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MENA Conference in Qatar
22nd – 23rd February 2010 |
| Beltone Financial is organizing a significant conference in Doha that will focus on the exceptional opportunities for investment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. MENA DAY IN QATAR is the first annual conference in a series of widely acclaimed investment conferences sponsored by Beltone Financial in New York and London.
Investors from the United States and Europe will have a unique opportunity to meet the heads of companies from the Middle East. One-on-one meetings can be arranged with the leaders of companies that are demonstrating that the fundamentals for long-term growth and profitability remain intact
Large companies in the Middle East continue to attract domestic and foreign capital including sectors such as banking and financial services, pharmaceuticals and construction as well as the hydrocarbon industry. Many private sector companies are reporting good profits.
The MENA region's industries are engaged in a vast number of new infrastructure projects that are being funded by surpluses accumulated in energy related industries over recent years. The World Bank forecasts positive growth in MENA, which has a combined GDP of more than US$1,500 billion per annum.
Increasing demand for consumer products by a rising population and engagement with global trade are transforming the region’s economic landscape. |
W Hotel |
 W Doha Hotel & Residences is ‘the ultimate expression of style and sophistication’ combining casual elegance, located in Doha’s West Bay area.
World-renowned chefs Jean-Georges
Vongerichten and Jean-Georges have created
Spice Market and The Market restaurants.
There are exceptional areas to meet and greet,
such as the cozy Living Room, La Maison du
Caviar, the Crystal Lounge, and Wahm, the
poolside Shisha lounge. |
| Rooms are connected to the Internet 24/7. |
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Meet Middle East decision-makers |
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| MENA DAY IN QATAR Beltone’s analysts are optimistic that the long-term fundamentals provide attractive opportunities for investment in companies listed on the region’s stock exchanges.more |
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Knowledge is Key |
| Source: World Bank |
| The Middle East is building a knowledge economy to foster sustainable economic growth and promote the welfare of its people, according to the World Bank. Much has been achieved in the region in education and information and communication technology infrastructures and services but progress can still be made in private sector Development.more |
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3.3% GDP Growth rises to 16% |
| Reham El Desoki |
| Senior Economist, Beltone Financial |
| Qatar has benefited from high hydrocarbon prices on world markets, investing in diversification that has doubled non-hydrocarbon growth from an average of 5% in the 1990s to 10% since 2000. Opportunities for investment in a range of manufacturing and service industries have positioned Qatar in the top echelon of attractive Middle East countries.more |
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Diverse opportunities |
| Angus Blair |
| Head of Research, Beltone Financial |
| The economies of the MENA region vary significantly, from GDP per capita levels of around US$1,500 per annum to more than US$60,000 per annum. The economies are undergoing major economic reform and liberalisation programmes, boosting domestic private investment foreign direct investment.more |
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| Focus on Qatar |
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 Investors are concentrating on the announcement that one of Qatar’s major companies, Qatar Navigation, is merging with Qatar Shipping Company to form one of the largest entities to be traded on the Qatar Exchange. The conclusion of the merger, as dictated by the Qatari government, is yet to be announced. But the combination of the two marine services companies is regarded as a positive step. Qatar Navigation already holds a 15 per cent stake in Qatar Shipping.
Qatar Navigation is active beyond the seven operating divisions that are involved in a broad range of shipping and cargo handling activities. The company holds an important portfolio of investments on the Qatar Exchange. They include 15 per cent in Qatar Gas Transport (Nakilat), a strategic group handling the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Management is very strong and has steered the company through the financial crisis while offering an improvement in profitability in some divisions throughout 2009.
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Qatar National Bank (QNB)
One of the soundest banks in the Middle East, Qatar National Bank is demonstrating high profitability with Return On Average Equity (ROAE) estimated at almost 26 per cent for FY2009, high efficiency and asset quality and strong capitalization. Banks are supported strongly by the Qatar government, which was demonstrated by the purchase of equity ... more |
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