Renowned Historian and Author, Niall Ferguson to participate in the Big Debate at the event

UAE, 13 May, 2012 - Standard Chartered announced today that its annual "Standard Chartered Forum" will be held in Dubai on the 15th of May. This year, the Forum will be held under the title: "The New Normal: Markets Emerging in the Super-Cycle". Last year, the Dubai event was a great success and was attended by more than 400 executives. 

The one-day forum is an annual leadership event that is organized in key cities across the Bank's footprint. The forum provides a platform for discussion on the challenges and opportunities of emerging economies and will discuss the latest financial, economic and political events that are shaping the regional and global economy. Niall Ferguson, the renowned Historian, Author and Professor at Harvard University and Harvard Business School will participate at a debate along with Dr. Gerard Lyons, Chief Economist and Group Head of Research at Standard Chartered. The debate will be moderated by Riz Khan, an international journalist.

Commenting on the importance of the event, Dan Azzi, Co-Head of Wholesale Banking, Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, Standard Chartered, said:

"As uncertainty and volatility across the world's financial markets continue to cause major concern, optimism for longer term growth remains high, with emerging economies viewed as the drivers of growth. The Standard Chartered Forum is an ideal platform to exchange ideas and expertise and allow us to further deepen our undersdtanding of our clients' needs."

The event is held exclusively for Standard Chartered clients and features a cohesive programme that will provide participants with valuable insight, commentary and networking opportunities.

Standard Chartered has been operating in the Middle East for over 90 years. Out of its regional head office in the Dubai International Financial Centre, the Bank runs the largest trading floor in the Middle East region with 200 seats and is an active player in developing an Arab talent pool capable of leading the bank and the industry in general.

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Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Standard Chartered PLC is a leading international bank, listed on the London, Hong Kong and Mumbai stock exchanges. It has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets and earns around 90 per cent of its income and profits in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This geographic focus and commitment to developing deep relationships with clients and customers has driven the Bank's growth in recent years.

With 1,700 offices in 70 markets, Standard Chartered offers exciting and challenging international career opportunities for more than 87,000 staff. It is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. The Bank's heritage and values are expressed in its brand promise, 'Here for good'.

For more information on Standard Chartered, please visit www.standardchartered.com Follow Standard Chartered UAE at www.facebook.com/standardchartereduae and on Twitter @StanChartUAE.

For further information about Standard Chartered, please contact:
Ramy Lawand
Senior Regional Manager, External Communications
Standard Chartered MENAP
Tel: 009714 508 2564
Mobile: 00971 56 675 9894
E-mail: Ramy.Lawand@sc.com

© Press Release 2012