New Strategies for New Economic Realities

Transcription

1 16 th Annual 6, 7 & 8 December 2009, Gulf Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain Keynote Speakers at WIBC 2009 H.E. Rasheed M. Al Maraj Governor The Central Bank of Bahrain H.E. Heng Swee Keat Governor Monetary Authority of Singapore H.E. Aset O. Issekeshev Minister of Industry and Trade Kazakhstan Prof. Nassim Nicholas Taleb Author The Black Swan H. E. Khaled Mohammed Al-Aboodi & General Manager The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, the private sector arm of the IDB Group, Saudi Arabia New Strategies for New Economic Realities 1,200 market leaders. 50+ countries. 1 Gathering: WIBC Supported by Bahrain Pavilion Hosted by Multilateral Strategic WIBC: The World s Largest Gathering of Islamic Finance Leaders To participate in this prestigious event contact: sophie@megaevents.net t: f: P.O. Box 72045, Dubai

2 Highlights at WIBC 2009 Keynote Plenary Address: Debt and Black Swans by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Nassim N. Taleb, known for predicting the current crisis, is a combination of a literary essayist, scholar of randomness, writer of philosophical tales, and former derivatives trader. He is known for a multidisciplinary approach to the role of the high-impact rare event across psychology, social science, philosophy, finance, engineering and history. His books have more than 2.5 million copies in print. His work has been translated into 31 languages. Taleb holds the title of Distinguished Professor in Risk Engineering at New York University. He is currently the principal of Universa Investments L.P. Prof. Taleb has an MBA from Wharton and a PhD from the University of Paris. The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable Nassim Nicholas Taleb Author The Black Swan Globalization creates interlocking fragility, while reducing volatility and giving the appearance of stability. In other words it creates devastating Black Swans. We have never lived before under the threat of a global collapse. Financial Institutions have been merging into a smaller number of very large banks. Almost all banks are interrelated. So the financial ecology is swelling into gigantic, incestuous, bureaucratic banks when one fails, they all fall. The increased concentration among banks seems to have the effect of making financial crises less likely, but when they happen they are more global in scale and hit us very hard. We have moved from a diversified ecology of small banks, with varied lending policies, to a more homogeneous framework of firms that all resemble one another. True, we now have fewer failures, but when they occur.i shiver at the thought. International Industry Awards To recognize and appreciate market leading initiatives and outstanding achievements in the global Islamic finance industry, the World Islamic Banking Conference features three prestigious and high profile awards: The WIBC Islamic Banker of the Year Award One of the oldest and the most prestigious internationally acclaimed award in the industry, the WIBC Islamic Banker of the Year Award, for more than 16 years has recognised ground-breaking achievements by executive leaders of the international industry. Key criteria include leading the launch of a major new institution; bringing to market innovative products or services thereby substantially growing their organization; or putting together a substantial wholesale Islamic financial transaction that stands out either due to its size, international involvement and/or complexity. The award uses a unique peerbased voting system to identify the winner each year, with voting forms sent out to renowned figures from within the industry, and the results are audited by Ernst & Young, the official award auditors. The WIBC Industry Leadership Award Given in recognition of an individual s outstanding contribution to the Islamic banking & finance industry, this award is presented to an industry figure demonstrating strong leadership qualities & long term strategic impact over the industry. The WIBC Institutional Excellence Award This award was established in 2004 and is presented to an Islamic banking & finance institution that has excelled in key performance criteria. To register for The Black Swan Keynote Session contact: andrew@megaevents.net MEGA BRANDS. MEGA CLIENTS. MARKET LEADERS. MEGA is the market leading business information firm focused on achieving business results for the global Islamic banking & finance industry since The portfolio of MEGA brands represents the landmark industry conferences and our clients are the leading players in the international financial markets. The WIBC Competitiveness Report 2009/10 A critical reference source for industry decision makers, providing strategic insights from McKinsey & Company. The WIBC Competitiveness Report has over the last 6 years become an indispensable reference resource for the industry decision-makers. The analysis and insights provided in this year s report will be even more critical as it comes at a juncture when the industry is facing tremendous challenges due to the on-going turbulence in the international financial markets. The eagerly anticipated report will reflect detailed research focused on raising the bar of financial performance and strategic excellence in the industry as well as point towards key directions emerging in the post-crisis landscape.

3 Join the Market Leaders at WIBC 2009 Platinum Strategic s Platinum & Transaction Banking Platinum Strategic s Strategic Exchange Innovation Knowledge Strategic Islamic Finance Administration Islamic Financial Services Associate & Award Auditor Investment Management Showcasing Wholesale Banking Gala Dinner & Award Ceremony Host UK Pavilion Hosted by WIBC Hosted by Gold Strategic s Gold Strategic & Refreshment Break Host Index Information Intelligence Gold Securities Ratings Strategic Associate Islamic Leasing Asset Management Conference Luncheon Host Day 2 Silver Strategic s Shari ah Advisory Associate Bronze s VIP Networking Host Islamic Ratings Workshop Hosted by Strategy Consulting & Research Pre Dinner Reception Host Lanyard Sponsor Delegate Badge Sponsor Corporate Exhibitors Join the Market Leaders: Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities at WIBC 2009 The 16th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference will provide unrivalled high-impact brand visibility and ensure that you are at the forefront of shaping the future of the global Islamic finance market. WIBC 2009 also presents a unique opportunity to nurture key client relationships in a substantive and issues-driven programme. To discuss your specific business needs, please contact Sophie Shah at sophie@megaevents.net New Insights to Shape the Future: Special Group Delegate Packages More than 1,200 industry leaders will gather at WIBC Take advantage of the special Group Delegate packages to send your executive team to participate in the 16th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference. To receive further details on attending the 16th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference please Andrew Chopra at andrew@megaevents.net WIBC: The World s Largest Gathering of Islamic Finance Leaders

4 Pre-Conference Workshops: Sunday 6th December 2009 WIBC 2009 Agenda Morning Parallel Session to Robust Standards for Islamic Financial Markets: Led by The International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) Registration and Refreshments Welcome Address Khalid Hamad Executive Director - Banking Supervision The Central Bank of Bahrain & Chairman, IIFM Special Address: Islamic Financial Services Industry Latest Developments & Future Direction Dr. Ahmad Jachi, Ex-First Vice Governor, Banque Du Liban & Chairman-Islamic Finance, Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) Introduction to IIFM Ijlal Ahmed Alvi, IIFM Financial Crisis & Islamic Capital & Money Market (ICMM) Discoveries & Required Legal, Shariah and Structuring Adjustments to Sukuk Mr. Naveed Khan, Managing Director, ABC Islamic Bank Shaikh Essam Ishaq, Shari a Scholar Refreshment & Networking Break Standardization of Documentation, Products and Practices in Islamic Finance Moderator Mr. Simon Eedle, Global Head Islamic Banking, Calyon & Vice Chairman of IIFM Mr. Pervez Said, Director/Advisor, Islamic Banking Dept State Bank of Pakistan Mr. Safdar Alam, Executive Director, Head of Islamic Structuring JP Morgan Mr. Mohamed Omarah, Head of Legal, Calyon Gulf Dr. Burhan Arbouna, EVP-Head of Shari a Compliance Al Salam Bank IIFM Contribution Towards Unification What next after the Master Treasury and Hedging Agreements Moderator Mr. Afaq Khan,, Standard Chartered Saadiq Mr. Lilian Le Falher, Executive Manager-Treasury, Financial Institutions, Syndications & Asset Management, KFH Bahrain Qudeer Latif, -Head of Islamic Finance, Clifford Chance Interactive discussion between panelists and participants Pre-Conference Day Luncheon Morning Parallel Session to Marketing Strategies for Islamic Financial Institutions Led by MTI Consulting Hilmy Cader,, MTI Consulting to Registration and Refreshments to Welcome Address to Introduction to MTI to Workshop on Marketing Strategies for Islamic Financial Institutions to Refreshment & Networking Break to Workshop on Marketing Strategies for Islamic Financial Institutions to Interactive discussion between panelists and participants to Pre-Conference Day Luncheon OR to Liability Management: Challenges & Opportunities - Led by Deutsche Bank to Registration and Refreshments to Welcome Address to Restructuring The Financial Adviser s Perspective Aman Sheikh, Executive Director, Head of Structuring & Securitisation, ABC Islamic Bank to Restructuring The Legal Perspective Farmida Bi,, Norton Rose to Restructuring The Agent s Perspective Miriam Keeler, Vice President, Deutsche Bank to Refreshment & Networking Break to Panel Discussion: Restructuring - the stakeholders discussion Moderator: Jason Connery Director, Deutsche Bank Farmida Bi,, Norton Rose Aman Sheik, Executive Director, Head of Structuring & Securitisation, ABC Islamic Bank Andrew Leamon, Director, Head of Trusts & Securities Services Sales, MENA Deutsche Bank to Audience Q&A to Pre-Conference Day Luncheon Afternoon Parallel Session to Ratings Workshop Led by The Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA): to Base Metal Warrants in Islamic finance Led by Bahrain Financial Exchange Jamal Abbas Zaidi,, IIRA J. M. McMullen, Senior Vice President, IIRA Nasir Ali Merchant, Vice President, IIRA Hussain Yusuf, Senior Financial Analyst- Marketing, IIRA to Registration to Introduction to Ratings: Functions and History to Rating Agencies and the Subprime Crisis; Investors Choice? to Ratings in Emerging Markets to Islamic International Rating Agency to Refreshment & Networking Break to Key Analytical Approaches to Different Types of Ratings to IIRA s Rating Process, Q&A Close of Pre-Conference Day OR Simone Carminati, Senior Vice President and Head of Training, Bahrain Financial Exchange (BFX) to Registration to Introduction to BFX to The International Warrant Markets Prices and Premiums Transferability and Changes of Title to Refreshment & Networking Break to How Warrants are Used in Islamic Finance Structures Close of Pre-Conference Day

5 Conference Day 1: Monday 7th December to Registration and Refreshments Opening of the 16th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference to Reading from the Holy Q uran to Moderator s Welcome & Opening Remarks Moderator: Darren Jordon Senior Presenter Al Jazeera English to Session 1: Inaugural Plenary Session: Regulatory Perspectives H.E. Rasheed M. Al Maraj Governor The Central Bank of Bahrain H.E. Heng Swee Keat Governor Monetary Authority of Singapore H.E. Aset O. Issekeshev Minister of Industry and Trade Kazakhstan H. E. Khaled Mohammed Al-Aboodi The CEO & General Manager The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, the private sector arm of the IDB Group, Saudi Arabia to Session 2: Keynote Plenary Session: Industry Leaders Perspectives Re-Thinking Growth Strategies in the Context of the Global Economic Crisis Steve Donovan Managing Director & Head of the Middle East Citigroup Ahmed Fahour Gulf Finance House Dr. Salah Addeen A Qader Saeed General Manager - Credit & Risk Management Bahrain Islamic Bank Dr. Montassar BenMrad Executive - Leader Financial Services Sector MENA IBM Global Business Services What are the new business strategies for the new economic realities? What are the risks to ongoing industry success in the context of the turmoil in the international financial markets? Diversifying the revenue base of Islamic financial institutions Is the market ready for consolidation? to The World Islamic Banking Exhibition Official Opening & Refreshment Break to Session 3: The Launch of the WIBC Competitiveness Report 2009/10: Conducted by McKinsey & Company Ozgur Tanrikulu (Principal) McKinsey & Company This session provides an interactive opportunity to debate the key findings of the research programme and assess the feedback of leading CEOs. Update on the competitive performance of leading Islamic banks What are the new strategies in the context of the global economic crisis? Industry CEOs response to the Report Findings Parallel Session (11.05 to 12.00) Session 4: UKTI Roundtable Islamic Finance in the New Economic Landscape UK Perspectives on Development, Growth and the Future Outlook Moderator: Nima Abu Wardeh BBC Middle East Business Report Humphrey Percy Bank of London and the Middle East Darshan Bijur Director - Islamic Finance Advisory KPMG Gillian Walmsley Product Manager Debt & Specialist Securities London Stock Exchange Richard Thomas Gatehouse Bank Muneer Khan & Head of Islamic Finance Simmons & Simmons How has the global financial crisis tested the Islamic finance model? How do we exploit the differences and create better alternative financing solutions? What can be done to ensure greater investor protection? Has the market for opportunity shrunk or seized up completely, what lies untapped? Have we moved from niche to mainstream and opened new doors to global partnership? to Session 5: Controversies in Islamic Finance: Lessons Learnt? Sameer Abdi Advisory Ernst & Young Bahrain Mike R Hughes Head of Global Transaction Banking, MENA Deutsche Bank Neale Downes Trowers & Hamlins to Session 6: Defining the Next Stage of Evolution: Taking Islamic Finance From 1.0 to 2.0 Rushdi Siddiqui Global Head of Islamic Finance Thomson Reuters Jacques Tripon BNP Paribas Najmah (Islamic Banking) Richard Thomas Gatehouse Bank Arif Mohammed Al Alawi Founder & Tharawat Investment House Craig Hewett Chief Business Officer Bahrain Financial Exchange (BFX) Beyond the crisis: How will the industry evolve? The need for global connectivity in Islamic finance The need for stress testing in Islamic finance Re-thinking the business model and value proposition Product innovation and the next generation of Islamic finance solutions to Session 7: The Shari ah & Business Open Forum: Addressing Key Shari ah Challenges Abradat Kamalpour International Finance, London Ashurst, LLP Sheikh Nizam Yaquby Shari ah Scholar Dr. Osaid Al-Kilani EVP - Global Head of Shari ah Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Dr. Aznan Hasan Shari ah Advisor International Islamic University, Bursa Malaysia Towards consistency of Shari ah interpretation: What needs to be done to promote harmonisation of Shari ah rulings across all markets? Shari ah Ruling Models Central or individual approvals? Shari ah Boards: Assessing independence, confidentiality and consistency to Conference Luncheon hosted by the Central Bank of Bahrain to Session 8 A: Special Research Presentation: The Future of Islamic Banking and Finance Speaker: Dr. Abdul Bari Mashal General Manger RAQABA L.T.D. for Islamic Financial Consultation WIBC 2009 Agenda WIBC: The World s Largest Gathering of Islamic Finance Leaders

6 Parallel Session to Session 8 B: Meet the Experts - Interactive Networking Roundtables A forum for open debate and discussion with delegates about the central themes emerging from the conference, hosted by UKTI. Delegates are able to exchange their views and table their questions directly with leading Islamic finance advisors from the UK and their global partners from leading Islamic finance centres. Delegates can address experts about issues regarding: Richard Stockdale CISI Board Member and President of CISI UAE Regional Committee Chief Executive QCo Holdings Farmida Bi Norton Rose LLP Neil D Miller, Global Head of Islamic Finance Norton Rose Farrukh Raza Managing Director IFAAS Paul Ratman Chief Operating Officer DDCAP Muneer Khan, Head of Islamic Finance Simmons & Simmons Legal & Regulation Corporate Governance Regional ships & Cooperation Education, Qualifications & Training Risk Management and Advisory Standardisation of Shari ah Principles Access to Capital Islamic Banking Systems Technology and Infrastructure to Session 8 C: Women in Islamic Finance hosted by Norton Rose An informal Networking for women who are active in the Islamic finance sector to enjoy a cup of tea while networking after the last session of the first day Pre- Dinner Reception hosted By CIMA Gala Dinner & International Industry Awards Ceremony hosted by NCB CAPITAL Close of Day 1 Conference Day 2: Tuesday 8th December to Morning Refreshments to Moderator s Opening Remarks to Session 9: Opening Session: Strengthening the Regulatory Framework: Restoring Confidence in the International Financial Markets Khalid Abdul-Rahman Hamad Executive Director - Banking Supervision Central Bank of Bahrain Mahnaz Bahrami Director of Banking Studies and Regulations Department Central Bank of Iran Heiko Hesse Economist International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resilience: How have Islamic financial institutions fared in the context of the global economic crisis? What is the soundness of the Islamic banking industry compared to the conventional banking industry? Restoring financial stability - Towards more proactive regulation Identifying and managing the major risks to ongoing success: Regulatory frameworks to enable sustainable growth in the Islamic banking industry International initiatives for more effective Islamic finance regulation and supervision to Session 10: Keynote Plenary: Shifting Paradigms Beyond the Crisis Restoring Stability in the Global Financial System and Implications for Islamic Banks (09.45 to 09.55) Speaker: Harris Irfan Head of Islamic Products Barclays Capital (09.55 to 10.40) Debt and Black Swans Moderator s Opening Remarks Moderator: Robin Wigglesworth Gulf Correspondent Financial Times Speaker: Prof. Nassim Nicholas Taleb Author The Black Swan (10.40 to ) Prof Taleb interviewed by Robin Wigglesworth, with interactive audience Q&A Beyond the crisis: How can stability be restored in the international financial markets? What will be the business reality of the crisis aftermath? Resilience of the system in term of crisis: What has protected the Islamic finance model? Beyond the cycle: Building and maintaining competitive advantage for long-term success What are the new winning business strategies for Islamic banks in the aftermath of the global financial crisis? Lessons learned to The World Islamic Banking Exhibition Viewing & Refreshment Break to Session 11: The Islamic Corporate & Investment Banking Summit: Shifting Gears New Strategies for a New Business Landscape Malik Sarwar Wealth Management Executive Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Dr Jarmo T. Kotilaine Chief Economist NCB Capital Tariq Al-Rifai Director - Islamic Market Indexes Dow Jones Indexes Assessing the impact of the global financial crisis on the Islamic investment banking industry What will the Islamic wholesale banking industry look like in the aftermath of the global financial crisis? The role of the Index in Islamic Investments The outlook of Islamic Wealth Management Islamic Asset Management: Challenges & Opportunities to Session 12: Pointing the Way Forward for Sukuk Samad Sirohey CEO - Citi Islamic Investment Bank & Managing Director - MENA Debt Markets Citigroup Dr. Jamil Jaroudi Elaf Bank Dr. Mohamed Damak Associate Standard & Poor s Jawad Ali King & Spalding Douglas Johnson Codexa Capital - Calyx Asset Management Assessing the way forward for Sukuk: How can the market be revitalised? Overcoming the factors hampering Sukuk growth New Sukuk transaction and trends to Session 13: The Islamic Retail Banking Summit: Navigating Through the International Financial Crisis - The Outlook for the Consumer Banking Market Grant Collins Senior Managing Director Dubai Commodity Asset Management (DCAM) Asim Khan Executive Director Dar Al Istithmar WIBC 2009 Agenda Assessing the current position and future prospects of the Islamic consumer banking market

7 The outlook for future growth How to navigate through challenging times From the emerging to the consolidation phase of development for Islamic consumer banking Driving renewed growth through new retail product innovation to Session 14: Country Focus Roundtable: Exploring New International Growth Markets for Islamic Finance A Roundtable debate featuring a panel of international experts representing exciting new growth markets for Islamic financial services, with a special focus on: Bahrain, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, India and China. Alberto Brugnoni President ASSAIF Samer Taki Senior Vice President of Wealth Management The Islamic Bank of Asia, Singapore Ali Abbas Zaidi Head of Islamic Market Maybank Investment Bank, Malaysia Christina Tung Managing Director Mayfair Pacific, China (Hong Kong) Thomas Gierath National Dechert LLP Reuben Buttigieg Chairperson Malta Institute of Management Neil D Miller, Global Head of Islamic Finance Norton Rose LLP Examining the appetite and potential for Islamic finance in non-islamic countries What initiatives are underway in key emerging markets for Islamic finance? Key insights into new developments in Islamic banking in Bahrain, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, India and China to Moderator s Closing Remarks to Conference Luncheon hosted by PROFILE Close of the 16th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference The World Comes to WIBC 2009 Britain Comes to WIBC The UK Pavilion A part of the World Comes to WIBC Initiative Hosted by Bahrain Pavilion Hosted by WIBC The Governor of Singapore s Central Bank and his officials are proud to host Singapore@WIBC - a showcase of Singapore s financial sector and developments in Islamic finance - at WIBC 2009 What the Market Leaders are Saying About WIBC 2009 As the Islamic Development Bank Group is the leading multilateral organization in the Islamic world, it is always keen to support the leading events, not only in its territories of operation but also across the rest of the world. Its aim is to foster the formation of new policies and strategies related to any economic activities through supreme convergence of policy makers and leading industry players who positively contribute to our member countries economic growth. There is no doubt that the 16th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference is one of those highly distinguished events. It is an event that gathers Islamic finance industry leaders annually to achieve new leaps in the Islamic banking industry worldwide. This is the reason why the IDB Group envisaged the importance of becoming the Multilateral Strategic of WIBC and confident that this year s event will be even more important as the industry moves to its next stage of achievements. H. E. Mr. Khalid M. Al-Aboodi & General Manager The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, the private sector arm of the IDB Group, Saudi Arabia At GFH, we believe Islamic banking has a big future and not just in traditional markets but on the global stage. The World Islamic Banking Conference is a key player in stimulating debate and tackling the issues the industry will face in the years ahead. Ahmed Fahour Gulf Finance House It is heartening to experience the vibrancy and sustained growth that our industry, Islamic Banking, has seen over the last few years. I am impressed most by the upbeat stance of the entire industry in face of the global economic situation in general and that of the banking sector in particular. I am also pleased that we are a Platinum Strategic of the 16th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC 2009) as it is one of the few global platforms where leading industry players converge. We expect this year s event to be a resounding success and contribute to the industry s dynamism; and to rebrand Islamic banking as the true universal banking model which promotes mutual benefit as the basis of growth and a financial eco balance as the basis of planning. Tirad Mahmoud Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Citi and the WIBC have a long standing relationship with the Middle East. By working together we believe we can share our breadth of global and local experiences with GCC businesses and provide them with a unique insight into how the investment industry is evolving, especially on the Shari a-compliance front. Steve Donovan Managing Director, Head of Middle East, Global Transaction Services Citigroup WIBC: The World s Largest Gathering of Islamic Finance Leaders

8 World Business Newspaper REGISTRATION FORM Please complete and fax back to Global Communication s Strategic Media s Strategic Broadcasting Please make the following reservations on my behalf: Standard Registration fees: Conference Only (7 & 8 Dec 09) USD 3395 Full Event (6, 7 & 8 Dec 09) USD 3595 Discounts: Five or more delegates from the same organisation - 20% discount Government delegates - 20% discount Media Media - Free upon accreditation 16 th Annual 6, 7 & 8 December 2009, Gulf Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain For registrations and group delegate packages, contact: Andrew Chopra Tel: andrew@megaevents.net Company Name: Tel: Fax: Address: Investment Community INDIVIDUAL BOOKING Online Media s Full Name: Mr/Mrs/Ms Mobile No.: Job Title: Group Booking 1 st Delegate 2 nd Delegate Mr/Mrs/ Ms Full Name Job Title Mobile No. Media Associates 3 rd Delegate 4 th Delegate 5 th Delegate THREE EASY PAYMENT METHODS For cheques and bank transfers, payments should be made within 5 days of registration. 1. Credit Card Visa Master Card Amex Diners Number: Alpha Code: Expiry Date: Amount: Card Holder s Name: Billing Address: Signature: For Amex only 2. Cheque: Send a crossed cheque payable to MEGA along with the completed registration form. 3. Bank Transfer Please remit payment to the following account: Quote Reference: C153 USD Account No.: Account Name: MEGA Swift Code: EBILAEAD Bank: Emirates Bank International, Jumeirah Branch, PO Box 11909, Dubai, UAE In the event of cancellation: Registrants who are unable to attend may send a substitute delegate at any time. No refunds can be made, although a replacement delegate is always welcome at no extra cost. Simply notify our office of the change. MEGA reserves the right to alter the programme or change the speakers in the event of unforseen circumstances. VENUE, ACCOMMODATION & VISA Venue: The Gulf International Convention Centre Gulf Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain Accommodation: Michelle Carreon Gulf Hotel, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Direct: Tel: / Fax: rgc@gulfhotelbahrain.com If you require hotel accommodation in Bahrain, please visit net/islamic_banking/venue.html for the Hotel Reservation Form with Corporate Rates. Kindly complete the form and fax back directly to the hotel on or call Michelle Carreon of Gulf Hotel directly and quote reference WIBC to access the corporate rate. Please ensure early hotel booking as large international and regional delegations will be attending the conference. Book before 1st November 2009 to take advantage of the corporate rate, after which the rooms will be subject to availability. Please complete and return to: The World Islamic Banking Conference PO Box 72045, Dubai, UAE Tel: , Fax: wibc@megaevents.net or Register Online at Visas: The Hotel will assist in obtaining visas; this may take several weeks. Participants are required to make their own Hotel room booking and visa arrangements by directly contacting the Gulf Hotel, Bahrain.