Robert Shiller, Stanley B Resor Professor of Economics, Yale University, will open the DIFC Economic Forum - the first event of DIFC week - with his presentation of the global macroeconomic outlook for 2008.

Professor Shiller will present the themes likely to dominate global investment in the coming 12 months, including oil prices, inflation, credit markets and how changes in capital movement could affect the world financial markets, particularly in the Gulf, said a DIFC official.

His speech will be followed by a debate from panelists José Luis Escrivá, chief economist of BBVA; Han de Jong, chief economist of ABN Amro; and Eric Vergnaud, head of OECD Research for BNP Paribas; moderated by Robin Bew, editorial director and chief economist, Economist Intelligence Unit.

"I am delighted to be associated with the DIFC Economic Forum and to participate in such a significant conference about emerging markets. This is a time when the extraordinary successes of emerging markets have been driving the world economy. Yet, vulnerabilities abound. I look forward to the conference, where we can share our knowledge about the historic changes that are taking place around us," said Shiller.

The unique one-day conference, to be held on November 17, has been created by DIFC, with the support of the Economist Intelligence Unit. It is the opening event in DIFC week, a week of headline conferences, lectures and seminars for the financial sector.

The forum has been designed to provide focus, insight and direction for investors, their advisers and business partners. The forum will expose opportunities and discuss the risks in emerging markets, with emphasis on the implications for the Gulf region.

Some of the world's leading economists and emerging market specialists have already confirmed their presence. Alongside Shiller, other speakers include: Dr Mark Mobius, managing director, Franklin Templeton Investments; Dr Nasser Saidi, chief economist of DIFC Authority; David Hale, founder, Hale Advisors LLC; and Stephen Roach, chief economist, Morgan Stanley.

The forum will examine the prevalence of FDI coming from emerging market companies, particularly China, India and the Middle East, while these same markets continue to attract increasing investment from developed countries.

The DIFC Economic Forum will include both a Global Macroeconomic Outlook and the DIFC Economic Outlook for the Middle East North Africa region. The conference will feature live research and polling, and the data will be released exclusively to DIFC Economic Forum delegates in real time.- TradeArabia News Service