Standard Chartered sponsors Iraq Finance 2014

Standard Chartered sponsors Iraq Finance 2014

Second International Exhibition and Conference on Banking and Finance in Iraq to be held in Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 27 January 2014 – Standard Chartered announced today its sponsorship of the Second International Exhibition and Conference on Banking and Finance in Iraq, Iraq Finance 2014. Standard Chartered will be the lead sponsor of the event which will take place in Dubai on 27 and 28 January, 2014. Under the patronage of the Central Bank of Iraq, the Conference will bring together leading Iraqi Government and Iraqi Central Bank officials, including the Minister of Finance and Central Bank Governor, senior international bankers and finance executives to discuss the significant opportunities in the country.

In November 2013, Standard Chartered inaugurated its headquarter in Iraq and first branch in Baghdad becoming the first international bank to have on-the-ground presence in the country. The bank aims to open a branch in Erbil during the first Quarter of 2014 and another in Basra during 2014. The bank will provide Transaction Banking, Project and Export Finance, Structured Trade Finance, Financial Markets services, Capital Markets and Corporate Finance solutions in the country to its existing multinational clients operating in the country.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Gavin Wishart, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered in Iraq said:

“We are excited to play a leading role in supporting our multinational clients who are actively investing in the country. We believe this will have a positive impact on Iraq’s economic development and the deepening of its financial infrastructure. The 2014 Iraq Finance conference is an ideal event that will bring together leading local and international experts to debate the challenges and potential opportunities in a world class forum. As lead sponsors Standard Charted Bank is delighted to support this event.”

At the conference, Standard Chartered will be participating by sharing its international expertise, notably in financing of infrastructure projects in the Energy, Construction and telecoms sectors. Ravi Suri, Regional Head of Corporate Finance in MENAP, Standard Chartered Bank will taking part in a panel titled:”Managing risk and maximising opportunity in Iraq’s projects market”. Salman Ansari, Regional Head of Debt Capital Markets for MENA and Global Head of Sovereigns and Supra-Nationals will also be sharing the Standard Chartered’s views on the Capital Markets opportunity in Iraq. The Bank will also be presenting its economic outlook and views on the Iraqi economy.

Iraq Finance is designed to act as a marketplace for delegates, attracting and aligning the sponsors of local projects in Iraq with international investors. It will additionally provide a forum for discussion around three major focus areas arising from the rapid economic growth and development in Iraq. These include the sources and financial structures for Iraq’s major projects, the current state of the banking sector and participation of foreign lenders and the technology environment and its pivotal role in driving innovation and alleviating risk. For more information about the event, please visit: http://iraqfinance2014.com/.