The world's largest mutual fund conference is coming to Bahrain next month, it was announced yesterday.

A GCC-version of the high-profile global investment event Fund Forum International will be held at the Ritz- Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa from October 29 to 31.

The event has been arranged by Bahrain Financial Services Development - part of the Economic Development Board - and conference organisers the International Centre for Business Information (ICBI), and will serve as a regional version of the renowned event held each July in Monaco.

"The Fund Forum is the most important meeting place for all the key players within the industry," said Bahrain Financial Services Development managing director Jane Dellar.

"Until now, the GCC was lacking an equivalent annual gathering, and as the epicentre of the investment industry within the region, Bahrain is the natural home for such an event.

"We are proud to be working with ICBI, the organisers of Fund Forum and to be playing host to this prestigious conference.

"Fund Forum Middle East 2007 will be an unmissable opportunity for industry professionals in the region to network with their peers from around the GCC, Europe and the rest of the world, as well as gain unrivalled insight into regional and global market trends."

A market-driven two-day main conference with speakers including CEOs and CIOs from both the global and regional investment management community, as well as representatives from buyers, will see the event coverboth conventional and Sharia investment solutions.

In addition, there will be sessions focusing specifically on opportunities in Saudi Arabia and developing a diversified product portfolio.

Business leaders from firms such as BNP Paribas, United Gulf Bank, Investcorp, Credit Suisse, Man Investments, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Mirabaud and Global Investment House are all contributing to the agenda.

The networking highlight of the event will be a gala dinner held at the Bahrain International Circuit.

"We promise an innovative and comprehensive agenda focusing on both traditional and alternative products within the mutual fund industry - all under one roof," said ICBI head of business development Edward Jones.

"This, combined with a comprehensive social and networking programme will ensure all participants will gain the maximum possible benefit from their involvement in the conference."

Under the patronage of the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Rasheed Al Maraj, the event's organisers will be holding a launch party for the event this Wednesday from 5pm until 8pm at the Ritz- Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa.

Representatives from the speaker faculty, the organisers and sponsors will be in attendance, and the event has been designed to enable those interested to come along and hear more about the conference and what it has to offer - and to register at a specially discounted rate. -TradeArabia News Service