Magazine issues»Spring 2016

ColumnsThe lifting of sanctions led to a rush of asset managers hoping to invest money in Iran. But despite the excitement, many hurdles remain. George Mitton reports.

Payam-MalayeriForeigners are said to account for just 0.5% of ownership on Iran’s stock market, but that could soon change if companies such as Griffon Capital have their way. George Mitton talks to Payam Malayeri, its head of asset management.

Old manIn 2015, sharia-compliant funds suffered their worst sales in four years. Some blame a lack of innovation for the poor growth of the sector. Sharmila Devi reports.

DoctorsOil prices and volatile markets mean few companies in the Middle East want to go public. How long before this drought of IPOs ends? George Mitton reports.

Head-to-headWith a fragile currency, plunging returns on mining stocks, and fears of a downgrade to ‘junk’ status, there was plenty to discuss when Funds Global visited South Africa. Chaired by George Mitton and Alan Chalmers in Cape Town.

Leon-CampherLeon Campher has been a fixture of South Africa’s asset management industry for decades. George Mitton meets the charismatic chief executive of the country’s fund industry association in Cape Town.

Pages

Opinion

Change brings progress and long-term opportunities in Saudi Arabia

Saudi_ArabiaNaomi Waistell, an emerging markets fund manager at Polar Capital, analyses change in Saudi Arabia – a hydrocarbon country with green ambitions and which is set on a major economic...

New income streams

Romil_PatelAlthough it is awash with oil and, therefore, capital, the Gulf region is at a critical juncture: it must diversify its...

Executive Interviews

INTERVIEW: ‘Financing is the blood of Iran’s economy’

Amid a fresh wave of American sanctions, Romil Patel spoke to Meysam Hamedi, director of financial markets and instruments at Iran’s Securities & Exchange Organization (SEO).

INTERVIEW: Totally mega

In 2016, global consulting firm PWC forecast the emergence of five global ‘megatrends’ in the next two decades. Stephen Anderson, its Middle East clients and markets leader, talks about their...

INTERVIEW: Protecting the investment

Rasmala’s trade finance fund recently passed $100 million in assets. Doug Bitcon, head of credit strategies, explains why he has to be hands-on.

EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW: A natural interest in the topic

Since 2016, Guillermo Ortiz has been a chairman of Latin America’s BTG Pactual. The former central banker of Mexico talks to Nick Fitzpatrick.

Roundtables

Middle East Investor Roundtable 2020: Dimensions of diversification

Investors in the Middle East consider the tools that will be needed to navigate the Covid-19 crisis, the continued appetite for dividend and why it’s all about tech. Chaired by Romil Patel.

South Africa asset management roundtable: Global rebound on ice

Experts discuss the investment implications of the coronavirus pandemic, a delayed rebound in global growth and dealing with South Africa’s energy issues head on. Chaired by Romil Patel in Cape Town.

South African roundtable: Taking the bull by the horns

Our panel discusses Chinese investment in Africa, financial institutions’ contribution to economic sustainability and regulatory concerns. Chaired by Romil Patel in Cape Town.

ROUNDTABLE: Hooked to the global caravan

With the MENA region at a tipping point, our panellists talk about economic diversification, the impact of regulation and the delayed Saudi Aramco listing. Chaired by Romil Patel in Dubai.