Annual Finance & Accounting International Conference
Managing Securitization for Lebanon and the MENA Region

December 3-4, 2004 — Lebanese American University, School of Business, Irwin Hall, Beirut, Lebanon

Important dates

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Preliminary Program

Conference Objectives: Developing countries provide many opportunities for both issuers and investors alike to participate in emerging financial markets. New laws and regulations have been introduced in many developing nations that effectively allow the process of securitization in such countries as Lebanon and others in the MENA region. As a result, securitization is becoming an effective tool in the corporate restructuring arena of emerging markets. It is often used to enhance corporate liquidity, to generate income and to optimize the usage of capital. It has often been argued that securitization may be becoming a fast low cost mean to effectively raising capital. With that, the role of the international financial market keeps redefining itself.

Yet, the nature and the complexity of the securitization market for developing countries cannot be denied. It is acknowledged that some in the MENA region are still coming to grips with the potential of this financial tool. Others however, are making inroads in the diverse arrays of assets that can be securitized. Both securitization professionals and academicians tend to regard the ever-changing nature of the securitization market as a challenge to keep abreast with the market itself and its growth potential. Issuers, investors and practitioners alike understand the vital importance this financial tool can offer and the need this conference would be able to fulfill.

The aim of the FAIC series this year is then to provide that forum for both academic and practitioner’s debate over the unique nature and the future potential of securitization in Lebanon and the MENA region. This conference is intended to be interdisciplinary. It is configured to bring together academics, finance and accounting professionals, as well as policy makers who have an interest in, wish to learn more, or discuss issues in securitization as it potentially applies to Lebanon and the MENA region. Your perspective may be international, regional or local. The conference welcomes contributions and papers from anyone on this important issue or any related topics.

Conference Program: The conference program has 2 key-note speakers, 8 technical papers presented by industry experts and academicians in the field, each followed by a Q&A session, two separate theme-oriented panel discussions, coffee brakes, with lunch on the first day and a Gala dinner at the end of the first conference day. An exhibition hall is available for sponsoring organizations.

Keynote Speakers:

Paper Sessions: Eight technical papers will be presented by eight main speakers in the industry from seven international companies around the world extended over the period of two days. The papers will be presented on the topics of securitization and issues of accounting, marketing, credit, legality, deal structuring, financial architectures for developing countries, derivatives, Sukouk Structures and the implications of the Basel II securitization framework and assessment. Each technical paper will be followed by a Q&A session.

Confirmed Speakers Organization Subject
Ms. Effie Psalida International Monetary Fund Assessing Public Sector Borrowing Collateralized on Future Flow Receivables
Dr. Zuhayr Mikdashi HEC Lausanne Private Equity Funds and their securitization
Mr. Alain Bifani, Director General Ministry of Finance, Republic of Lebanon Securitization with the Lebanese Government: Means and Opportunities
Dr. Dilip Ratha The World Bank Future Flow Securitization
Mr. Suhass Ketkar, VP and Senior Economist Royal Bank of Scotland Future Flow Securitization
Mr. Vinod KotharyVinod Kothary Securitization: Opportunities and Issues for Lebanon and the MENA Region

Accounting for securitization
Dr. Gabriel PalmaCambridge U.International Financial Architecture
Professor Iad Boustani, Executive VPBSEC Credit Enhancement Techniques and Financial Structures
Maître Stéphan Alamowitch, Attorney at Law, Paris BarOrrickThe French Securitization Law and Lebanon
Dr. Tariquallah Khan ISDB Sukouk Structures and Basel II securitization framework
Mr. Ibrahim Mardam-Bey BSEC Securitization, Fundamental Markets and Marketing
Mr. Adel Satel Moody’s Moody’s approach to rating securitized transactions

Note: The speaker and schedule order are subject to additions and changes.

Panel discussions: Two panel discussions provide that interdisciplinary forum for both academic and practitioner’s debate over the unique nature and the future potential of securitization in Lebanon and the MENA region. It is configured to bring together academics, finance and accounting professionals in the field, as well as policy makers who have an interest in or wish to discuss issues in securitization as it potentially applies to Lebanon and the MENA region.

Exhibition: Special display areas would be available for the sponsoring organizations of the conference.

Gala Dinner: The Gala dinner provides an opportunity for the participants and professionals to share ideas, a way of continuing discussions/information exchange with prominent speakers and a good networking session for all.