Business & Money | Friday 20 March, 2015 1:30 am |

Investors Primed for Opening of Saudi Stock Exchange to Foreign Investment
Implications and Opportunities Set to Be Discussed at Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference

The opening of the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) to foreign investment could be one of the most important financial events of the year, according to experts preparing for the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference, taking place from 5-6 May 2015.
A report by Jadwa Investment published last year suggested the initiative could bring as much as US$ 50 billion into the market.
Although no fixed date has been announced, investors are anticipating that Tadawul will open to foreign investment by large investors in the first half of 2015, with plans already at an advanced stage. The Capital Markets Authority of Saudi Arabia published draft regulations on the types of funds that will be able to invest at the end of 2014, sparking excitement across the markets.
This year’s Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference will feature an exclusive on-stage interview with Mohamed Al-Jadaan, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority, to provide the latest updates on the process for local and international bankers.
In addition, the event will features insights from leading figures in the financial world, such as Jean Lemierre, Chairman of BNP Paribas, who will explain how their institutions are preparing for this key moment in financial history. According to recent reports, a number of international banks have been hiring and building up their Saudi offices in advance of the opening.
Euromoney Conferences’ Regional Director, Richard Banks, said: “Almost every significant financial institution is keeping a close eye on Saudi Arabia, which represents probably the most exciting investment opportunity of the next 12 months. The market is waiting for clarification on the timing and also the types of investors that will be able to invest. This year’s Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference will be a prime opportunity to hear from the people at the heart of the process, as well as from leaders from the international banking community, about what will happen next.”
Equity markets will be among the key topics of discussion during the event, with two dedicated panels looking at the current local and international IPO pipeline, as well as the role and opportunities of secondary markets.
Among the panellists already confirmed are Khalid Al-Ghamdi, Acting Chief Executive Officer, GIB Capital; Hasnain Malik, Managing Director, Head of Frontier Markets Strategy, Exotix Partners LLP; and Dr. Avanidhar Subrahmanyam, Professor of Finance; Goldyne and Irwin Hearsh Chair in Money and Banking, UCLA Anderson School of Management.
With major international speakers and strong institutional support from within the Kingdom, the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference will provide an incredible overview of the financial prospects within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
For more information on the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference, visit www.euromoneyconference.com/saudi.html.

About Euromoney Conferences:
Euromoney Conferences (www.euromoneyconferences.com) is the leading organiser of financial events in both developed and developing markets. Euromoney runs large-scale events in the major financial capitals of the world and in selected Middle Eastern countries – notably Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar. Euromoney Institutional Investor plc was founded in 1969, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation in excess of $1bn.