Regions first Mergers and Acquisitions conference draws to a close

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• Delegates, speakers agree M&A activities are best business strategy moving forward

 
 
The inaugural Mergers and Acquisitions conference, organized by MEED, the Middle East’s premier business intelligence provider, has officially concluded. The three-day event, which took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 9 December, was the first in the region to focus purely on mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
 
The timely event, themed “Strategies and opportunities for companies to enhance profit and growth in the region”, addressed the concerns resulting from some of the major challenges facing the market today, such as lack of regulations necessary for regional M&A activity, and the lack of transparency and disclosure in the region.
 
The event brought together leaders from major corporations, investment firms, private equity houses and advisors across the Middle East to share their analysis and views on M&A activities undertaken and potential activities in 2010. Some of the region’s leading finance experts, including private equity firms Abraaj Capital, Gulf Capital and Citadel Capital, attended the conference, which came at a critical time as M&A activity in the region has increased by 27% since Q3 and is expected to surge in 2010, as a result of the economic situation.
 
Delegates and speakers at the event shared the view that M&A activities would not only be on the rise in 2010, but would be the best business strategy moving forward. Edmund O’Sullivan, Chairman of MEED Events said: “The global meltdown has changed the dynamic of businesses in all regions and the key to success seems to be M&A. With the right partnerships at fair valuations, with good synergies and value additions in the business, success can be achieved post market-recovery.”
 
Also presenting at the conference, Abdalla Elebiary, Managing Director at Citadel Capital, spoke of the increase in M&A activity. He said: “As more and more international and regional investors turn to emerging economies and valuations become increasingly attractive, we have started to see an increase in M&A activity in the region, and for private equity firms the opportunities are immense.” Elebiary participated in a panel discussion on the future of M&A’s in the region and the important role that private equity will play in making those deals happen.
 
According to a recent MEED survey*, the main barriers in conducting M&A in the region is finance acquisition (52.3%), asset valuation (46.6%) and regulations (40.9%), while the most likely elements to be considered when conducting a deal is cash contribution (50%), bank facilities and bridge/ acquisition financing (46.6%), and equity raising (45.5%). To see the full survey results, visit www.meed.com/events/mergers.
 

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