The Search For Growth – International Expansion, Investment And Consolidation Focus Of 2nd Telecom Finance Middle East & Africa 2008

Dubai and London, 25 February 2008 – As market attention in the TMT sector shifts to focus on growth prospects and emerging markets, the 2nd Telecom Finance Middle East and Africa event has announced the theme of this year’s event will be the  search for growth – international expansion, investment and consolidation. The event takes place 22-22 May 2008 at the prestigious Madinat Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai (www.tmtfinance.com/tfme)

Reflecting the investment drive by major telecommunication operators in the region, this special conference for professional TMT practitioners in finance and law firms, private equity and the financial and strategic leadership in operating companies, will focus on investment opportunities, where they exist or are emerging and capable of providing sustained growth.

This year’s event is sponsored by law firms Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters and the Royal Bank of Scotland among others with further announcements to be made.

Telecom Finance Middle East & Africa 2008 continues to build on its reputation in the region as the foremost networking opportunity for players engaged in the sector, providing high value content and market insight, an information exchange and learning experience. The programme will include high calibre speakers from the leading telecom organisations in the region, as well as financial institutions, advisers and other professionals.

“In the current climate, we believe there is a strong industrial logic for telecoms operators to seek to capitalise on their balance sheet positions by engaging in acquisition-led expansion into high growth markets,” commented Oliver Cann, managing editor of TelecomFinance. “While in highly developed Middle Eastern Markets, deal making could take the form of asset sales, further consolidation, even investment in more mature markets such as Europe, in other Middle Eastern and African markets, genuine greenfield opportunities still exist for the investor with the relevant risk profile.”

Telecom Finance conferences were launched in 2006 by the magazine, together with consulting, publishing and events company, BroadGroup. Since then, the annual flagship events held each year in London and Dubai have acquired a stellar reputation and unique brand status, delivering critical content and networking rich insight and opportunities in the TMT sector.

Combined with a ‘who’s-who’ delegate profile, the 2-day event has an academy of more than 40 speakers and experts, hosts the annual TelecomFinance Middle East and Africa dinner, and is positioned as the premier networking hub for senior executives at telecom operators and supplier organisations, who will meet with financiers, private equity investors, investment bankers, legal advisers, and other professional intermediaries focused on the sector.