Bankers Brainstorm on Risk Management strategies for 2015

An Event organized by Nimai Management Consultants (Nimai)

The Middle East Risk Management Conference was held in Dubai on 02 March 2015 at the Raffles Hotel. A one of its kind event, the conference brought together professionals from across the banking fraternity to brainstorm on various aspects of Risk Management. 

The key note address was delivered by Mr D K Mehrotra, Member, Board of Advisors of Nimai and Former Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India. Mr Mehrotra noted, that with growing uncertainties surrounding us since the start of 2015 it was the most opportune time for banks to start thinking about their risk management strategies. The day-long conference began with a session on various types of Risks that a bank faces and some of the key areas within those which the banks should focus on by Mr Ambi Venkateswaran, Member, Board of Advisors of Nimai and former Chief Risk Officer of Mashreq Bank.

In keeping with the growing importance of SME’s, the conference had a dedicated panel discussion on risk management strategies of banks in the fast growing SME segment.

In view of the growing uncertainties surrounding the global oil prices and its immediate impact on the region, there was a special session debating the impact of the current geopolitical and economic issues.

The conference ended with a power packed session on the role of Chief Risk Officers in the current environment. This session was addressed by
•Abhijit Choudhury - Senior Managing Director & Group Chief Risk Officer, National Bank of Abu Dhabi
•Anil Parimoo - Chief Risk Officer, Dubai Islamic Bank
•Jamal Saleh - Head of Risk Management, Commercial Bank of Dubai
•Manoj Chawla - Chief Risk Officer, Emirates NBD

Some of the other prominent speakers at the Conference included:
•Tim Fox, Chief Economist ENBD
•Ravikumar D, Head of SME Credit, ENBD
•Sumit Malik, Head of Credit, NBF
•Mahadevan R, Head of Credit, Business Banking, RAK Bank
•Francis Matthew, Editor at Large, Gulf News

Launch of MERA

The conference also witnessed the launch of MERA ie Middle East Risk Management Alliance, a forum to bring together Risk professionals from the banking sector throughout the Middle East on one platform. The objectives of MERA are To share Market Intelligence & Professional Development, organize relevant Events and Networking, provide Risk related News & Resources

The launch was announced with an unveiling of the MERA logo and a cake cutting ceremony.