More than 150 senior decision-makers from listed and non-listed institutions and investors from across the GCC region took part in the Arindon annual capital markets and investors conference.

The event was held at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa on Wednesday. The successful panel-style conference consisted of four themed interactive sessions.

These were the market outlook in the Mena region as impacted by the ramifications of the Arab Spring; how alternative investments have fared and others that have filled the gap of non-performance of traditional investment vehicles; the re-emergence of debt capital markets in the region; and the emphasis on new and focused investment preferences.

'Today's market is facing a new set of challenges that we have not experienced before,' said Arindon managing director Anthea Ameer.

The market outlook for the region is believed to be positive with expected growth of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent, according to NCB Capital head of equities Mohammed Al Shammasi.

Saudi Arabia is the key player with huge financial resources whereas liquidity is tighter in Kuwait and Bahrain, he said.

Dubai is the least-valued and therefore has potential upside. Abu Dhabi and Qatar will continue to be the safest play especially after the huge support by the government in bailing out the real estate and the financial sector to the benefit of the shareholder.

Egypt is set for recovery, but the question is when, but when it starts it will have a high growth potential.

As for the hedge fund alternatives, despite a shrinking number of players in the field compared to 2008, the assets under management by hedge funds is higher than ever before at over $2 trillion, according to Notz, Stucki and Cie general manager Maria-Sofia Kourti.

'In 2012, the hedge fund strategies that are likely to perform are the macro alternative and managers who stand to benefit from credit yields,' he said.

'We are delighted with the success of our fifth conference and proud to have hosted international and regional executives in Bahrain to discuss and exchange views on what are the germane issues and emerging approaches in the GCC,' said Arindon director Tijjay Majiyagbe.

'Our conference is being held at a particularly uncertain but interesting time and we thank all participants for the great turnout and for making the conference a great success.

'Particularly we thank Mumtalakat for their platinum sponsorship and Batelco, Securities & Investment company, Al Baraka Banking Group and DesignGrafix for their continued support.

'Also our appreciation goes to the Bahrain Bourse, Alba, Addax Bank, JP Morgan, Notz Stucki & Cie and the Bahrain Financial Exchange all of whom have contributed towards the delivery of this successful event,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service