The ninth annual Hedge Funds World Middle East Conference in Dubai is set to woo leaders from the industry.

The event, to be be held at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel from March 3-6, 2008, will feature many of the best informed, most highly regarded figures in today’s worldwide industry, the organiser said in a statement.

They include hedge fund strategist, writer and guru Barton Biggs and Peter Clarke, CEO of Man Group, the world’s biggest provider of hedge fund investment products, it added.

A highlight will be the Second Annual Hedge Funds World Middle East Awards Ceremony on March 4, presented by Man Investments and Terrapinn.

The awards recognise excellence and innovation in the Middle East hedge fund industry and promote the asset class in the region. Finalists for the awards are listed below.

Man Investments, one of the world’s leading providers of alternative investments, is once again a principal sponsor of the event.

A special highlight at the conference will be the welcome address by Dubai International Financial Centre Authority CEO Nasser Al Shaali.

Keynote speakers include industry leaders lke Sindo Oliveros, director of Pension Plan and Endowments, the World Bank Pension Fund; Ronald A. Rolighed, Managing Director, Harris Alternatives LLC; Ikho Suh, Head of Investment Strategy, Korea Investment Corporation; Christopher Durand, Head of Alternative Investments, Abu Dhabi Investment Company; Dr Mehraj Mattoo, Global Head of Commerzbank Alternative Investment Strategies; Ann Thivierge, MD and Head of Active International Allocation Strategy, Morgan Stanley; and Dr Susgil Wadhwani, CBE, CEO, Wadhwani Asset Management.

“The hedge fund industry has made big advances in the region in recent years, offering investors wider choices and a range of new opportunities. At this event, we will again recognise this progress and promote it through the Hedge Funds World Middle East Awards,” said Man Investments Middle East Limited Chief Executive Antoine Massad, who is chairing the event

Finalists for the Second Annual Hedge Fund World Middle East Awards are:

Best Institutional Hedge Fund Manager
Dawnay Day Milroy
Investcorp
Marco Polo Pure Asset Management
Pioneer Alternative Investments
Stenham Advisors

Best Fund of Fund
Dawnay Day Milroy
GAM
Global Investment House
Harris Alternatives
Rasmala
Pioneer Alternative Investments
Societe Generale Asset Management
Stenham Advisors

Most Innovative Project
Erste Bank
FIMAT
HFIM
Rasmala
Reech AiM
Shariah Capital

 
Best Newcomer
CapIntro Partners
Dawnay Day Milroy
EFG Hermes
HFIM

Best Hedge Fund Administrator
Apex Fund Services
Citco Fund Services
Equity Fund Services
HSBC AFS

Best New Fund
Blackrock
EFG Hermes
Investcorp
Rasmala
Reech AiM
Shariah Capital

Best Retail Product Provider
Castlestone Management
Dawnay Day Milroy
Erste Bank
SGAM Alternative Investments

- TradeArabia News Service