QNB to Host IIF's 16th Annual MENA Bank Chief Executives Meeting

Doha, February 19 (QNA) - QNB Group will host the 16th annual meeting of the International Institute of Finance (IIF) for Middle Eastern and North African Bank Chief Executives, due to be held in Doha on February 22-23. The agenda of the conference includes discussions on the current economic situation in the MENA region, in particular the impact of Arab Spring and its short-term risks and long-term opportunities. Other topics include ways to deepen regional financial markets and infrastructure projects finance. Participants will discuss the latest developments in the global economy and their impact on the financial sector. They will also tackle developments in the international banking sector, including ways to further develop the capital markets in the region and potential impact of regulatory reforms on banks and other financial institutions. "QNB Group is pleased to host this prestigious event for the second time as it offers leaders of the banking community in the region to exchange view on the latest development impacting the financial sector," QNB Group CEO Ali Shareef Al-Emadi said in a statement released by the group. Keynote speakers and delegates will address the meeting including Tim Adams, the newly appointed IIF's Managing Director, along with a senior delegation from the Institute. Other keynote speakers include Dr. Josef Ackermann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zurich Insurance Group. Also attending the conference is Mr. Ibrahim Dabdoub, Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Kuwait and a member of the IIF's Board of Directors. Chief executives and senior officials from other banks and financial institutions in the MENA region along with a number of delegations and experts from international financial institutions are expected to attend the event. QNB Group is hosting the event for the second time after having hosted the 10th edition of MENA Bank Chief Executives in 2007. The IIF organizes its annual meeting of MENA Bank Chief Executives in association with one of the leading financial institutions in the region to discuss the issues impacting the global economy as well as developments affecting the financial sector from a global and a regional perspective. Apart from the Bank Chief Executives meeting, the IIF holds on regular basis other annual conferences in the MENA region including one for Chief Risk Officers and Chief Economists. Established in 1982, the IIF is a Washington D.C. based global association of leading financial institutions that includes amongst its members commercial and investment banks and insurance companies. The institute currently has over 450 members headquartered in more than 70 countries. (QNA)