|
Investment Insights into the MENA Region
Dalia Shafik, Head of Equities of Beltone Financial, a sponsor company at the marcus evans Global Investors Summit 2015, on the trends and risks of investing in the MENA region.
LONDON, Sep 04, 2015 - (ACN Newswire) - "We believe that on a global front volatility is the name of the game. Given this kind of backdrop the MENA region offers a unique playground," says Dalia Shafik, Head of Equities, Beltone Financial.
Belton Financial is a sponsor company at the marcus evans Global Investors Summit 2015 in Montreux, Switzerland, 5 - 7 October.
- What exciting news does the MENA region have for investors?
The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have qualified for emerging markets status and the announcement has been made by MSCI that Saudi Arabia will be qualified in 2017 to 2018, which will completely change the landscape of the region since Saudi Arabia is the largest market in the region. Saudi Arabia has opened up its market to foreign investors which is a major achievement that we have been waiting for, for years.
- From an investor's perspective, which country has progressed the most since the Arab Spring?
Increasing attention has been given to Egypt, which we expected since Egypt has had an incredible comeback from a bleak political and economical situation. We are currently witnessing the last step in the political transformation with the parliament elections scheduled to take place later this year. The Egyptian government, for the first time in 50 years has and is implementing short, medium and long term goals.
The decline in oil prices has benefitted Egypt greatly; therefore the government has confirmed their expenditure plans that include the expediting of infrastructure projects. Infrastructure companies working with the government are paid in advance, in dollars and are given fuel allocations.
On the economic transformation we have already seen a turnaround in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate after recording four years of two percent GDP growth after the January 2011 revolution. We are expecting a GDP growth rate exceeding five percent ending the fiscal year 2016.
Concerns regarding the risk of potential devaluation of the Egyptian pound have been overplayed. Even with the two to three percent devaluation this year, the growth rates of the corporate sector in the market is significantly higher, at an average growth rate of 20-30 percent this year, and another 40-50 percent next year. These growth rates downplay any currency concerns. Thus we believe Egypt is the alpha market in the MENA region.
- What are some of the risks involved in investing in the MENA region?
Like any other emerging market, the MENA region has geopolitical risks. If the political risk increases in a country, we are equipped to reduce our allocations significantly or exit the market completely.
A current example is the increasing political risk in Turkey. Political risks have been materializing since 2013, so we were a bit cautious in 2014 and because they have persisted this year our concerns have been solidified. The Turkish lira has lost 25 percent of its value year-to-date which completely trumps the market's consensus earnings growth of 18 percent in 2015. As a result, we have shied away from Turkey because any gains we can make on investment stocks can be completely lost when the currency devalues. We believe Egypt will be the alpha market in the MENA region.
About the Global Investors Summit 2015
The Global Investors Summit is the ultimate meeting point, bringing leading investors from around the globe with international fund managers and consultants in an intimate and focused environment. Taking place at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Montreux, Switzerland, 5 - 7 October 2015, the Summit includes presentation on monitoring macro movements, replacing underperforming investments, strategies in higher risk asset classes and revisiting risk management strategies.
For more information please send an email to press@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at http://globalinvestors.marcusevans-summits.com/DaliaShafikInterview
marcus evans group - investment sector portal -
www.marcusevans.com/reviews/investment
The Investment Network - marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3937929&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/MarcusEvansInvest
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/meSummitsInvest
- SlideShare: www.slideshare.net/MarcusEvansInvest
Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About Beltone Financial
Beltone Financial Holding is a regional financial services group established in 2002 offering asset management, investment banking, private equity, securities brokerage, custody, and research services. Beltone Asset Management specializes in managing assets across a wide spectrum of products including local and regional equity, money market and fixed income products in addition to end of service saving plans. Beltone Asset Management is the largest asset manager in Egypt and one of the largest in MENA with AUMs of around $4 billion. www.beltonefinancial.com.
Contact:Luzdary Hammad,
Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: +357 22 849 385
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
Source: marcus evans Summits
Sectors: Daily Finance, Daily News
Copyright ©2024 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network. |
Latest Release
Gruelling Challenge Awaits TGR In Saudi Arabia
Dec 27, 2024 15:20 JST
| 
The General Incorporated Association Generative AI Japan Announces the Winners of the Japan Generative AI Award 2024
Dec 27, 2024 11:00 JST
| 
MHI Included in "World Index" of Dow Jones Sustainability Index for Second Consecutive Year
Dec 27, 2024 09:36 JST
|
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to Exhibit at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025
Dec 26, 2024 17:11 JST
| 
JCB Launches Red Guahan Shopping Mall Shuttle Free Ride Promotion in Guam
Dec 26, 2024 12:00 JST
| 
Mazda Production and Sales Results for November 2024
Dec 26, 2024 11:46 JST
|
MHI Conducts Nighttime and Long-Distance Highway Demonstration Testing of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Currently Under Development
Dec 26, 2024 09:47 JST
| 
Hitachi delivers a turnkey rail solution for Ho Chi Minh City's first urban railway Line 1 in Vietnam
Dec 24, 2024 13:19 JST
| 
Nissan and Honda sign MOU to consider business integration
Dec 24, 2024 11:18 JST
| 
Olympus Named to Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the Fourth Consecutive Year
Dec 24, 2024 11:00 JST
|
GAC Honda Begins Operation of New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Production Factory in Guangzhou, China
Dec 24, 2024 10:23 JST
| 
Sarawak Premier Makes Inaugural Visit to Mitsubishi Power's Takasago Hydrogen Park
Dec 24, 2024 10:10 JST
| 
Fujirebio and Eisai Enter into Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Research and Social Implementation of Blood-based Biomarkers in the Field of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Dec 23, 2024 17:22 JST
| 
Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors sign MOU on collaborative considerations
Dec 23, 2024 13:54 JST
| 
Fujitsu drives chemical industry logistics DX with participation in joint logistics demonstration
Dec 23, 2024 13:30 JST
|
Mitsubishi Motors Cumulative Production Reaches One Million Units in Indonesia
Dec 20, 2024 17:35 JST
|
Contract Renewed on Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Services for APM System at Washington Dulles International Airport
Dec 20, 2024 17:24 JST
|
Toyota Launches Alphard and Vellfire PHEV Models in Japan
Dec 20, 2024 15:38 JST
| 
6G Begins! Embarking on a New Journey of Global Interoperable Standards
Dec 19, 2024 16:50 JST
|
MI LNG Company to Change Corporate Name to MILES
Dec 19, 2024 13:49 JST
|
More Latest Release >>
|