Bernanke to Speak at NBAD’s GFMF in Abu Dhabi

Baker, Trichet, Summers, Sayegh, and Diamond among key speakers
Bernanke to Speak at NBAD’s GFMF in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (February 25, 2014) – Former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Dr. Ben S. Bernanke will speak at the 2014 Global Financial Markets Forum (GFMF), organised by the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD).

Dr. Bernanke, who left his post as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on February 3rd, will speak on the first day of the two-day Forum, which begins on March 4. In addition to Dr. Bernanke; Jean-Claude Trichet, former President of the European Central Bank, will join a lineup of other highly respected thinkers and influential policy-makers who will offer GFMF delegates a broad and balanced analysis of world market conditions and potential in 2014.

“Dr. Bernanke and Mr. Trichet oversaw the world’s largest economies during very turbulent times and will be able to offer insightful and valuable analysis of the state of the economy at the 2014 Global Financial Markets Forum,” says Alex Thursby, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NBAD. “We are confident that 2014 GFMF speakers and panelists will offer insightful and critical analysis of political and policy impacts on global markets.”

Dr. Bernanke, a distinguished economist, served as Chairman of President George W. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers. Mr. Trichet served as Governor of Banque de France before he was appointed to lead the European Central Bank. In 2008, Newsweek ranked Dr. Bernanke and Mr. Trichet as fourth and fifth, respectively, most powerful persons in the world.

Day 1 GFMF

This year’s conference will commence with a welcome address by H.E. Nasser Ahmed Alsowaidi, the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Chairman of NBAD. This will be followed by the keynote speech titled “Establishing Abu Dhabi as a Financial Centre,” to be delivered by H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Marketplace.

The first day of 2014 GFMF also offers keynote speeches by great global statesmen and policymaker; James A. Baker III, the former US Secretary of Treasury and State; H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Culture, Youth, and Social Development; and Lawrence H. Summers, former US Secretary of Treasury who also served as Director of White House National Economic Council, President of Harvard University, and chief Economist of the World Bank.

The day will also include a panel discussion comprising of executives of Abu Dhabi’s top companies: H.E. Abubaker Seddiq Khoori, Chairman of Aldar Properties; H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Marketplace, Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Sectors at Mubadala. The panel is moderated by Sameh Al Qubaisi, Managing Director & Head of Corporate Sales at NBAD’s Global Markets Division.

Another topic covered on the first day of the Forum: “Five things they didn’t tell you at Davos” by Mark Blyth, professor of International Political Economy at Brown University and commentator David McWilliams.

DAY 2

Alex Thursby, the Group CEO of NBAD, will deliver the opening remarks on the second day.
In the first panel discussion of the second day, H.E. Sultan Bin Nasser Al Suwaidi, the Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, will join Mr. Trichet and Dr Choongsoo Kim, Governor of Bank of Korea, the country’s central bank. This panel is moderated by John Defterios, CNN’s Emerging Markets Editor and Anchor.

Another panel titled “The State of the World Today,” will comprise of Mr. Trichet, former President of the European Central Bank; Peter Knez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Incapture; and Alastair Newton, Managing Director and Senior Political Analyst at Nomura International.

“We have chosen a select group of distinguished experts who will provide balanced and thorough analysis of the world economy with a particular emphasis on the increasing importance and influence of the West-East Corridor, which stretches from West Africa to East Asia,” says Mahmood Al Aradi, the Senior Managing Director & Head of Global Markets at NBAD.

The second day of the conference continues with two different panel discussions that will analyse the aerospace industry, a sector that is growing rapidly in the UAE; and another which will analyse the lessons of the 2008 financial crisis.

The panel “Did We Learn anything from the 2008 Banking Crisis” comprises of Bob Diamond, who is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Merchant Capital and former chief executive officer of Barclays Bank; Jes Staley, Managing Partner of BlueMountain Capital Management; and Pascal Blanqué, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Amundi. This panel is moderated by Davide Serra, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Algebris Investments.

“The impressive array of thought-leaders and influential people who contribute to the dialogue about world economics ensures that this year’s Global Financial Markets Forum will be another successful event,” says Mr. Al Aradi.

He adds: “GFMF’s success reflects the continued rising influence of the Gulf in the global economy and solidifies Abu Dhabi as a global financial hub.”
GFMF has been organised annually by NBAD since 2009. Over the years, GFMF has invited hundreds of attendees to share thoughts and benefit from discussions and analysis by prominent bankers, economists, investors and executives who offer insight and on the critical issues affecting global economy and investors’ sentiments.

Other Features

GFMF also offer Investor Presentation sessions, a programme introduced to the region by NBAD 2011 GFMF. The Investor Presentation sessions are offered on March 4 and 5.
A unique feature is the GFMF Virtual World, which allows NBAD to replicate the GFMF venue over virtual 3D environment. Delegates from around the globe who are unable to attend the forum in Abu Dhabi can participate via ‘virtual’ conference where they can interact and collaborate with other peers in their industry from the location of their choice in an environment that is closely similar to the real life event as possible.

GFMF Virtual World, powered by AvayaLiveTM Engage, is offered by GFMF’s partner Avaya. The application offers three-dimensional live conferencing that is accessible from any internet connection to support one-on-one conversations and group sessions.

Last year’s GFMF attracted more than 1,300 delegates from across many countries and it featured distinguished speakers such as Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of the French Republic; and State and a statesman; and David Millibad, former UK Foreign Secretary. In other years, GFMF featured speeches by Paul Volcker, former chairman of the US Federal Reserve System and economic advisor to President Barak Obama; and Axel Weber, former president of Deutsche Bundesbank, the German Central Bank and a member of European Central Bank Governing Council.

The 2014 GFMF begins March 4th in the prestigious Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, and concludes on March 5th.

Further details about the Forum are provided on http://www.gfmf-nbad.com