22-23 March 2020
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
Dubai

Now in its Eighth edition, the Middle East Family Office Investment Summit is a firm fixture in the calendar of the most prominent and influential families in the region – as well as those who want to do business with them.

SUMMITS HELD

regions

SPEAKERS

Family Offices

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

Introduction

Alea Global Group’s Family Office Summits are unique in the Middle East, organised by a Middle East-based family office. Because we are a family office ourselves, the delegates and speakers at our events are actually members of some of the most prominent family offices around the Middle East, and not simply representatives of those family offices.

The programmes of this eight edition are created with the forward-facing and globally-focused business in mind. It will cover topics as diverse and essential as real estate, private equity, venture capital, digital assets, the generation gap, influencing behavioural changes, the role of faith in business, investing in space, championing women in the workplace, the Holy Quran in family management, and the evolution of the Corporate Social Responsibility concept.

Our summits are a great place not only to learn, but also to network and to present opportunities to potential investors in a relaxed and intimate professional environment.

We know how valuable this kind of opportunity can be, so our programme of panels, talks and round table discussions is broken up with strategic breaks for breakfast, lunch, coffee, dinner and cocktails, designed for meeting and mingling with key decision-makers from family offices.

Our story

The Al Duaij family office has a long and glorious history in Kuwait as one of the most prominent and respected business forces.

The Al Duaij family business, Alea Global, has won several awards including The European Award, and the CEO Award two years running. Head of the family office, Mohammad Al Duaij, has won the Man of the Year award for his work building international business relationships.

Through their networks, they have formed strong personal and professional relationships with other family offices across the globe, all sharing much common ground and a willingness to work together.

Mohammad Al Duaij, has been a conference speaker for the past 12 years, appearing at events all over the world. It was during his time touring the conference circuit that Mohammad noticed a gap in the market for events specific to family offices and those who want to meet them.

Bringing together his conference experience, and his special insight into the world’s most prestigious family offices, this conference unites family offices with each other. It also gives business and entrepreneurs unprecedented access to this unique and powerful network.

Esteemed Previous Speakers, some of which included:

We have welcomed royalty and world-renowned business icons to address an intimate gathering of delegates, interspersed with unparalleled networking opportunities.

Previous esteemed speakers

Every edition of the Middle East Family Office Investment Summit attracts prestigious speakers from the Middle East.

Click here to see some of the world class names who have contributed to our previous events.

Previous summit agenda

Day 1: 3 November 2019

Day 2: 4 November 2019

Day 1: 3 November 2019

17:00 Registration, Networking and one-on-one meetings, with Refreshments & Delicacies.

17:55 Welcome

Chairman welcome and Opening Remarks.

18:00 “Entrepreneurial excellence: How Abdullah Al Mutawa builds successful businesses?”

Interview with Abdullah Al Mutawa, Founder, The Taken Seat, Kuwait.

18:25 The Future of Finance

Interview with Karl Soliman, Founder & Managing Partner, Sustany Capital, USA.

18:40 The Next US$ 1 Trillion Gold Mountain Powered by 5G AI IoT.

Presented by Benson Tam, Chairman & Founding Partner, Venturous Group, China.

19:00 Roundtable Discussions

With peer learning and interaction in mind, these 60-minute breakout sessions are designed to promote the sharing of experiences and brainstorming of ideas in facilitated and balanced discussions.

Table 1: Opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurship in the Middle East

Hosted by Abu Dhabi Global Market.

Table 2: Building 10 Smart Towns and smartifying 100 million lives in China

Hosted by Venturous.

Table 3: Alternatives, Income and ESG

Hosted by Nuveen.

Table 4: Software will remain the Fastest Growing Sector globally. Learn how to maximize return from a Silicon Valley insider

Hosted by S28 Capital.

Table 5: URUGUAY INVESTMENT – South America “The smallest on the continent, but it doesn’t matter how small you are if you’re good”

Hosted by Ibracor SRL and Guyer & Regules.

Table 6: ETFs : How they can play a role in your portfolio

Hosted by Invesco.

Table 7: Equity vs. Fixed Income; Structure your very own product to balance risk and return, We show you how

Hosted by AIS Financial Group.

20:00 Planet Rescue Game by The Aster Club

Last month during the UN general assembly in New York, one of the hottest topics was climate change and environmental protection. Everyone is talking about it. But unless we do something, the problems won’t go away.

Together, let’s organize a special mission to rescue the planet. Each group presents a solution and we will select the best ideas and appoint a captain planet.

20:20 Special Networking dinner hosted by The Aster Village

A chance to network in an informal setting and discuss the day’s events over dinner.

Day 2: 4 November 2019

08:30 Registration

Registration, Breakfast and Networking.

9:30 Welcome

Chairman welcome and opening remarks.

09:40 Regional Economic Outlook and Q&A

Presented by Ziad Daoud, Chief Middle East Economist, Bloomberg Economics, UAE.

10:00 The Gulf’s Global Reputation And Its Effect On Local Family Office Investments

– The success stories of Gulf region family offices on the global stage.
– How to harness the Gulf’s growing positive reputation for your own
business.
– A ‘who’s who’ of family offices to connect with in the Gulf region.

Moderator:

Cyba Audi, Founder & Managing Director, Saba Consultants, UAE.

Panelists:

Majed M Al Tahan, Founder & CEO, AYM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Yasser Al Barami, CEO, Mubbadrah Investment, Sultanate Oman.
Fatima Balfaqeeh, Founder & Managing Director, RKAH Consultancy, UAE.
Khalid Al Araimi, Director, Al Siraj Holdings, Sultanate Oman.

10:40 Effective Wealth Preservation And How To Achieve It

– How to assess and minimise risks with a smart investment strategy.
– What restrictions are you working against? The obstacles you face and how to circumnavigate them.
– Diversification is key: how to use it to your advantage.
– Managing international cash movement for wealth preservation.
– Balancing assets and liquidity for flexibility and security.

Moderator:

Zahraa Al Fardan, Integration Leader & Financial Advisor, Al Fardan Group, UAE.

Panelists:

Essam Albakr, CEO & Founder, Ejada Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Talal Al Ajou, Manager of Investment Department, El-Ajou Family Office, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rania Halabi, Halabi Family Office, Lebanon & Africa.

11:05 Education

– What are the different stages and types of educational experience
available today once school is over?
– What are the benefits of higher education, internships and apprenticeships?
– Which should you consider for yourself or your children and why?
– Where are the best places to study around the world for different subjects and specialisms?

Moderator:

Dr. Hisham M. El Seddik, CEO, Porcellan Tiles, UAE.

Panelists:

Salman Gasim, CEO, Swiss Hospitality Company, Board Member, Saudi-Swiss Business Council, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Huda Al Lawati, CIO, Gateway Partners, UAE.
Abdulsalam Alkuwaity, CEO, SEA Ventures, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

11:35 Networking Break

Morning networking coffee break.

12:00 Safe cities technologies – Keeping our life safe and secure

Presented by Amir Groman, CEO, Spire Security Solutions, Global.

12:20 Entrepreneurship and tech sector developments in Abu Dhabi

With the massive Ghadan21 stimulus package, Mubadala/HUB 71 and ADGM initiatives over the last year, Abu Dhabi is emerging as a tech hub, presenting better and better opportunities for families and others to start, partner with and invest in exciting SMEs.

Interview with Martin Tideström, Business Development Director, ADGM, UAE.

12:40 Knowing the differences between impact investment, social enterprise and philanthropy

– Defining the key elements of all three types of funding.
– How to pick the right one, based on your strengths, objectives and needs.
– Case studies outlining the best real world uses of each type of investment.
– Where to start once you’ve decided which option is for you.

Moderator:

Leah Zveglich, Founding Partner, The Aster Club, USA.

Panelists:

Khaled Sharbatly, Managing Partner, Desert Technologies, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hawazen Nazieh Nassief, Environmental, Social, and Governance Director, NESR, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ritesh Shah, CFO, SunFunder, USA.

13:10 The next Big Thing

Our pick of the best investment opportunities for the next 6 months.

13:25 Networking Lunch hosted by Mapletree Investments

A chance to meet and discuss the morning’s sessions over lunch.

14:15 Investing in Culture

– What is cultural investment and how does it work?
– How investing in culture can have huge impact.
– Where to start and how to align your investments with your own values.

Moderator:

Abbas Al Lawati, Breaking News Editor, Bloomberg News, UAE.

Panelists:

Ahmad AR. BinDawood, CEO, Danube & BinDawood, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Celeste Lo Turco, SWFS Expert, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Sara Al Ayed, Co-Founder & Partner, TRACCS, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

14:45 Dealing with conflict in family business

Presented by Rozana Al Tayyar, Executive Board Member, The International Chamber of Commerce, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

15:00 Family offices and their passion for real estate

– Why is it a good idea to invest in real estate?
– A look at some family businesses using real estate investment.
– How to spot a valuable real estate opportunity.
– Considering agricultural real estate investments.
– All about medical office real estate investments.

Moderator:

Basem Abu Dagga, Co-Founder, Aster Club Global Partners, UAE.

Panelists:

Yasser Al Saheal, ASFO (Family Office), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Chua Tiow Chye, Deputy Group CEO, Mapletree Investments, Singapore.

15:25 The Future 2.0: Will the convergence of new cutting-edge technologies open new doors of opportunity?

Presented by Abdalla Kablan, Serial Tech Entrepreneur and Digital Innovation Advisor, Malta.

15:40 Interview with the fastest growing Chinese e-cigarettes company — SnowPlus: exploring the 2 trillion dollar tobacco market in China

Interview with Jimmy Zhong, CEO, SnowPlus, China.

16:00 Networking Break

Afternoon networking coffee break.

16:15 Emerging markets for foreign investments

– Where in the world invest next and why.
– Learn about emerging industries in existing territories.
– A look at new potential region as the new investment opportunity.

Moderator:

Filipe Pacheco, Equities Reporter, Bloomberg News, UAE.

Panelists:

Ahmad Al Ameeri, CEO, Al Ameeri Group Holding, Kuwait.
Rania Halabi, Halabi Family Office, Lebanon & Africa.
Benson Tam, Chairman & Founding Partner, Venturous Group, China.

16:30 The new Technology that will shape our personal and professional lives

Interview with Sheikh Abdulla Zayed Saqr Al Nahyan, Member, The Aster Club, President, S&S Brokerage House, CEO, Dolphin Air, UAE.

16:45 Roundtable sessions hosted by family offices

Table one: Investing in Sports

Hosted by Fares Abi Nader, Single Family Office, Lebanon.

Table two: Education

Hosted by Panoba, UK.

Table three: maximizing return by minimizing doubt in venture capital

Hosted by Jamil Marmarchi, Founding Partner, IMA Venture Co, UK & UAE.

Table Four: Saudi Arabia Investment Environment

Hosted by Khaled Al Maeena, Quartz & Abeer Medical Group, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

17:00 Closing Remarks