: Partner, McKinsey & Company
Mr. Alex Ghiso: Managing Director, Ripplewood Holdings
Mr. Luis Leon : Group Strategy Director, Zain

Moderator:
Dr. Safwan Masri: Professor and former Vice Dean, Columbia University Graduate School of Business

Panel 3: Civic Engagement Panel

Jordan as a showcase for social responsibility in the Middle East

Civic engagement is the process of active giving to promote the well being of the community. The region is seeing the rise of Arab philanthropy and the involvement of the private and public sectors to create economic opportunity for society at large. This panel explored the extent to which Jordan and the wider Middle East address the significance of civic engagement as a bedrock for progressive communities.

• What is the social and economic impact on society at large?
• What is the difference between charity and active civic engagement?
• Take initiative! What opportunities exist in Jordan and the wider Middle East to give back and make a difference? Where and how can we inspire young minds, change lives, promote entrepreneurial thinking and empower underserved communities?
• How active has Jordan been in terms of growing its own foundations and launching its civic engagement initiatives?

Panelists:
Mr. Omar Al Hmoud: Deputy Country Director, Mercy Corps Jordan
Ms. Valentina Qussisiya: Director General, Jordan River Foundation
Ms. Samar Dudin: Founder, Takween
Mr. Dennis Walto: CEO, Save the Children, Jordan Chapter

Panel 4: Art in the Middle East

Local Voices and Global Networks

There is a tangible change in the art scene in the Middle East today and an unprecedented engagement with the international art community. "Middle Eastern" art is now competing with Indian art and other developing markets (like Chinese art) whether at Chrisities, Sotherby's or other renown auction houses. This explosion of growth in the art scene includes art producers, art consumers, art "consultants", fairs, galleries and museums.

For example, the most recent Gulf Art Fair held in Dubai in Feb 2008 attracted over 400 exhibitors from all over the world, including Tokyo, Sydney, Sao Paulo, India. Western brand names such as Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst stood side by side with contemporary Middle Eastern artists such as Adel El-Siwi and Shirin Nashat.

This panel sought to examine the evolving nature of the art scene in the Arab world. In particular, during the course of this panel, we examined the following questions:

• Are we witnessing a revival of art and cultural production in the Middle East?
• How is all of this changing the "image" of the Arab world vis-a-vis the international community?
• How are indigenous cultures being represented in such transnational interactions?
• Are there regional intra-Arab differences in the way that art is being produced and consumed and if so, what effects might that have on the construction of a pan-Arab image of sorts?
• Are we seeing a new role for the Arab artist? and what are some examples of innovative ways of engaging with critical political and economic issues through art?

Panelists:
Ms. Yasmin Alireza: Trustee, Al Madad Foundation
Mr. Bashar Alshroogi: Managing Partner, Cuadro Fine Art Gallery
Ms. Antonia Carver: Editor, Bidoun Magazine
Ms. Maneli Keykavoussi: Head of Middle Eastern Markets, The Fine Art Fund Group
Mr. Zain Mustafa: CEO and Creative Director, Untitled Interiors