Sponsors
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Strategic partner
 The DIFC is the world's newest international financial centre. It aims to develop the same stature as New York, London and Hong Kong. It primarily serves the vast region between Western Europe and East Asia. Since it opened in September 2004, the DIFC has attracted high calibre firms from around the globe as well as its region. A world-class stock exchange, the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX), opened in the DIFC in September 2005. The DIFC is a 110-acre free zone. It is part of the larger vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, together with the Government of Dubai, to create an environment for progress and economic development in the UAE and the wider region.
Sector Focus
The DIFC focuses on several sectors of financial activity: Banking and Brokerage Services; Financial Markets; Wealth Management; Re-insurance and Captives; Islamic Finance; and Professional Service Providers. Financial institutions may apply for licences in the above sectors. Firms operating in the DIFC are eligible for benefits such as a zero tax rate on profits, 100 per cent foreign ownership, no restrictions on foreign exchange or repatriation of capital, operational support and business continuity facilities. Financial services in the DIFC are regulated to international standards by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). For information, please visit www.difc.ae
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In association with
 The Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance (Hawkamah) is an international association of corporate governance practitioners, regulators, and institutions advancing home grown but globally integrated corporate governance best practices in the region.
Hawkamah’s mission is to promote corporate sector reform and good governance, assist the countries of the region in developing and implementing sustainable corporate governance strategies adapted to national requirements and objectives. Regional cooperation will facilitate exchange and allow countries to learn from successful experiences, combine efforts, move towards harmonization of corporate governance frameworks, and build on synergies resulting from national actions and initiatives.
Hawkamah is currently shaping the development of corporate governance in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. By promoting its core values of transparency, accountability, fairness, disclosure, and responsibility, Hawkamah works on policy and practical aspects of corporate governance reform in the region. Visit www.hawkamah.org
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Associate Sponsors
Moody's Investors Service is among the world's most respected, widely utilized sources for credit ratings, research and risk analysis. Moody’s commitment and expertise contributes to transparent and integrated financial markets, protecting the integrity of credit. The firm publishes market-leading credit opinions, deal research and commentary, serving more than 8,700 customer accounts worldwide.
Moody's integrity and deep market expertise have earned it the trust of capital market participants worldwide. Our ratings and analysis track debt covering more than 100 sovereign nations, 11,000 corporate issuers, 26,000 public finance issuers, and 110,000 structured finance obligations.
Moody's maintains offices in most of the world's major financial centers and employs approximately 3,600 people worldwide, including more than 1,000 analysts.
Moody's Investors Service is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO). The corporation reported revenue of $2.3 billion in 2007. Additional information about the company is available at www.moodys.com.
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 Fitch Training was established over 20 years ago and is a specialist firm that provides credit training to bankers, regulators and investors around the world. We offer continuing education for those with experience and train across three main areas: financial institutions, corporate credit and securitization.
Through courses which are market focused and case-study based we equip participants with the framework and tools to make independent credit decisions. Fitch Training courses are delivered by finance practitioners turned trainers. They coach challenge and inform to ensure immediate and practical real-life application. For more information please contact Sarah Butt at sarah.butt@fitchtraining.com or Tel: +44 20 7201 2770
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Cocktail reception sponsor
 Deloitte is renowned in the market place for its innovative and collaborative culture with commitment to deliver an outstanding quality of client service.
We have a far reaching network of Financial Services practitioners in more than 40 countries. Locally in Dubai, and throughout the Middle East we have expertise in both conventional and Islamic banking, conventional and takaful assurance, and our own Shariah Scholar. As such, we can provide a specialist solution, seamlessly and consistently.
Deloitte’s breadth and depth of services along with a forward looking approach make it a leading force in the market place. Visit www.deloitte.com
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Lead Islamic Banking Technology Provider
 ITS Group is the Global leader in Ethical Banking solutions for Islamic banks and Islamic finance organizations for over two decades, and is a member of AAOIFI and IFX. The ITS Ethical Banking solution is 100% Shariah compliant, and specifically designed to fulfill the needs of the Islamic banking and finance sector.
ITS's Ethical Banking solution is based on the first award winning "Islamic Instrument Definition Engine" which allows Financial organizations to create their own Shariah compliant products, workflow, and processes. In addition, it is based on Service Oriented Architecture & is adopting IFX Massaging Protocol.
The ITS Ethical banking solutions covers Consumer Financing, Trade Finance, Retail Islamic Banking, Ejarah Card Product, Treasury/Investment, Internet Banking, Risk Management with BASEL II Compliance, and Banking Delivery Channels.
ITS has a keen understanding of what its customers really need from an ICT partner; in short, to enable technology utilization in order to allow your business to grow.
ITS implements cutting edge solutions for numerous valued clients in the Middle East, North Africa and East Asian regions, through our resource pool of over 2400 skilled IT professionals based in 24 offices worldwide.
For more information, please visit: www.its.ws
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 PI Worldwide (www.piworldwide.com) is a privately held international management consulting company with headquarters in Massachusetts, USA. Our management team includes recognized experts in organizational development, psychology, research, management consulting, sales consulting and employee relations. We have licensed consultants in offices in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Africa, Dubai, Asia, Australia, and India. In Dubai , Future Match Human Resources Consultancy (www.futurematch-hrc.com) is the exclusive licensee for UAE and GCC Region.
The Predictive Index, SSAT (Selling Skills Assessment Tool) and Customer-Focused Selling (CFS) are copyright protected by Praendex Incorporated, the parent company of PI Worldwide. Praendex provides a full service support organization for clients and consultants around the world.
With over 50 years of success, we're not just your latest buzzword.
PI Worldwide has a track record of success and steady growth dating back to 1955, when the late Arnold S. Daniels, a young entrepreneur from Boston with a background in statistics, founded the company. His goal, which remains the company's mission today, was to use the then-emerging science of behavioral assessment to help companies make important decisions concerning people at work.
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 Media Partner
Deloitte Oxford Business Group (OBG), a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, publishes economic and political intelligence on the markets of Eastern Europe, North and South Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
OBG offers comprehensive analysis of political, macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.
OBG’s acclaimed economic, political and business reports are the leading source of local and regional intelligence, while OBG’s online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.
For more information, please visit: www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com
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HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre 
