Azerbaijan, Baku, March 9 / Trend /
Caspian Banking and Finance, the 6th Caspian International Banking and Finance Conference and Showcase, will take place Apr.13-14 in the Grand Hotel Europe. The conference and showcase are organised by ITE Group Plc (UK) and its partner in the Caucasus, Iteca Caspian. Caspian Banking and Finance is supported by the Central Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic, Association of Banks of Azerbaijan, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The conference is sponsored by the international auditing company PricewaterhouseCoopers and Amrahbank.
The conference is expecting over 200 delegates, including VIPs from the national banks, finance ministries, banking associations and other financial institutions of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and other countries. The speakers at the conference include representatives of key financial structures, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, Association of Banks of Georgia and Association of Russian Banks. Azerbaijan's banking system will be represented by the Association of Banks of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Association of Risk Professionals, Amrahbank, Bank of Baku, Kapital Bank, Pasha Bank, Raiffeisen Zentralbank and Royal Bank, and by insurance, leasing, consulting, legal and auditing firms, and investment banks.
The main theme of the conference will be the impact of the global economic crisis on the region's banking system. The prospects for the development of regional money and capital markets as alternative and efficient sources of raising capital for commercial banks and businesses will also be discussed. This year, for the first time, the issue of Islamic banking will be looked at. One of the main topics of discussion on the second day of the conference will be the "The effectiveness of Islamic banking principles during the crisis and the reasons for this. Specially invited experts from banks in the Middle East will take part in these discussions.
The showcase, which will take place alongside the conference, will feature leading Azerbaijani and companies providing services to banks. The exhibition will present the following sectors: banking and finance, insurance, leasing, investment, capital markets, consulting, audit, information systems for the financial sector, and banking technologies. Visitors will be able to learn about new products and services, special offers, the lending terms of Azerbaijani banks, and get detailed consultations with bank representatives. The participants will announce new small loan programmes and other services for the general public.
The exhibition will not deprive the banks themselves of attention. BankTech, a special sector at the exhibition of particular interest to IT specialists, will present information systems for the financial sector, banking technology, banking software, ATMs, and much more.