Preliminary Agenda
Main Conference Day 1 - Tuesday 31st March
The Middle East’: A Hot New Destination for Foreign Developing a Fresh Mindset for Trading the Region
08:50 Chairman’s Keynote Address:
Understanding the Markets of the Middle East
- Exploring key economic drivers for the Middle East and the affects on markets for all participants
- Re-examining the market crashes of 3 years ago; what parallels can be drawn with recent market events and what lessons were learned that can be applied now?
- Who is benefiting form the volatility and how?
- Putting regional markets in context – to what extent can the Middle East be considered as a single market and what are the implications for trading and investment throughout the region?
- Assessing disparities in the regions markets – exploring how differences in market depth and breadth, trading volumes, liquidity, volatility and technological readiness would influence a strategy for the region
- Towards a common Middle East market? Does the future of the region lie in seamless cross border trading and open markets or is there another path?
- Is this the end of the ‘buy and hold’ mind set and do traders need a new paradigm for the Middle East?
09:15 Regional Markets Focus Panel:
Assessing the Impact of Foreign Investors and Institutions on the Borses of the Region and Implications for Market Participants
- Evaluating the extent to which markets open to overseas trading and investment have been affected by cross-border flow
- Interpreting recent volatility, liquidity and value shocks on Middle East exchanges – to what extent were international trades responsible?
- How should local institutions on the buy side and the sell side be adapting structure and strategy to accommodate the growing interest in the region from the worlds institutions?
- How might the opening of the Saudi Tadawul influence the development of markets there and throughout the region?
- Towards a transparent and open market – assessing the potential positive impact that foreign players can have on the region’s markets
10:00 Trading the Region – Overcoming the Barriers, Boundaries and Borders of the Middle East to Access the Wealth of the Markets
- Taking a truly regional approach to integrating trading in the Middle East – looking beyond the gulf to the region’s emerging markets
- Accessing markets through a single regional platform – overcoming the challenges of a fragmented trading landscape
- Exploring the potential for technology to be the bridge between markets
- Successfully implementing a platform of technology and connectivity to achieve seamless cross border trading in the region
- Assessing the real potential for trading technology in the Middle East – towards electronic trading and algorithms?
10:30 Morning refreshments
The Markets of the Middle East – Borses and Regulatory Bodies in the Spotlight
11:10 Middle East Exchange Panel:
Exploring the implications of privatisation and consolidation of the region’s exchanges for markets and market participants
Assessing the influence of the exchanges on developments in regional markets, and the initiatives taken to promote access, liquidity and transparency
- Examining the role of the exchanges in the drive towards greater connectivity and technology investment
- The Role of the Exchanges in Shaping the Market Future of the Region
- Will competition or cooperation of the region’s exchanges be the driving force in market development?
11:50 Middle East Regulators Panel:
Interpreting Regulatory Objectives and Initiatives and Navigating the Regulatory Landscape of the Region
- Evaluating the regulatory structures of various markets in the region – which model is preferable and for which market participants?
- Uncovering the mid to long term goals of the regulators and the influence of the regulatory bodies on market development
- Assessing the key factors that influence regulation in the region and the implications for stakeholders
- Is there an ideal model for the Middle East, and which body has come the closest to achieving it?
12:30 Lunch
Stream A
Dissecting the Region – Exploring the Markets that Comprise the Middle East |
Stream B
Exploring Developments in Trading Platforms, Connectivity and Trade Processing |
14:00 |
UAE Panel: A Focus for Foreign Trade and Investment in the Region
- Examining the initiatives of Dubai to attract foreign investment and institutions – how have they shaped the markets of the Emirate?
- Exploring the institutions that comprise the markets of Dubai – ADX, DIFC, DIFX, DFM, DGCX, DMX, DFSA
- Assessing market structure and participation for Dubai
- Assessing the attempts by regulators to create a favourable environment for foreign institutions
- Evaluating the impact of global economic events on the future of the UAE’s economy and financial markets – understanding the implications for local and international buy side traders
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14:00 |
FIX connectivity and the Future of DMA in the Middle East
- Reviewing connectivity in the region – provisions made by exchanges and the benefits to markets
- Assessing how the ongoing process of collaboration and consolidation will impact on the development of connectivity
- Instigating the move towards FIX Protocol throughout the region
- Benefits for the buy side of implementing FIX
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14:30 |
Tapping the Region’s true Potential with Seamless Cross-Border Trading
- Exploring the benefits of DMA for the buy side trader
- Assessing the need for DMA in the region and the extent to which it is provided
- Capitalising on DMA as competitive market advantage
- Cross border DMA – putting the markets of the region, and the world, at your fingertips
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14:45 |
Saudi Arabia Panel: Accessing and Trading the Middle East’s Biggest Capital Market
- Accessing the Saudi Market – evaluating the best vehicles and partners for trading the Tadawul
- Comparing the Saudi Borse with others in the region – how have tighter restrictions on ownership and trading shaped the market?
- Assessing how continuing restrictions on foreign ownership and control are affecting trading patterns and market structure
- Examining the impact of opening the Tadawul on transparency, liquidity and market dynamics
- Towards open trading of the Saudi borse? Is Saudi’s market future one of global free access?
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15:00 |
Introducing Algorithmic Trading – Automated Strategies that Confer Competitive Advantage to Buy Side Traders
- Introducing algorithmic trading to the Middle East, assessing the readiness of the markets and the potential impact of automation
- Exploring simple algorithms and their benefits for buy side
- Examining the automation of trading strategies in US and European markets to demonstrate – a model for the Middle East?
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15:30 |
Afternoon refreshments
and
Networking Business Card Exchange
The business card exchange is an informal way to meet your fellow delegates. Structured around a series of informal 5 minute introductions, it is your opportunity to collect business cards, set up meetings or just familiarise yourself with the people who will shape the summit proceedings.
Fast and furious – bring plenty of business cards! |
Stream A continued
Dissecting the Region – Exploring the Markets that Comprise the Middle East |
Stream B continued
Technology Showcase – Exploring Developments in Connectivity and Trade Processing |
16:30 |
Panel Session: Trading the rest of the GCC
- Establishing how unifying features in the established markets of the region can assist in developing a strategy for the region
- Examining market dynamics and flow across the region’s borders and accounting for different market structures
- Utilising differences between markets to your advantage as part of your trading strategy
- Turning differences in regulation and market structure throughout the region to your advantage
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16:30 |
Operations Panel Session: Streamlining Trade Processing – Optimising Front, Middle and Back Office
- Assessing the functionality required to support optimal trading in the region
- Evaluating platforms and vendors and their ability to meet the needs of the buy side
- Identifying areas for improvement in trade processing and implementing solutions
- Guiding investment in improved systems and technologies
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17:00 |
Emerging Markets Panel Session:
Exploring the Emerging Markets of the Middle East and successful Strategies for Trading them
- Exploring the strengths of the region’s less established markets – from Beirut to Palestine
- Developing an approach to trading the smaller borses
- Accessing market and company information and incorporating it into your trading strategy
- Working with local or regional partners to access markets
- Assessing platforms that offer access to the under-tapped emerging markets of the Middle East
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17:00 |
Trading Technology Panel Session:
Exploring Technological Development in the Region’s Markets
- Evaluating where markets would benefit from greater technology investment
- Is the model of electronic and algorithmic trading found elsewhere in the world one that will find currency in the region?
- Exploring how the market dynamics and bias of markets towards retail investment is affecting the uptake of technology
- How will the ongoing process of consolidation and collaboration between regional and global exchanges affect development in trading platforms and the deployment of advanced trading solutions?
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17:45 Chairman’s Summation
18:00 Networking Reception
19:30 Gala Dinner and First Annual TradeTech Middle East Awards
TradeTech Middle East Awards |
TradeTech Middle East 2009 will recognise the region’s leading buy and sell side institutions and individuals as well as the most innovative products, platforms and vendor solutions.
TradeTech awards honour the achievements of those who have helped move markets forwards, and are recognized throughout North America, Europe and Asia as a supreme accolade within the trading community.
Award categories and judging criteria will be announced shortly. To nominate an individual or an institution for an award contact simon.conyers@wbr.ae
For information on sponsoring an award contact pete.mitchell@wbr.ae |
Main Conference Day 2
Critical Buy Side Insights for Markets in the Middle East
09:00 Chairman’s opening remarks
09:10 Keynote Buy Side Panel:
Assessing the Needs of the Local and International Buy Side and Evaluating Sell side solutions
- What technology, tools and functionality to traders in the region need on desk and how are those needs being met in the market?
- Evaluating brokers – is there sufficient competition in the market and how are brokers differentiating themselves?
- Assessing the costs and benefits of using local or international trading partners
- Accessing market data and information – to what extent are the buy side able to obtain the data they need?
- How are local buy side being affected by the influx of foreign institutions?
10:00 Panel Session:
Tailoring your Strategy or Offering to Account for Market Dynamics in the Region – The Impact of the Retail and Private Investor
- Exploring the differences between markets dominated by retail / private investment and those mostly populated with institutions – implications for the buy and sell side.
- Assessing the differences between retail and institutional investors and how each should tailor a strategy to account for the other
- Examining how the sell side market reflects buy side composition, and how vendors and solution providers are tailoring offerings to the region
- Projecting the trend – what will be the long term impact on market composition and dynamics as more institutions turn to trading Middle East markets? What will happen to the retail and private investment market?
10:50 Morning refreshments
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Stream A
Focus – Equity Trading Throughout the Region |
Stream B
Trading Other Asset Classes – A Portfolio Approach to Trading Middle East Markets |
11:30 |
Managing Liquidity across a fragmented marketplace
- Assessing liquidity sources and the impact of institutions such as sovereign wealth funds
- Accessing liquidity across the region’s markets to bring flexibility to your trading strategy
- Evaluating the impact of foreign investors and global market conditions on liquidity throughout the region – are there strategies that can successfully compensate for this?
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Investigating Multi-Asset Class Trading Strategies and Platforms for Implementing them
- Exploring mutli-asset class strategies in the context of regional and global market volatility
- Assessing the benefits of platforms offering trading across asset classes
- Identifying the functionality required for a multi-asset class platform
- Managing risk across markets
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12:00 |
Risk Management and Hedging Successfully in Volatile Markets
- Lessons learned from previous market downturns and periods of volatility – what has worked in the past and are these approaches still valid?
- Exploring tools for risk management and their applications in volatile markets
- Hedging using derivative instruments and exploring the potential of other markets
- Short term and long term views on volatility in the region
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Bonds and Sukuk – Towards a Liquid Secondary Market
- Assessing the depth and growth potential of the bond market in the region
- Ascertaining the liquidity of the bond market and implications for strategy
- Exploring the role of Sukuk in local markets
- The flight to safety when markets turn volatile – how are bond markets impacted?
- Evaluating bond trading strategies
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12:30 |
Capitalizing on Market Volatility – Strategies to Exploit Market Movements
- Determining the true causes of volatility on the region’s borses
- Understanding how investors can cope with volatility
- Trading strategies that can be employed to guard against downside volatility
- Examining cross asset class strategies as a solution
- Using derivatives and short selling
- Value investing – capitalizing in market sentiment to boost portfolio value
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Integrating Equity Derivatives to an Equity Trading Strategy as a Tool for Speculation and Hedging
- Exploring the availability of and appetite for equity derivatives across the region
- Identifying the additional functionality needed at your trading desk for derivatives trading
- When and how to employ derivative instruments in your strategy
- Successfully managing risk with derivatives
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13:00 |
Networking Lunch |
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Stream A continued
Focus – Equity Trading Throughout the Region |
Stream B continued
Trading Other Asset Classes – A Portfolio Approach to Trading Middle East Markets |
14:00 |
Optimising Order Management, Execution and Processing
- Ensuring the essentials in your trading system – reliability, flexibility, cost efficiency
- Managing order flow and executing advanced trading strategies – which systems work best for traders and brokers?
- Accessing and managing price data and market information through
- Automating relationships with brokers – benefits for the buy and sell side
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Trading Commodities Through Futures and Options on Local Exchanges
- Using simple derivatives to tap the wealth of regional and global commodities markets
- Accessing and trading commodities derivatives – exploring the exchange landscape
- Integrating commodities trading to a wider portfolio trading strategy
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14:30 |
The Future Of Clearing And Settlement
- Reducing costs, increasing economies of scale and creating efficient markets
- What is in the regulatory pipeline?
- Adding value to client service with a fully integrated sales process through front, middle and back office
- Global custodians and their role in the Middle East
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Speculating in FX – Electronic Trading of the World’s Currency Markets
- Reviewing the state of the world’s currency markets – are there opportunities for institutional traders?
- An outlook for currency markets in 2009
- Assessing the available platforms for trading forex
- FX trades for hedging and speculation
- Exploiting technology for electronic forex market trading
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15:00 Afternoon Refreshments
16:00 Panel Session:
Forecasting the Future of Middle East Markets – What next for The Region?
- How far are markets here from seeing the initiatives taking place elsewhere in the world – true electronic and algorithmic trading, dark pools of liquidity, alternative execution venues, etc.?
- Does the Middle East need to develop in line with other global markets or is there another direction for the region?
- What are likely to be the first steps and from where in the industry will the drive for change come from?
16:50 Chairman’s Closing Remarks
17:00 End of Conference
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