This year’s workshop will focus on getting grounded in Middle East securitisation. Our key experts will be outlining the foundations of how to approach the structuring of a securitisation from start to finish and who the key players are throughout the process.

• Review of GCC Securitisation in 2007
• Understanding the basics of securitisation – Where are the risks and returns
• Assessing the influence of Shari'a law on the  securitisation structures
• Where do credit ratings fit in?

The following two sessions outline who the various key stakeholders are in the lifecycle of a securitisation transaction and what impact they have at each stage of the cycle.

·                     Arranger and Lead manager

·                     Legal advisor

·                     Rating Agency

·                     The trustee and servicer

Why a sukuk deal is not a securitisation?

• Examining the differences and similarities between the two products
• Looking at why a sukuk deal is not a “true sale” securitisation
• Analysing interest rate curves and yields
• How attractive is either product from a portfolio and pricing issues point?

• Understanding the fallout in the investment climate given the volatile global economic condition
• With the high oil revenues streaming into GCC economies – what are the impacts and how should this wealth be managed?
• What does 2008 have in store for the region and the market?

• Assessing the potential of securitisation in the Middle East – looking at the deals to date and the pipeline for 2008
• Overcoming the regulatory and knowledge barriers in order to have securitisation prosper
• What impact will securitisation have on liquidity in the market?
• Examining how the global credit crunch is impacting the securitisation MENA market

• Examining the landmark deals of 2007
• Gulf credit ratings take hold – to what extent is this important for the GCC market
• What are the key risks for investors?
• Islamic securitisation – what’s the difference?

• Understanding why and when to undertake securitisation transactions
• Effectively overcoming cultural and knowledge issues when choosing advisors for the deal
• Lessons learned: tips and strategies for facilitating future deals
•  What were the benefits of choosing securitising as a finance tool?

• Who are the key investors in the GCC market?
• What are investors actually looking for when investing in the GCC?
• Assessing the hindrances in marketing GCC originating products overseas?
• How will Basle II and international accounting standards impact investment strategy?

• Analysing the global perspective regarding current credit & liquidity situation
• Contrasting the US and European positions
• What lessons can we learn from the last six months?
• Understanding what this means for MENA?
• Will the crisis lead to a new breed of sophisticated investors and opportunistic targeting in the region?

Popular with senior executives across the world, this networking session allows delegates to meet their fellow attendees in a brief, yet structured meeting environment. Speed Networking allows swift and efficient interaction that will lead to lucrative, ongoing business associations. We’ve taken the headache out of networking: you can now gain personal introductions to the decision makers who are your potential clients and partners. Bring 150+ business cards.

• Understanding the governing principles on compliance and the process for enforcing it
• Assessing how Islamic products are being secured across the region
• Obtaining a Fatwa on a Shari'a compliant securitisation
•  The scholars’ view of which assets may be securitised next under Shari'a law
• Examining the feasibility of structuring a securitisation of the following assets:

-          Leisure facilities

-          Hotels

-           Shopping malls

• Setting up a Shari'a compliant securitisation from scratch, and ensuring it is Shari'a compliant
•  What were the learning points – what worked and what did not?
• What requirements needed to be fulfilled?
• How was it received by investors?

• Do providers of home finance need securitisation?
• How does Basel II affect these institutions?
• How would transactions differ across the regions?
• What difference does the Islamic aspect make?
• Rating Islamic structures: is it different?
• To what extent are lessons from the US sub-prime RMBS applicable in the region?

Efficiently completing property finance through securitisation

• Why chose securitisation over alternative finance structures?
• Highlighting the top 3 challenges and solutions?
•  What were the learning points – what worked and what did not?
• How was it received by investors?

• Who is funding the market? What are their needs?
• Comparing the advantages of secured lending over unsecured lending?
• Examining the potential of capital markets vs bank lending in the MENA property securitisation

• Securitisation is slow to take off - is there a future with so much liquidity available?
• Which assets are going to be securitised and why?
• Pan Gulf opportunities - where to look next in the region?
• UAE, Bahrain, Saudi, Qatar or beyond – which regions will be the winners or losers?
• Post RMBS Tamweel issuance: is there really a future for this going forward in the region?
• What are the key issues that need to be tackled and by whom?