Industry leaders in the debit, credit, charge, prepaid, store and loyalty card services will be in Bahrain next month to discuss future strategies for the regional cards industry at the first regional cards forum.

The 'First GCC Cards Summit' will see experts discuss a wide array of strategic topics that address impact to bottom line performance of card businesses.

Premal Patel, executive director of Veritas investments’ and Hilmy Cader chief executive, MTI Consulting’s are the driving forces behind the conference.

“ The purpose of the GCC cards Summit is to pull together industry thought leaders to discuss, debate and develop key conclusions on the sector. The Summit will address major issues and challenges with the ultimate aim of better understanding what it will take to succeed in 2010 and beyond,” said Cader.

“The summit will act as an ideal platform for industry experts to reshape their business strategies, take away practical business solutions and vastly improve return on their marketing investments in 2010,” added Premal.

In light of the global economic crisis, the GCC like many other regions has generally taken a “let’s wait and see” approach to their business operations. However, as macroeconomic indicators begin to warm slightly, many financial service operators find themselves having missed valuable time in order to prepare for the upturn, he pointed out.

With a new paradigm upon the horizon, there could is no better time for Bahrain to host the cards summit.

The summit has attracted a strong line up of speakers including Trevor Stokes, executive director Economic Development Board; Robert Ainey, CEO Bahrain Association of Banks; Saleh Hussain, vice chairman Bahrain Association of Banks; Adnan Maskati, assistant to CEO AFS and Chris Reddish, chairman Prepaid International Forum (UK) and Joseph Meyers, chairman FirstView Financial (US).

Brian Quarrie, MD First Data; Sanjoy Sen, head of Consumer Banking Citibank (Middle East); Ian Read, MD PIC Solutions; Michael Donald, head of Cards Gulf Bank (Kuwait); Michael Walters, MD REAP Consulting; Garry Ceaplen, senior consultant International Bank of Qatar; Fintan Connolly, chief legal and Financial Officer Harbour Investments are the other speakers.

The highlights of Day 2 of the Summit are 'Master-Class session' with three experts in the field of sales and service, risk management and reputation management. The speakers will lead high impact Master-Classes to share insights, best practice and practical solutions to improve performance in these respective areas, Premal added.-TradeArabia News Service