Presented by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), MEFX will be held from 1st - 3rd June, 2008 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The event will bring together professionals from financial technology companies and financial service providers in a wide range of sectors including banking and brokerage, Islamic finance, wealth management, asset management and capital markets.

Over 70 participating companies from 20 countries will showcase advancements in products, technologies and services in the financial industry.

Several international companies are participating in the exhibition, in an effort to tap into the rapid expansion of the banking and finance sector in the region.

The UAE banking sector is the largest in the GCC, and its annual growth rate of 35% exceeds the country's GDP growth rate.

Leading companies like Orion Tradesoft (UAE), Temenos (Switzerland), NCR Corporation (US), Wincor Nixdorf (Germany) and Olivetti (Italy) will showcase their latest solutions for financial markets, customer facing technologies and enterprise applications, making MEFX an invaluable sourcing and procurement platform for the industry.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the DWTC, commented that:

"As the regional financial industry continues its unprecedented growth, we are delighted to create an annual fixture in the event calendar to facilitate the networking of the region's market leaders and emerging players with global suppliers in financial technologies and services."

"MEFX will evolve to be a most productive platform to accelerate the product and knowledge exchange within the regional financial community to ensure it keeps abreast of the dynamic momentum of development."

Abdulla Al Awar, Managing Director of DIFC Authority added that:

"The launch of MEFX comes at a time when the regional financial market is entering a new phase of development. Overall economic growth has enhanced the financial industry and markets within the region have become vital for global financial institutions seeking to grow."

"MEFX provides a great opportunity for industry professionals to share ideas and best practices that will foster further growth in the industry. DIFC is supporting MEFX as part of its objective of promoting financial business events that showcase new products, technologies and initiatives that can drive industry development."

Amongst the other issues addressed at the event, a specialised session will focus on the Islamic Finance market, which is growing at a phenomenal rate of 20% annually.

The session will feature Naveed Ahmad, Head of Investments, Dubai Islamic Bank, who will discuss Wealth Management Solutions and Shari'ah compliant products for high-net-worth individuals.

Other thought leaders who will speak at the event include Ghazanfar Naqvi, Director, Islamic Products, Saadiq, UAE; Susan Duncan, Financial Leader, IBM; and Professor Stephan Szymanski from the Cass Business School, London.

MEFX is being sponsored by Dubai Outsource Zone, Etisalat, IBM, EastNets, Emcredit, CNBC Arabia, The Monarch Dubai, Emirates Business 24/7 and Emirates Airlines.