Commercialising innovative ideas at centre of second Enterprise Financing Network meeting

Dubai, 21-22 March 2007

The second meeting of the Enterprise Financing Network on March 21-22 at the Dubai International Financial Center centred around commercialising innovative ideas and linking innovative entrepreneurs with capital. 

H.H. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of the Economy of the U.A.E. as well as H.E. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Center, opened the discussions where prominent representatives from the private equity industry, the banking community and science and technology organisations participated.

Lessons from other emerging markets with private equity financing were offered by experienced financiers and entrepreneurs from other regions and their application to the MENA region was explored.

Capitalising on the momentum and excellent participation in the meeting, the Steering Board of the Network of the Enterprise Financing Network has been constituted and the Enterprise Financing Gap study in the MENA region launched.

Declaration

Agenda

Session 1

Angel Investing And The Role Of ABAN, Mr. Rabih Khoury, The Arab Business Angel Network (ABAN), Head Of MENA Investments, Dubai International Capital, UAE

Science & Technology For Prosperity, Dr. Samir Hamrouni, Director Of Research And Development, Arab Science And Technology Foundation ( ASTF ), Sharjah, UAE

Angel Investor’s Networks - Practical Approach, Dr. Hijazi, Greenfield Angel Investor's Network 

Providing Linkages for Growth, Mr. Alexander Böhmer, Executive Programme Manager, MENA-OECD Investment Programme

Session 3

Linking Innovative Entrepreneurs With Investors, Mr. Charles Kovacs, Vice-Chairman, Committee On Non-Member Economies, Business And Industry Advisory Committee To The OECD

Enterprise Financing, Dr. Rashad Othman, Chairman, New Vision For Corporate Renewal And Turnaround Management, And Chairman, Jordan Climate Change Company, Jordan