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Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, UAE

Welcome to the 15th Annual One on One Conference

2019 is likely to be another challenging year for Emerging and Frontier Markets. While valuations are much improved after weak performance in 2018, the continuing rise in US interest rates will be a challenge for more heavily-indebted FEM markets. China's economy is an increasingly important engine for FEM growth, but recent stimulus measures are offering diminishing returns to scale. We see two strong themes for 2019: (1) Index upgrades and the impact of passive flows on Saudi Arabia and often-overlooked Kuwait and (2) ongoing recovery in markets that have already taken steps to rebalance their economies, such as Egypt and potentially Pakistan.

2018 Highlights



255

Financial Institutions

USD 8 TRN

In AUMs

173

Top-listed companies

26

Countries

Every Year at the Dubai Conference



2010
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Regional Economies, Global Networks

The economic outlook for the MENA region was forecasted to strengthen in 2010 with the improved outlook for the global economy. Oil prices were expected to remain at a very conformable level for the oil-exporting economies while the more diversified economies were expected to benefit from the pickup in remittances, tourism and wider exports, which were also key driver of domestic demand. We forecasted that the majority of the MENA countries would see a strengthening in their domestic demand outlooks. In light of this, the 8th Annual EFG Hermes One-on-One Conference held in Sharm El-Sheikh was a premiere regional event at which leading global investors interacted with top executives and high-ranking government officials from the Arab world in a relaxed-yet-business-like environment to forge new relationships and deepen long-standing ties.

Bridging the Gap

With the Arab world undergoing a historical political transition in the context of a global economy that was also going through significant transformation, there had never been a more fitting time for a one-on-one interaction in the region. This year, the scope of the conference was widened to include non-Arab African companies for the first time, offering emerging market investors exciting opportunities backed by favourable demographics and sound economic fundamentals. The conference, located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, provided an effective platform for companies to communicate their investment stories to current and potential investors, whilst collectively encouraging investment in the region.

Your Gateway to MENA

The outlook for 2013 varied greatly between the oil-exporters and the oil-importers. For the GCC countries, expansionary government spending resulted in a multi-faceted domestic demand story while oil-importers faced a number of challenges, notably balancing social factors and economic growth. Fiscal reforms were expected to result in compressed margins for both corporates and individuals resulting in weaker growth. The 9th Annual EFG Hermes One on One Conference, which was held in Luxor, provided key insights for those seeking to invest in MENA's rapid growth, with high-ranking government officials from across the MEA in attendance to cast light on the latest developments and investment opportunities in the region.

Celebrating a Decade of Success

The 10th annual EFG Hermes One on One Conference offered a perfect opportunity to explore a wide range of new ideas and strategies in light of the region's emerging realities, with all the diverse challenges and exciting opportunities they presented. With Dubai ramping up spending in the wake of winning its bid to host the Dubai Expo 2020, UAE and Qatar's upgrade to emerging market status, Morocco's downgrade to frontier market status and Egypt's apparent enactment of its political roadmap, 2014 looked set to be an exciting year for investors and companies alike and the conference provided an ideal forum to gain cutting edge market intelligence and create crucial business connections with senior business leaders.

A Region of Opportunities

The 2015 conference was met with one of the most compelling macroeconomic backdrops the MENA region had witnessed in years. With a strong pipeline of IPOs in Egypt and the UAE, an uptick in M&A transactions and Saudi's decision to open its market to foreign investors, 2016 was an interesting year full of opportunities for investors and companies alike. Our conference provided the perfect venue for key global equity investors to network with high-level executives from leading MENA companies, gain on-the-ground market insights and cultivate regional and international business connections.

MENA: Opportunities Beyond Oil

The 2016 conference shaped up to be a particularly crucial meeting as we witnessed major global changes that had significant repercussions on the investment climate in the region. As the year 2015 drew to a close, we saw the continued rollout of new political and economic realities across the region, with new challenges bringing new opportunities. In Egypt, a new Central Bank of Egypt governor had just taken the helm and natural gas flows to industry improved substantially. Meanwhile, the outlook for the UAE and Kuwait was broadly positive, with the UAE's diverse economy and Kuwait's financial reserves helping both economies withstand the impact of lower oil prices. The EFG Hermes' One on One Conference provided companies and investors with the perfect venue to discuss these new regional realities and explore compelling opportunities that went beyond oil and tapped into the core fundamentals of regional economies.

The Pulse of MENA & Frontier Markets

The 2017 conference came in a challenging year for emerging and frontier markets. With Brexit and the election of Donald Trump resulting in the rising risk of protectionism to EM growth, as well as the rising dollar and US bond yields, EM have relied on their own internal factors, such as economic reform and attractive demographic dynamics, to retain their growth trajectories and attract FDI. Amid conflicting signals about the global outlook and investment prospects, it was a key setting for equity investors to meet face-to-face with regional high-level executives and industry professionals in a custom backdrop designed for open dialogue and the exploration of compelling investment opportunities.

Shifting Benchmarks: Frontier Emerging Markets

The 2018 conference came on the heels of strong economic growth, favorable demographics, a growing consumer-driven middle class and advancing reform agendas enabling MENA and frontier emerging markets to gain considerable traction among investors in 2017, with year-to-date fund inflows at record highs in multiple geographies. Shifting dynamics for oil and the USD, weaker commodity prices and a pivot in Chinese-led growth and several regional policy reforms and political turbulences were among the key themes of discussed in 2018. The conference provided unmatched access and insights to investors and fund managers seeking to explore the region's shifting benchmarks and identify investment plays.

Agenda


Due to both the large number of companies scheduled to attend and strong investor demand for meetings with presenting companies, we decided to switch to a four-day conference format. Presenting companies will be scheduled to appear either 3-4 March or 5-6 March 2019 so that we can schedule meetings accordingly.


07:00 – 9:00
Atlantis Ballroom Foyer, West Wing, Atlantis
Standing Breakfast and Registration*
09:00 – 11:00
Atlantis Ballroom, Atlantis
Main Session
11:00 – 12:50
West Wing, Atlantis
One on One Meetings
13:00 – 14:30
Saffron Restaurant, Atlantis
Lunch
14:30 – 18:20
West Wing, Atlantis
One on One Meetings
07:00 – 19:00
Meeting rooms floors, West Wing, Atlantis
Registration & Scheduling
08:00 – 11:50
West Wing, Atlantis
One on One Meetings
12:00 – 13:20
Saffron Restaurant, Atlantis
Lunch
13:30 – 18:20
West Wing, Atlantis
One on One Meetings
20:30 – 23:30
Venue TBC
Gala Dinner
07:00 – 19:00
Meeting rooms floors, West Wing, Atlantis
Registration & Scheduling
08:00 – 11:50
West Wing, Atlantis
One on One Meetings
12:00 – 13:20
Saffron Restaurant, Atlantis
Lunch
13:30 – 18:20
West Wing, Atlantis
One on One Meetings
07:00 – 19:00
Meeting rooms floors, West Wing, Atlantis
Registration & Scheduling
08:00 – 11:50
West Wing, Atlantis
One on One Meetings
12:00 – 13:20
Saffron Restaurant, Atlantis
Lunch
13:30 – 18:20
West Wing, Atlantis
One on One Meetings

* Agenda is subject to change

Participation Guidelines (Presenters)
Brochure (Investors)

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