Cathy Gibson

Designed for asset managers issuing or considering active ETFs, this peer discussion explores creation/redemption workflows, in-house vs outsourced issuance, and regional market differences. Compare US and European models and examine how trading desks support product success.

The Middle East is emerging as one of the most dynamic growth regions in global equities, with a surge in IPOs, rising liquidity, and rapid structural change. For international asset managers, the opportunity is clear- but so are the complexities. Market access now hinges on trusted broker relationships, managing fragmented post-trade processes, and navigating uneven reform across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. With new initiatives such as omnibus trading, post-trade allocation, and securities borrowing and lending beginning to reshape execution, desks must also weigh the gradual migration from high-touch to low-touch flows. In this fireside chat, a leading emerging market buy-side fund manager and a regional broker will explore how MENA market structure is evolving, what distinguishes local execution dynamics from Europe, and how investors can capture opportunity while managing structural and operational risk