Global and Regional Business Leaders Gather in Dubai As DIFC Week Begins Today (23 November)

HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman.

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Leaders of the business world will spend the next four days debating the key issues faced by businesses in the region, the impact of the current financial turmoil and the ability of the Middle East region to manage the implications and opportunities for the future at DIFC Week, the Dubai International Financial Centre's (DIFC)Dubai International Financial Centre's (DIFC) prestigious annual programme of conferences. Running from 23 to 26 November, DIFC Week consists of a Family Business Summit, a two day Forum and a Conference.

H.E. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC and Vice Chairman of the UAE Central Bank said "DIFC Week could not come at a more relevant time. With the current financial crisis, it is crucial that we bring together the top figures in business and finance to share their perspectives on how best to manage the challenges faced by this region and the opportunities that will arise in the future. DIFC Week provides the perfect platform to do this and I am certain it will provide valuable insights for all who attend."

Dr. Josef Ackermann, Chairman of the Management Board and the Group Executive Committee of Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank, said, "The Middle East has always played an important role on the international economic scene and its influence is set to rise as it emerges as an increasingly influential player on the financial scene as well. Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank is proud to support the DIFC Week, a forum for intellectual engagement and thought leadership that enables leading businesses in the region to debate strategies for dealing with the current crisis and to examine the opportunities that we expect to arise over the next 12 to 18 months. "

H.E. Mohamed Alabbar, Member, Dubai Executive Council and Chairman, Emaar Properties, who will deliver the keynote address on Monday morning, said "Dubai is not immune to the problems caused by the global financial crisis but this region is better placed than most to deal with the issues arising. What is clear is that, for those who can make a strong and speedy recovery, there will be an abundance of opportunities for investment and growth"

With over 70 speakers from the world's major international markets, 21 separate sessions, and a televised debate on how to get confidence back in the global financial markets, DIFC Week will address the most important issues faced by businesses in the region both in the current financial climate and in the future. Topics to be discussed at the four-day event include growth strategies, opportunities and major challenges for family businesses both locally and internationally, the economic outlook for the world and the GCC in 2009, attracting foreign investment and human capital in the Arab world, and the practicalities of establishing operations in Dubai.

Also part of DIFC Week is the DIFC Forum, to be held from 24 to 25 November. H.E. Mohamed Alabbar will open the Forum in his first major public address as the head of the high-level committee set up to help manage the impact of the global financial turmoil on Dubai. In addition, highly interactive sessions will look at critical issues like the next generation of Islamic Finance, emerging markets in and after the financial crisis, and energy geopolitics in an era of structural change. One of the highlights of the Forum is a session titled "Get Confidence Back' moderated by Maria Bartiromo, Anchor, CNBC.

Key speakers at DIFC Week include:

• Dr. Josef Ackermann, Chairman of the Management Board and the Group Executive Committee, Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank AG
• H.E. Mohamed Alabbar, Member, Dubai Executive Council and Chairman, Emaar Properties
• HRH Prince Mohammed K A Al Faisal, President and CEO of the Al Faisaliah Group Holding
• Nasser Al Sheikh, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Finance
• HRH Nazrin Shah, Crown Prince of Perak State Malaysia;
• Sameer Al Ansari, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive of Dubai International Capital LLC
• Peter Oppenheimer, Partner and Global Strategist at Goldman Sachs
• Professor K.C. Chan, Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
• Raja Sidawi, Chairman, Energy Intelligence
• Dr. Kevin W. Lu, Director and Chief Financial Officer, Multilateral Investment Agency, The World Bank Group
• Maria Bartiromo, Anchor, CNBC
• Victor Chu, Chairman, First Eastern Investment Bank Limited

Closing DIFC Week will be a Conference on 26 November titled: 'The Inside Track on Dubai', which will involve a series of commercial, regulatory and teaching streams that discuss the practicalities of establishing operations in Dubai covering issues such as raising capital and understanding cultural aspects of living and working in the Emirate.

DIFC Week acknowledges with gratitude the enthusiastic support of its two Platinum Sponsors, Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank and Abraaj Capital; its Sponsors, Itau Securities and Goldman Sachs; and all the other supporting institutions.

The DIFC Week Conference is sponsored by Alvarez & Marsal, Conyers, Dill & Pearman, Emirates NBD, Grant Thornton, HAYS, International Compliance Training (ICT) Middle East, Kershaw LeonardKershaw Leonard, Latham and WatkinsLatham and Watkins, M: Communications, Norton Rose and Union Properties while the DIFC Week Gala Networking Reception is sponsored by SungardThe DIFC Summit is run in association with the Tharawat Family Business Forum.

DIFC Week is also grateful for the active support and involvement of its Knowledge Partners who include Al Tamimi & Company, British Business Group, DIFC Centre of Excellence, Oxford Analytica, Simmons & Simmons, Young Arab Leaders, and DNM connect; its Media Partners which are, AME Info, Arabian Business,, Al Arabiya News Channel, CNBC, Dow Jones, Dubai Eye, Financial News, The Times, The Sunday Times, SAB Media, The Wall Street Journal, Oxford Business Group and Zawya; as well as DIFC Week's Joint Marketing Partner, Dubai Corporate Counsel Group..

The DIFC Week Golf Championships held ahead of the business conferences gave an invaluable opportunity to the delegates at DIFC Week and partners of DIFC week to network and interact with each other. In addition, DIFC Week also expresses its appreciation to Itau Securities, the Sponsors of the DIFC Week Golf Championships.

To register or find out more information about the Summit, Forum and Conference taking place at DIFC Week, visit www.difcweek.ae

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About the DIFC:
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an onshore hub for global finance. It bridges the time gap between the financial centres of Hong Kong and London and services a region with the largest untapped emerging market for financial services. In just four years, over 750 firms have registered at the DIFC. They operate in an open environment complemented with world-class regulations and standards. The DIFC offers its member institutions incentives such as 100 per cent foreign ownership, zero tax on income and profits and no restrictions on foreign exchange. In addition their business benefits from modern infrastructure, operational support and business continuity facilities of uncompromisingly high standards. (www.difc.ae)

DIFC Week is sponsored by Tharawat, the Arab family business network, Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank and Abraaj Capital.

About Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank:
Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. A leader in Germany and Europe, the bank is continuously growing in North America, Asia and key emerging markets. With 81,308 employees in 75 countries, Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank offers unparalleled financial services throughout the world. The bank competes to be the leading global provider of financial solutions for demanding clients creating exceptional value for its shareholders and people.

Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank's commitment in the MENA region is more than a century old, beginning with the Bank's financing of the construction of the Baghdad railway. Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank opened its first office in Cairo in 1959, followed in the early seventies by an office in Bahrain. In 1999, Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank embarked on a regional expansion drive across the GCC which began with the opening of an office in the UAE's Capital Abu Dhabi in 1999, followed by two offices in Dubai: a representative office inaugurated in 2001 and a branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in 2005. In April of 2006, Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank opened a branch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the capital Riyadh. In November of 2007, Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank opened its branch in the Qatar Financial Centre in Doha. Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank AG in the MENA region offers the full range of investment banking, asset management; private wealth management; and global transaction banking services. Deutsche BankDeutsche Bank AG is well recognized for its leading role on some of the most prestigious regional transactions. The Bank is the recipient of several regional and international awards in recognition for its achievements in investment banking and Islamic finance in the region.

www.db.com / http://www.db.com/mena/

About Abraaj Capital:
Dubai-based Abraaj Capital is the largest private equity company in the Middle East and North Africa with more than US$ 7.5 billion of assets under management. Established in 2002, the company has led the way in developing the private equity industry in the region. Abraaj Capital Ltd. is licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority, which operates according to international regulatory standards. The company's more than 165 'best in class' employees are drawn from the global talent pool, and span more than two dozen nationalities. Abraaj Capital invests in the growing Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region and has executed some of its landmark deals. These include the US$ 1.41 billion purchase in 2007 of Egyptian Fertilizers Company, the largest leveraged buy-out in MENA. Abraaj Capital has won several industry awards, including 'Middle Eastern Private Equity Firm of the Year' from Private Equity International (2005, 2006 & 2007). On average, Internal Rates of Return exceed 50 percent.

About Tharawat Family Business Forum:
The Tharawat Family Business Forum is a network of family-owned enterprises in the Arab World. The organisation provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences on business and management issues related to family businesses in the Arab world. Tharawat's vision is to become the first-choice networking and mutual-assistance forum for family businesses in the Arab world. Through its network of members, Tharawat aims to encourage collaboration and alliances among family-owned and controlled firms in the region. It provides its members specialised education and helps them leverage business opportunities in the region and beyond. The forum seeks to bring a new focus on the business, social and cultural challenges facing family firms in the region. It promotes and sponsors research that helps advance the sustainable development of family businesses. It also works to raise public awareness of new developments within the family business sector. The Tharawat Family Business Forum has a governance structure designed to guarantee the transparency of its activities and its receptivity to high-quality inputs from both members and external experts. The members of Tharawat constitute an innovative and committed community of family-owned businesses, working together to improve collaboration, business growth, and prosperity.

Media enquiries:
Amira Abdulla
Director- Regional Public Relations
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971 4 362 2433
E-mail: amira.abdulla@difc.ae

Shaima Al Zarouni
Assistant PR Manager
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971 4 362 2432
E-mail: shaima.alzarouni@difc.ae

Iman Ahmad
Regional Media Relations Manager
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971 50 2058021
E-mail: iman.ahmad@difc.ae

© Press Release 2008