HKUST MBA Alumni Association

THE NEW SILK ROAD

- TRADE BETWEEN CHINA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Friday, 25 June 2010, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Hong Kong Club Building, Central, Hong Kong

Over the past decade, relations between China and the Middle East has strengthened primarily due to oil trade
and the rising middle class’ demand for cheap products to the extent a clear rise of a "New Silk Road" has
emerged. In 2009, China's exports to the Middle East were worth $60 billion overtaking the US as the world's
largest exporter to that region, while the Silk Road's share of global economy rose from 14% to 33% over the
past thirty years. Our speaker will share his insight based on four years of intensive onsite research from first-
hand accounts in Beijing, Cairo and Riyadh, economic analysis, and news from the Arabic- and Chinese-language
press. He will also examine the rapid growth in trade and investment links, China’s intellectual influence, the
role Islam plays in this relationship and the implications for Islamic finance. Join us for an informative
presentation, interactive Q&A session, an excellent networking opportunity*.

OUR SPEAKER
Ben Simfendorfer, Chief China Economist, Royal Bank of Scotland
After five years as Senior China Economist for JPMorgan Chase, Simfendorfer joined RBS as the region’s
leading economist. He speaks fluent Arabic and Chinese and has lived in Beirut, Damascus, Beijing and Hong
Kong. His editorials have appeared in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, and the International
Herald Tribune and authored “*The New Silk Road: How A Rising Arab World Is Turning Away From The West
And Rediscovering China.” He has presented extensively on China’s relations with the Middle East at the U.S.
State Department, Council on Foreign Relations and CSIS, among other institutions.

*SPECIAL OFFER! The New Silk Road: How A Rising Arab World Is Turning Away From The West
and Rediscovering China published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2009 and available in all good bookstores and
via online retailers. See also: www.silkroadeconomy.com
Pre- & at event order form for $190 price (vs. $224): send your request to benno.jaeggi@gmail.com

EVENT DETAILS

Venue: Rm. 1501- 02, 15/F HK Club Bldg, 3A Chater Road, Central (MTR: Central, AIA Bldg)

Date: Friday, 25 June 2010

Time: 6:30 pm registration, networking session
7:00 pm onwards presentation and discussion (ends before 8.00 pm)

Price: $100 early bird & HKUST students/$150 door. Pre-registration essential. Payment details
below. Cost covers snacks, beverages and presentation materials

RSVP: By Wednesday 23rd June by email to mbaaa@ust.hk your name, email, mobile number,
company name, name of guests and payment notification^.
^ Bank-in/transfer funds to Hang Seng Bank (024), HKUST MBA Alumni Association, A/C No. 371-004730-
668. THEN send bank-in slip/receipt with your name, contact no. & email, stating “IBFN Event” by fax to
2705.9596 or by email to mbaaa@ust.hk. Please state if receipt is required.

Islamic Banking & Finance Network in Hong Kong (IBFN): Founded in Feb 2009 and driven by professionals from the banking, finance
and insurance industries. IBFN aims to encourage participants to learn about Islamic banking and finance topics and keep updated on market
and academic developments over infformal networking sessions and presentations. Keep updated on events on Facebook & Linkedin or receive
emails by sending us your name, company & mobile number to hkislamicbanking@gmail.com.
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology MBA Alumni Association (HKUST MBAA): Founded in 1995, the group focuses on
providing ongoing networking events, learning opportunities via seminars and workshops, and provide support and access to resources for
alumni of the EMBA and MBA programs of HKUST.s