A complete shift in expectations for US interest rates, from consecutive rate hikes in 2018 to the speculation of impending rate cuts has sparked a rally in FEM during the first half of 2019. Despite this, country-specific factors will ultimately determine the direction of investment flows. Countries such as Egypt, Sri Lanka and Morocco have more room to cut rates, while Pakistan will likely continue to raise rates as it pursues funding from the IMF. Saudi Arabia's upgrade to MSCI and FTSE EM status along with the expectation that Argentina and Kuwait will follow suit in 2019 and 2020 will lead to a shakeup in FEM benchmarks. Diversification will become a key theme among growing FEM economies, with trade tensions between China and the US and the continued instability in oil prices rousing new opportunities for trade in these markets. Countries like Vietnam, Morocco, and Egypt, as well as several GCC and other oil-exporting markets have taken heed, broadening their export offerings to attract increased FDI. Against this backdrop, our 9th Annual London Conference will provide c-suite executives, investors and fund managers from the fastest-growing FEMs with a unique platform to network, share insights and explore potential investment opportunities.
Institutional Investors
Aggregate AUM
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The 2011 London Conference came at an optimal time when presenting companies, investors and fund managers needed to convene and review their results in what was a truly transformational and dynamic year for the region. The conference offered attendees insight into what the future could hold and the region's growth outlook amid a period characterised by political instability, fears of contagion and unprecedented volatility.
As political risks began to recede, investors were increasingly eyeing opportunities to tap into the region's growth outlook. With GCC countries enjoying strong and expansionary fiscal positions and Egypt witnessing some political consolidation, the 2012 London Conference offered buy-side investors the opportunity to meet personally with C-Suite executives from this dynamic region's leading companies to learn more about the strategies and expectations of the region's business leaders.
A key theme of the 2013 London Conference was the varying prospects between oil-exporters and oil-importers. GCC countries and oil exporters in general offered a more robust outlook on the back of expansionary government policies, with broad-based state spending spurring both job creation and private-sector spending. Meanwhile, oil-importing countries faced a number of challenges, notably balancing social factors and economic growth with fiscal reforms required to bring down government deficits.
With so many factors at play in 2014 – including bringing about political stability and reform in MENA countries, cherry picking companies that are thriving following the turmoil and figuring out where new MSCI emerging markets fit in the investable universe –the 4th London Conference provided an unmatched, proven venue from which attendees gained key, on-the-ground insights and intelligence that help guide their investment strategy.
A recovery in oil prices, the KSA opening its door to foreign portfolio investments, a long-awaited companies law in the UAE and earnings surprises from Egyptian companies, among other regional developments, meant that 2015 was a year of shifting fundamentals. Staying true to its reputation as the largest MENA investor event in the UK, the EFG Hermes 5th London Conference provided unmatched access to the strategies and expectations of key regional business heavyweights.
In addition to its customary focus on the Middle East and North Africa, the 6th Annual EFG Hermes London Conference included, for the first time, listed companies in frontier markets outside of MENA. The conference's key theme focused on the reallocation of capital from Western economies and the return of emerging markets to investors' favor. Yet as oil prices remained uncertain and with commodity price shocks, reform remained the critical driver for regional market performance and attractiveness.
The 2017 London Conference marked our largest-ever turnout yet, with an expanded roster of 290 institutional investors and global fund managers and 130 presenting companies spanning 10 industries and 20 of the world's most compelling frontier and emerging markets. The event allowed companies and investors to build relationships, gain first-mover advantages on innovative investment plays and foster opportunities for long-term value creation on a global scale.
The 2018 London Conference once again broke records for attendance as 327 institutional investors and global fund managers met with representatives of over 151 presenting companies spanning 10 industries and 27 of the world's fastest-growing markets. This year our participants explored cutting-edge strategies for capturing business opportunities in these markets despite global challenges such as escalating trade wars, weaker commodity prices, and a pivot in Chinese-led growth.
9 SEPTEMBER 2019
10 SEPTEMBER 2019
11 SEPTEMBER 2019
12 SEPTEMBER 2019
* Agenda is subject to change
The largest Frontier Emerging Markets-focused conference.
Access to one-on-one meetings with fund managers, institutional investors and C-suite executives.
Gain insights into some of the world's fastest growing markets and the compelling opportunities they offer.
Network with peers with all over the world and build fruitful relationships