As the UAE prepares for COP28, all eyes are trained on the region as an innovator in the energy transition. We explore:

• The UAE's year of sustainability

• UAE Vision 2031

• How the UAE is positioning itself as a leader in the energy transition

HE Raja Al Mazrouei

CEO, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI)

MENA's regional ECAs promise to reshape the local economy, with strong institutions in the UAE seeking to bolster local business. This session looks at the role of ECAs in boosting UAE outbound business:

- What's happened in the local ECA space since last year?

- How do the UAE's ECAs compare to other international options?

- How will the UAE's ECAs partner with international ECAs and why will this be important?

Natasha Saleh

Project Manager, Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX)

IVAN PEREA

DIRECTOR, Standard Chartered

Majed Julfar

Director of Trade Credit Insurance and Export financing, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI)

Moderator

Manav Futnani

Global Co-Head of Export Finance, HSBC

Closed at $300 million in September 2022, the ECI-backed Zarafshan Wind represents Uzbekistan's first utility-scale wind farm. The 500MW project is a landmark for the region, and this case study gathers dealmakers to consider:

• How will Zarafshan help Uzbekistan meet its goal to derive 25% of its energy needs from renewables by the end of the decade?
• What challenges did dealmakers have to overcome to bring the project to financial close?
• What roles did DFI and ECA coverage play in the transaction?

Zishan Iqbal

Director of MLT and Murabaha Solutions, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI)

Moderator

Jeremy Barker

Counsel, Clifford Chance

Understanding the geopolitical landscape is key to success in any market. We kick off this session with a risk overview of the Middle East, before inviting leaders in trade credit insurance to discuss how they navigate the Middle Eastern market.

• Country by country risk assessment

• How does the trade credit insurance market respond to the Middle Eastern market?

• What cover is available, and what are the key risks that banks look out for when doing business in this region?
• What are banks and corporates looking for from trade credit insurance?

Matthew Burnard

Director, Political and Regulatory Risk, Control Risks, Control Risks

Boris Jaquet

Global Head TF&L Distribution, Deutsche Bank

Matthew Beckett

Executive Director, Head of Insurance Placement, SMBC Bank International plc

Jonathan Bell

Editor-in-chief, TXF

Haitham Al Khazaleh

Director of Risk, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI)