A strong line-up of international and regional experts in finance will discuss the global economic outlook, its recovery and its effects on regional financial markets at the upcoming GCC Financial Forum in Bahrain.

Organised by Euromoney Conferences, the fourth edition of the forum will be co-hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), on February 24 and 25 at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa.

The event will see participation from more than 400 delegates from the international, regional and local financial community.

The 2015 forum will be inaugurated by Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and acting chief executive, Bahrain EDB.  Presenting the first keynote address will be internationally renowned American portfolio manager, lawyer and economist, James Rickards, chief global strategist, the West Shore Funds and Author of ‘The Death of Money and Currency Wars’.

A major highlight of this year’s forum is an exclusive open ‘Town-Hall’ discussion with Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor of Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). This is a new and interactive format which will allow audience members to put their questions directly to the Governor.

The two-day forum will also feature a high-profile discussion examining the impact of the current global macroeconomic environment on the GCC and the outlook for the region.

The second day will focus on industry and investment in Bahrain and will see a keynote interview with Mumtalakat’s CEO, Mahmood Al Kooheji, who will give his opinion on the sovereign wealth fund’s investment decisions and how the institution is evolving.

Richard Banks, director, Emerging Markets, Euromoney Conferences said: “We have a stellar line up of speakers for the 4th GCC Financial Forum. We will provide a platform for our participants to gain valuable insight into how the regional financial sector must redefine both its role and its methods in coping with a reluctant global economic recovery and a decline in oil prices.”

“The financial sector has an important role to play in providing the capital, products and services ensuring that the region’s economies are able to maintain their strong growth in the coming years. At the same time, the increasing sophistication of the sector and the Gulf’s strong fundamentals mean that the opportunities for international investors to play a role in that growth are as great as ever,” said Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed.

“Conferences such as this can play an important role in addressing the most pressing issues as well as highlighting the opportunities, and we are delighted to be hosting the event in Bahrain,” he added.

This year Euromoney's multi-channel approach will utilise social media platforms such as Twitter: inviting interested participants to voice their opinions using the hashtag #emBahrain during the various sessions.

Euromoney is the world’s leading organiser of conferences for cross-border investment and capital markets for portfolio and direct investors as well as financial entities. – TradeArabia News Service