al khaliji sponsored and Chaired M&A and Corporate Finance Advisory MENA Conference

al khaliji co-supported the event as Platinum Sponsor

Bank representatives actively took part in a number of panel discussions and debated global trends

Doha, Qatar 01 December 2011: Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) QSC, as part of its ongoing initiatives to share relevant knowledge relating to global trends in M&A/ Investment banking arena, supported the two-day 'Merger and Acquisitions, Corporate Finance and Advisory Mena Conference' as Platinum Sponsors. The event was held at Doha's Al Sharq Hotel and Spa on the 29^th and the 30^th of November 2011. In addition to sponsoring the conference, al khaliji also chaired the events on the first day.

Mr. Robin McCall, in his capacity as Group Chief Executive Officer of al khaliji, opened the conference as key note speaker and Chairman on the 29th, where he shared with the audience, the uncertainties surrounding Euro Zone Crisis and the hard realities of its impact on changing M&A space.

"The 2007 and 2008 global financial crisis have brought a shift in corporate behavior towards capital markets as well as other funding products. Regardless of this gradual shift away from lending, banks will continue to be a critical component of the funding mix of products that other funders cannot provide (such as working capital, treasury and cash management products). Banks will play a central role in funding and facilitating the inevitable M&A pick up that must surely follow this cycle."-said Robin McCall, Group Chief Executive Officer as part of his speech.

While covering his views on the MENA region in particular, he added

" While MENA region has a very small share of Global M&A deals, the GCC region will continue to be an attractive region for International Investors, driven particularly by the strong growth expectations in energy spending , infrastructure projects leading to FIFA 2022 and the view that political stability can be maintained."

In addition to Mr. McCall, Mr. Satish Kumaraswami, Group Head of Business Banking moderated the session on comparing, contrasting and evaluating the key advantages to growing businesses through acquisitions vs. organic growth, while Mr. Mian Ehsanullah, Head of Public Sector and Liability Management - Corporate Banking Division, moderated a session on what are the financing options available to acquisitive MENA companies.

This is the second year al khaliji supports the M&A, Corporate Finance and Advisory MENA Conference, which is attended by the region's leading CEOs, CFOs, Treasurers, Finance Directors, Institutional Investors, Fund Managers, Private Equity Houses, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Investment and M&A Market Bankers. This event constitutes an excellent platform to debate key issues and topics that are important to achieving Qatar's long-term vision and future economic and financial developments. To learn more, please visit www.alkhaliji.com.

-Ends-

al khaliji is Qatar's pioneer 'next generation bank' offering a full range of conventional banking products and services to retail, business, corporate and institutional customers.

Al Khaliji France is our subsidiary in Paris, France with a network of branches in the UAE covering Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaima, and Abu Dhabi. This branch network offers customers and businesses local, regional and international banking services.

Headquartered in Doha, al khaliji is one of Qatar's leading banks and a member of the Qatar Exchange Index, with QR 23.85 billion in total assets and QR 11.58 billion in customer deposits as of 30 September 2011.

At al khaliji we believe that success lies in the financial security and development of people to enable them to sustain a prosperous life. Our products and level of service reflect our belief that to be successful, we must meet the needs of both this generation and future generations of employees, customers, investors and business partners.

While financial objectives are key to sustaining our prosperity in any market, at al khaliji we believe that long-term sustainability is maintained by balancing our commitments to achieving our results, with the commitment towards the development of people and the preservation of natural resources.

Visit www.alkhaliji.com and www.alkhaliji.fr to discover the latest 'next generation bank' news and information.

Media Contact:
Abeer Al Kalla
Head of Public Relations & Communications
Telephone: + 974 4494 0646
Email: aalkalla@alkhaliji.com