Investing in 
The New Levant
8 May 2014 | Four Seasons, Amman  
 
08/05/2014
08:30 - 08:55Registration & Networking
09:00 - 09:05Chair’s Opening Remarks

Henny Sender, Chief Correspondent, International Finance, Financial Times

09:05 - 9:10Welcome Remarks

Lea Baroudi, Managing Partner, Macarlea Advisory Group

09:10 - 9:20Welcome Address from the Prime Minister
H.E. Dr. Abdullah Ensour
Prime Minister,
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

09:20 - 10:15Opening Keynote Session: The Levant: Change & Opportunity
  • What is driving the New Levant’s key growth trajectories? 
  • What is the outlook for the region’s economic and finance sectors, and what must the international and domestic business communities do to make the most of new opportunities (in infrastructure, ICT, real estate, energy and finance) and further strengthen existing ties?
Adam Ereli, Vice Chairman, Mercury, and former US Ambassador to Bahrain
Karim Kawar, President, Kawar Group and former Jordanian Ambassador to the United States
Necmettin Kaymaz, Chief Project Director, Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey
Carol Malouf, CEO, Macarlea Advisory Group 
Christine Qiang, Manager, Investment Climate Department, World Bank Group

Moderated by 
Henny Sender, Chief Correspondent, International Finance, Financial Times


10:15 - 11:00Sector Spotlight Panel: Energy & Natural Resources
The eastern Arab region is rich in natural resources, it is one of the most prominent and promising sectors in this grouping of countries, particularly as global energy demands increase and commodity prices remain volatile. Demand in the region is estimated to grow by about 7 per cent during the next decade. This panel will look, among others, at emerging prospects for oil and gas exploration, addressing transmission and technology issues, and where renewables fit in the energy mix.

Senator Alaa A Batayneh, former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, and Minister of Transport; founding partner, Alarif Consultancy
Valerie Harrison, Associate Consultant, APCO Worldwide Istanbul Office
Heike Harmgart , Head of Office, Jordan, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Moderated by
Omar Masri, Group MD, EDGO




11:00 - 11:30Networking tea and coffee break
11:30 - 12:15Sector Spotlight Panel: Infrastructure and Real Estate

Opportunities abound when it comes to infrastructure investments in the Levant region and governments, eager to secure funding for infrastructure projects such as rail and road deals, are reviving national infrastructure projects and as a result, bankers say the project financing pipeline is building up. 

Mounir Douaidy, General Manager – CFO Member of the Board of Directors, Solidere
Dr Kamel O. Mahadin, Chief Commissioner, ASEZA
Samih Sawiris, Chairman and CEO, Orascom Development 

Moderated by:
Henny Sender, Chief Correspondent, International Finance, Financial Times

12:15 - 13:00Sector Spotlight Panel: Financial Services
A change to the macroeconomic policy mix adopted by Levant region countries will help define the growth prospects and the new economic model going forward. The region has attracted significant international investment, for example equity investment for the year to date from global funds is about $1bn, an increase of 3 per cent since January. This panel will look, among others, new regulations in the banking sector, prospects and limitations for FDI under current frameworks, and growth projections.

Ahmed Ali AttigaCountry Manager & Head of Mission, IFC Middle East & North Africa Regional Dept. – Jordan & Iraq Resident Mission
Ziad Awad, Founder and CEO, Awad Advisory
Suha Najjar, CEO, Akkadia Partners

Moderated by:
Henny Sender, Chief Correspondent, International Finance, Financial Times 


13:00 - 14:00Networking lunch
14:00 - 15:00Sector Spotlight Panel: Information and Communications Technology
The communications and technology industry is essential in ensuring economic growth. Some international companies have already spotted potential returns on offer from this underdeveloped sector, such as SAP, Europe’s biggest software company, which last year targeted the countries in the Middle East and North Africa by committing to spend $450m over four years. Jordan’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector is also buoyant and looking to expand its reach across the region, with growth of 25 per cent last year, according to the ICT Association of Jordan. This panel will look at investment opportunities in the region and examine what more needs to be done in the policy context.

Jawad Abbassi, Chairman, Information & Communications Technology Association, Jordan
Hussein Freijeh, MD for Middle East and Africa, Yahoo
Ghassan Hasbani, Digital Economy Expert and CEO, Graycoats Consulting
H.E. Marwan Juma, Executive Chairman, Kinz and former Minister of ICT, Jordan 

Moderated by:
Henny Sender, Chief Correspondent, International Finance, Financial Times 


15:00 - 15:30Afternoon Tea & Coffee Break
15:30 - 17:30Invest in the Levant Round Table Session*
This dynamic networking session enables potential and existing investors to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and discuss topics of specific relevance, to meet and exchange ideas with peers and counterparts, and to hear from the experts. There will be two 40-minute discussions. please check at registration desk for table topics.

Christine Qiang, Manager, Investment Climate Department, World Bank Group 
Omar Masri, Group MD, EDGO 
H.E. Dr. Mohammad Hamed, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
Dr Kamel O. Mahadin, Chief Commissioner, ASEZA
Suha Najjar, CEO, Akkadia Partners 
Rana Moughabghab, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager, UNDP
Diana Menhem, Economic Officer, UNDP team Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL)
Turgay Adiyaman, Managing Director, Saffron Brand Consultants, Turkey
Valerie Harrison, Associate Consultant, APCO Worldwide Istanbul Office
Necmettin Kaymaz, Chief Project Director, Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey

*in-session refreshments will be provided
17:30Chair’s closing remarks and end of summit

Followed by Gala Drinks Reception

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