TECHNICAL PAPERS

Emerging international financial centers and markets, in 'International Financial Centres Yearbook 2007/2008' - 15 May 2007
To many in the business world these are exciting times as there is a greater assertiveness of certain emerging economies in stating their rights, needs, wishes and taking a greater hand in their own development. Some economies seeking to establish themselves as emerging international financial centres (EIFCs) have close links and ties to the energy sector. Therefore it should come as no surprise that some of the EIFCs and markets coming up on the radar are located in Central Asia and the Middle East and have huge oil and mineral reserves. Please see the 'International Financial Centres Yearbook 2007/2008' at http://www.euromoney-yearbooks.com/?page=5&pcID=7404

The Middle East and her sovereign funds in 'Project Finance Yearbook 2008/2009' - 08 September 2008
The 21st century brought along a number of changes, changes in perception, changes in attitude and changes in positioning. Earlier this year we saw a change in attitude from OPEC. This time it openly confirmed what most knew, that the price rises in oil had no relation to the actual supply and demand situation. The current oil price level is hinged to speculation and the ‘mis-managed’ US economy.

Another interesting change has been the emergence of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) as principal players in global M&A.1 SWFs are attracting attention not only from those in need of financial assistance but from the governments of those countries in which they invest. But SWFs are not unique to the Middle East, a large number of SWFs are being established in Asian export countries as well as in Russia and other countries with a strong reserve of natural resources. However with United Arab Emirates (UAE) sovereign wealth funds, and Bahrain’s quest for being the financial capital of the Middle East, the Middle East is flying high.

Please see the 'Project Finance Yearbook 2008/2009' at http://www.euromoney-yearbooks.com/default.asp?page=5&pcID=10017