The 2014 Global Financial Markets Forum (GFMF) will take place in Abu Dhabi from March 4-5 to evaluate Abu Dhabi's potential as a financial hub. The forum will bring over 1,000 delegates from around the world to discuss issues affecting the global economy. Speakers will include government officials, bankers, and academics who will discuss establishing Abu Dhabi as a financial center and evaluate Abu Dhabi's strengths such as its strategic location and leadership. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi has organized the annual GFMF since 2009 to share insights on critical issues affecting the global economy.

1. 2014 GFMF to Evaluate Future Abu Dhabi Financial Center
Abu Dhabi (March/February xx, 2014) – The 2014 Global Financial Markets
Forum (GFMF) kicks off March 4 with a focus on Abu Dhabi’s influence across
the West-East Corridor and its potentials as a financial hub serving this great span.
The two-day conference begins by the Welcome Address by H.E. Nasser Ahmed
Alsowadi, the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. It
will be followed by the Keynote Address “Establishing Abu Dhabi as a Financial
Centre” by H.E. Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Marketplace.
“Abu Dhabi’s wealth, diversification plans, strategic location, and most
importantly astute leadership make it a strong financial hub across the great and
growing commercial flow of West-East Corridor, so it’s appropriate that a
conference devoted to global finance should explore and explain Abu Dhabi’s
strength and potentials,” says Anton Martin, the Managing Director & Head of
Sales in NBAD’s Global Markets Division.
National Bank of Abu Dhabi Global Markets Division has organised the annual
GFMF Since 2009, which brings to Abu Dhabi over a thousand delegates from
across the world to share thoughts and benefit from discussions and analysis by
prominent bankers, economists, investors and executives who offer insight and on
the critical issues affecting global economy and investors’ sentiments.
The first day of 2014 GFMF also offers keynote speeches by great global
statesmen: James A. Baker III, the former US Secretary of Treasury and State; H.E.
Sheik Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Social
Development; and Larry Summers, who served as Director of White House
National Economic Council, Secretary of the Treasury, and President of Harvard
University.
It will also feature a panel discussion comprising of executive of Abu Dhabi’s top
companies: H.E. Abubaker Seddiq Khoori, Chairman of Aldar Properties; Mr. Al
Sayegh, Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Deputy Group CEO and Chief Executive
Officer, Emerging Sectors at Mubadala.
Another topics covered on the first day of the Forum: “Five things they didn’t tell
you at Davos!” by Mark Blyth, Mark Blyth, professor of International Political
Economy at Brown University and commentator David McWilliams.

2. On March 5, the second and final day of the Forum, Alex Thursby, the Group Chief
Executive Officer of NBAD will offer the opening remarks, followed by a panel
discussions comprising of Central bankers and policy-makers.
It will be followed by a panel discussion comprised of central bankers and policy
makers; and another exciting panel titled “The State of the World Today.” This
panel will consist of Jean-Claude Trichet, former President of the European Central
Bank; Peter Knez, Founder and CEO of Incaptur; and Alastair Newton, Managing
Director and Senior Political Analyst at Nomura International.
Another panel discussion by Bob Diamond is Founder and Chief Executive Officer
of Atlas Merchant Capital; Jes Staley, Managing Partner of BlueMountain Capital
Management; and Pascal Blanqué, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Amundi.
This panel is moderated by Davide Serra, founder and CEO of Algebris
Investments.
In light of the UAE’s established status as a great and increasing growing
aerospace hub, a panel will discuss the industry.
GFMF includes Investor Presentation sessions, a programme introduced to the
region by NBAD 2011 GFMF. The Investor Presentation sessions would be offered
on February 25 and 26, prior to the commencement of the conference.
A unique feature of GFMF is GFMF Virtual World, which allows NBAD to
replicate the GFMF venue over virtual 3D environment. Delegates from around the
globe who are unable to attend the forum in Abu Dhabi would be able to benefit
from ‘virtual’ conference where they can interact and collaborate with other peers
in their industry from the location of their choice in an environment that is closely
similar to the real life event as possible.
GFMF Virtual World, powered by AvayaLiveTM Engage, is offered by GFMF’s
partner Avaya. The application offers three-dimensional live conferencing that is
accessible from any internet connection to support one-on-one conversations and
group sessions.
The 2014 GFMF will take place in the prestigious and state-of-the-art Emirates
Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
For further info on GFMF, please visit http://www.gfmf-nbad.com