‘GCC Regional Conference – 2010, Global Financial Markets – The Road Ahead’ on Thursday 14th January 2010 and Friday 15th January 2010 at the Diplomat Radisson Hotel in Manama, Bahrain organized by the Bahrain Chapter of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

1. The Institute of Chartered Accountant of India
Bahrain Chapter
GCC Regional Conference 2010
Global Financial Markets:
The Road Ahead
January 14-15, 2010
The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain

2. GCC Regional Conference 2010
Global Financial Markets: The Road Ahead
January 14-15, 2010 • The Diplomat Raddisson Blu Hotel, Bahrain
“The basic economic resource is no longer capital, nor natural resources, nor labour; it is and will be knowledge.”
Peter Drucker.
2009 has been a tough year for the financial markets. As the world economy begins to show signs of recovery, financial experts
have shifted gears in determining key rising markets and the effects of the fiscal stimulus by governments and how they can
identyfy new, growing trends. Proper investment is not an easy process. It requires a systematic approach. It needs foresight. It
needs planning. Through the ICAI’s Regional GCC Conference, experts will identify the benefits in identifying key financial markets
and the outlook that 2010 holds for the global economy.

3. World Stock Markets – An Overview
The stock markets have become a buzzword in the modern world. In fact, the stock market
mechanism has a pervasive impact on so many across the globe – irrespective of their education,
occupation or financial background. Gone are the days when stock markets were restricted only
to those few people who were market savvy. With the advent of computerized networking and
internet technology, trading in shares and derivatives has become accesible to all investor.
The Global Financial meltdown had its effect in the Asian markets too. The Indian stock market,
which was cruising at more than 20,000 points before the crisis, plunged into a low of 8,000 in the
thick of the crisis. However, it has slowly and steadily recouped itself and is back and doing well at
more than 17,000 points towards the end of 2009. Similarly, the Shanghai stock exchange, which
was an all-time high of 6,124 points on October 2007, slipped by 65% to reach an all time low
during the financial crisis. The GCC markets have equally suffered. However, stock markets have
now started to show signs of recovery.

4. World Commodity Market: An Overview
Ever since the subprime crisis global equity and bond markets have been headed south. The forex markets have
also seen uncertainty due to dollar volatility and weakness. The commodity markets have moved out of sync and
moved up as other assets depreciated. This is true for several ranges of commodities.
There are specific reasons for the high price of particular commodities. Base metals such as copper, energy
(crude oil, natural gas) and bullion (gold and silver) have traditionally been the biggest constituents of the
commodity futures trading. The UN body, UNCTAD has quoted NCDEX as the third largest exchange trading in
agricultural futures in the world.

5. Bahrain: Regional Financial Hub
Comparing Bahrain to other Asian economies, Bahrain too has been regarded as one of the best-
regulated financial centres in the Middle East and is the region’s financial capital for over four
decades. The Financial services industry has more then 400 licensed financial institutions which
contributes about 27.6% of Bahrain’s GDP. These institutions are supervised and monitored by
the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). The CBB is considered to be one of the finest regulators in the
Arab World and has been promoting the highest standards of corporate governance, regulation,
dynamism, license management and operational efficiency. Bahrain has several major investors,
entrepreneurs, high net-worth individuals and business houses who are keen on promoting
Bahrain’s Vision 2030 Master Plan.

6. Objective of the Conference
Considering the statistics above and recent trends and historical data about the world stock markets,
the following questions need to be asked:
• Is the worst over? Whether Investors have rediscovered some appetite for risk. Are rising
stock market sustainable?
• Role and effect of Fiscal Stimulus: Fiscal policies and plans, being drafted by various
economies and regulators, have resulted in stimulating the global economy, thus reducing
the depth of the downturn and fueling recovery.
• Green Shoots: What are the signs of recovery?
• Strategies for investors: Developed markets or emerging market? Defensive or growth
stocks? Invest or book profits?
The ICAI Bahrain has taken the initiative to give us an opportunity to learn from astute and
experience investors in India and the Middle East who understand the markets. ICAI Bahrain is
planning to listen to the words of wisdom of these prodigies during the GCC Regional Conference
– 2010, which is scheduled to be held on January 14-15, 2010, at The Diplomat Radisson Blu
Hotel, Manama. This would be a landmark event in the Kingdom of Bahrain wherein the stage
would be shared by so many great personalities. This would indeed be a great opportunity for
several prospective corporate houses that are looking forward to establishing their representative
offices in investor-friendly Bahrain. This conference would also provide an opportunity to enhance
business ties between Bahrain and India.

7. What’s in store for you?
Value Addition
This conference will be of value to all those who:
• Indulge in financial markets
• Needs to understand the impact of the financial crisis on markets
• Comprehend the effect of corrective and regulatory measures on the markets
• Learn from the stalwarts, the tricks and nuances of the global and Asian markets
Networking
You will have the opportunity to meet up with the eminent dignitaries from various leading:
• Regulatory bodies and institutions
• Renowned professionals from diversified industries
CPE Hours
BCICAI has applied for 12 CPE hours Credit
The conference will also prove to be a great ground to share knowledge, discuss real-time issues
with experienced professionals and gain advantage of the collective experience all our eminent
speakers and delegates.

8. Conference Chairperson
CA Uttam Prakash Agarwal
President, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
CA Agarwal is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Accounting Standards constituted by the Ministry
of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. He is alos a member of the Audit Advisory Board and the Government
Accounting Standards Advisory Board – both constituted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. He
is a member on the Committee on Internal Audit constituted by the Office of Controller General of Accounts,
Government of India.
Guest of Honour
Dignitary from Central Bank of Bahrain or Bahrain Stock Exchange
Chief Guest
Mr. R. Bandyopadhyay
Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India
Mr. R. Bandyopadhyay is the Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Goverment of India. An IAS officer of
1974 batch, he has worked in various capacities in the spheres of Planning & Programme implementation, Energy,
Power, Communication & IT, Commerce and Industry. Before joining the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, he was the
Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises.

9. January 14, 2010
De-risking of Financial Markets - Perspective and Approach
4.30 PM 5.30 PM Registration and Welcome
5.30 PM 6.00 PM Inauguration
5.30 PM 9.00 PM Key Note Speeches
9.00 PM Onwards Indian Folk Dance & Dinner
Dignitaries and Key Note Speakers – Day One
Mr. C B Bhave*
Chairman, SEBI
Mr. C. B. Bhave is chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
He was appointed in February 2008 for a period of three years. He was SEBI’s
senior executive director from 1992-1996, following which he became Chairman
and Managing Director of the then newly created National Securities Depository
Limited (NSDL).
Ms. Usha Thorat*
Deputy Governor, RBI
Ms. Usha Thorat is Deputy Governor and Director of Reserve Bank Of India. She
serves as a Director of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Her
responsibilities cover currency management, rural banking, micro finance and
financial inclusion, regulation/supervision of cooperative banks, customer service
and internal audit/inspection. She is the Chairperson of the Bharatiya Reserve Bank
Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL), which manages two of the four currency
note printing presses in the country.
CA Keki M. Mistry*
Managing Director, HDFC Bank, Ltd.
Mr. Keki Mistry is Managing Director of HDFC Bank Ltd and has been with HDFC for
over 20 years. Mr. Keki Mistry holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Advanced
Accountancy and Auditing and is also a Chartered Accountant. He has also worked
as a consultant for the Mauritius Housing Company and Asian Development Bank.
Mr. Mistry is Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Housing Development Finance
Corporation Limited and Chairman of GRUH Finance Limited.
* Confrimation awaited

10. January 15, 2010
Towards a Mature Financial Market –
Global Perspective on Equity Cult and Commodities
9.00 AM 1.00 PM Key Note Speeches
1.00 PM 2.00 PM Lunch
2.00 PM 5:30 PM Key Note Speeches
5:30 PM 6:00 PM Valedictory Session
Key Note Speakers – Day Two
CA Anand Rathi
Founder & Chairman, Anand Rathi Investment Bank
Prior to establishing his own company, Mr. Rathi headed Indian Rayon & Industries,
as Senior President. He has held a series of responsible positions with the Birla group
and was also instrumental in setting up of Birla Global Finance. In his 40 years of being
in the corporate world, Mr. Rathi has held several key positions on various regulatory
and professional boards, including, President, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and
Member, Central Council of Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAI).
Mr. Anthony C. Mallis
Chief Executive Officer of SICO
He is a CEO of Securities & Investment Company (SICO), a Bahrain based investment
bank. Anthony has over 30 years’ international banking experience. Prior to joining
SICO he was a partner in a London-based private equity firm focusing on the Middle
East. Mr. Mallis has held senior positions at Credit Suisse Asset Management and
its predecessor CSFB Investment Management as a Director responsible for Global
Marketing, he was also Head of Institutional and Government clients for the Arab
World at Bankers Trust Company, where he was responsible for leading a number of
investment banking transactions in the Gulf Region. He also worked with Gulf
International Bank and Citibank in Bahrain, London and Riyadh. He is a board
member of ABQ Zawya and until recently was a Board member of the Bahrain
Bankers Association. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from
the American University of Beirut, and has attended the Stanford Business School’s
Stanford Executive Program”.

11. CA Bharat Shah
CEO & Managing Director, ASK Investment
CA Bharat Shah is CEO and Managing Director of ASK investment. He is C.A., C.W.A.,
MBA (IIM Cal) and has total experience of 22 years of which last 18 years have been
spent on work related to capital markets while the remaining period is in the area of
corporate finance and accounts. Prior to the present role he has worked for 8 years
as CIO (Chief Investment Officer) of Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd., Mumbai.
CA Shivkumar Goel
Managing Director, Bonanza Financial Services
Being the Founder Director of Bonanza, he has been handling IT &
risk initiatives since inception. Formerly, designated as the CEO of SRF
Finance Limited, Delhi; Mr. Shivkumar Goel had also spearheaded the IT
committee of the Delhi Stock Exchange. A CA & CS with more than 30 years
of experience, he recently was nominated as the executive committee
member of Depository Participants Association of India. He is currently a
functional member with Association of National Exchanges Members of India.
CA Arnav Pandya
Certified financial planner and columnist
CA Arnav Pandya is Chartered Accountants, MBA from IIM Bangalore and certified
financial planner. He is regular columnist and contributor on financial topics for
publications like Hindustan Times, Business Standard, and Economic Times. He led
the research team in the Economic Times Intelligence Group during 2001-2006. He
started columns like “The Buck Starts Here” and “Odds on Eve” in The Economic
Times. He is author of content for 10 educational CDs on various areas of personal
finance.

12. Conference Hosted by:
Executive Committee of
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India - Bahrain Chapter
Position Name Telephone Email
Chairman CA Alok Gupta 39528050 alokbahrain@gmail.com
Vice-Chairman CA Shaukat Lokhandwala 39850739 shaukat33@gmail.com
Secretary CA CA Gopalakrishnan 39224238 gopalakrishnanca@hotmail.com
Jt. Secretary CA TD Balraj 39944907 balrajtd@gmail.com
Treasurer CA Sanjay Gupta 39415356 sgupta_trc@yahoo.com
Member CA Rajeev Jain 36685678 rajeev.jain@citi.com
Member CA Ruchir Shah 36686104 ruchir.shah@americanexpress.com.bh
Member CA Mukta Kulkarni 17222470 muktakulkarni@kpmg.com
Member CA Nitin Mahajan 39784087 nitinmahajanca@rediffmail.com
Event Managed by: