THEME - From distress to financial resilience: Keys to successful business turnarounds

  • 17 - 18 February 2025
  • Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

MENA region's foremost gathering for

Reviving Businesses,
Reimagining Debt,
Redefining Opportunity

From distress to financial resilience:
Keys to successful business turnarounds

  • 28-29 April 2027
  • Abu Dhabi
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Strategic Partner

Strategic Partner

About Event

Event Overview

The 4th Annual Financial Restructuring MENA Conference once again reinforced its position as the region’s leading platform for corporate restructuring, special assets management, distressed investing, and business recovery. Hosted by the Ministry of Justice, – UAE, the conference brought together an unprecedented gathering of senior government officials, regulators, central banks, capital market authority, leading financial institutions, private credit providers, investors, corporates, insolvency practitioners, and restructuring experts from across the MENA region and international markets. The conference was inaugurated by H.E. Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice of the United Arab Emirates, whose keynote address reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to strengthening its restructuring and insolvency framework and fostering a resilient business environment aligned with global best practices.

FRC 2027 Objectives

  • Biggest regional platform connecting large corporates and family offices seeking to navigate insolvency, as well as lenders seeking to optimize their balance sheets with best-in-class restructuring advisories, distressed market investors and law firms
  • Optimize financial restructuring practices in the region by deep diving into varied, high value cases from the Middle East and international markets
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Event

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Sponsor

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From distress to

financial resilience:

Keys to successful business turnarounds

  • Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
  • 17 - 18 February 2025

Opening

Keynote By

H.E. Abdullah Sultain Bin Awad Al Nuaimi

Minister of Justice UAE

Opening

Keynote By

H.E. Abdullah Sultain Bin Awad Al Nuaimi

Minister of Justice UAE

PARTNERS

Strategic Partner
Supporting Partner

In today’s economic environment, ensuring that businesses facing financial challenges have access to effective restructuring tools remain a key priority. At the Ministry of Justice, we are committed to creating a strong and balanced restructuring framework. One that protects businesses, preserves value and safeguards the interests of creditors and the wider economy. The UAE has introduced significant reforms in recent years, including the updated bankruptcy and financial restructuring laws. These frameworks are designed to encourage companies to restructure effectively to possible avoid liquidation

Fatima Mohamed Al Mutawa

Head of Financial Reorganization
and Bankruptcy Unit,
Ministry of Justice UAE

Insights

Market Overview

Home to the world’s fastest growing economies, the MENA region presents an interesting playground – one that is marked by unprecedented opportunities and rapid growth trajectories, which inadvertently also brings challenges that demand adaptability and strategic course corrections on the way. The region presents a diverse restructuring environment, with relatively new but rapidly evolving insolvency regimes that strive to be at par with its international counterparts at global best practices, while also offering well developed informal workout platforms allowing lenders and corporates to come together and achieve successful debt restructuring.

The MENA region is also home to a burgeoning market for distressed investments, with around USD 60 billion of corporate debt expected to mature by 2026, attracting leading hedge funds and private credits globally to expand operations to the Middle East.

“Many thanks to Great Minds Group for organizing such a brilliant and well attended conference! It was a privilege for IFC to sponsor this event.”

Luigi Orlandi

Chief Special Operations Officer,
International Finance Corporation,
Austria

About Event

Conference Overview

The 4th Annual Financial Restructuring MENA Conference once again reinforced its position as the region’s leading platform for corporate restructuring, special assets management, distressed investing, and business recovery. Hosted by the Ministry of Justice, – UAE, the conference brought together an unprecedented gathering of senior government officials, regulators, central banks, capital market authority, leading financial institutions, private credit providers, investors, corporates, insolvency practitioners, and restructuring experts from across the MENA region and international markets. The conference was inaugurated by H.E. Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice of the United Arab Emirates, whose keynote address reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to strengthening its restructuring and insolvency framework and fostering a resilient business environment aligned with global best practices.

FRC 2026 Objectives

  • Biggest regional platform connecting large corporates and family offices seeking to navigate insolvency, as well as lenders seeking to optimize their balance sheets with best-in-class restructuring advisories, distressed market investors and law firms
  • Optimize financial restructuring practices in the region by deep diving into varied, high value cases from the Middle East and international markets
Read More...

Attend
Event

Join as a
Sponsor

Download 2025
Post Event Report

Event in
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Speakers
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Media Partners
0

Highlight

Event Highlight Videos

Highlights

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Reception

Cocktail Reception

The Financial Restructuring MENA Conference is well known for convening the who’s who of the financial industry, and providing the perfect platform to foster networking and strategic relationship building. The exclusive rooftop cocktail reception held post conference at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers provided the perfect setting to take these interactions further, paving the way for strengthening new ties, and building strategic business partnerships, reiterating FRC’s growing standing as one of the region’s most significant networking events.

Insights

Market Outlook

Market Outlook - KSA
Market Outlook - UAE (1)
Market Outlook - Qatar
Market Outlook - Oman

“I am super pleased to be taking part again at FRC. It’s a really good platform in bringing together restructuring professionals, banks, corporates who are here to learn from each other and to connect.”

Mo Farzadi

Business Restructuring & Turnaround Partner
PwC, U.A.E.

Attendee Profile

Country Breakdown

Join as a Partner
Register as a Delegate

SCHEDULE

What’s NEW in the 3rd Edition?

Introducing Live Restructuring Clinic

An interactive session by corporates for corporates. Featured speakers include Balaji Natarajan, Group Chief Financial Officer, Binladin International Holding Group, Bruno Navarro, Chief Restructuring Officer, Averda and Mike Grant, Former Chief Restructuring Officer, Drake & Scull

Complex Restructurings from MENA

UAE – Focused case discussions on Emirates Hospital Group, Azmeel, Arkad among others.

Saudi Arabia – Discussions centered around Arkad

Complex Restructurings from International Markets

Listen to Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport’s Restructuring

Insolvencies from political instability in Ukraine, Armenia & Venezuela

Meet Prominent Large Corporates from MENA

Meet the C-suite from Bin Ladin Holding Group, Emirates Hospitals Group, Averda, JBF RAK, Drake & Scull International PJSC, NMC Healthcare, KBBO, Arkad, Azmeel Group among others

Increased International Stakeholder Presence

Meet & listen to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Deutsche Bank among others.

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EXPERTS

Conference Speakers 2026

Fatima Almutawa

Head of Financial Reorganization and Bankruptcy Unit

Ministry of Justice UAE

Amer Khansaheb

Chief Executive Officer

Union Properties

Dr. Zekeriyya Gemici

Executive Vice President

Strategy & Growth
Tasnee

Waseem Al-Sourani

Managing Partner

Baseline Alignment Solutions

Elie Fakhoury

Senior Managing Director

Teneo

Vikas Papriwal

Senior Managing Director

FTI Consulting

Naveen Sabharwal

Managing Director – Distressed Investments

Davidson Kempner

Simon Ballard

Managing Director and Chief Economist

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Ahmed Fathi Al Kilani

Board Member

Tabarak Investment

Yasmine Calil

Managing Director, Portfolio Management and Structuring

Christofferson Robb & Company

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SCHEDULE

Event Agenda 2026

  • Day 1 - 17 June 2026

09:10 – 09:20

Opening remarks by Conference Chairman

  • Bruno Navarro, Managing Director, Ipso Facto

09:20 – 09:35

Opening keynote address

  • H.E. Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice UAE

09:35 – 10:05

Opening Regulators’ Panel:  Building a resilient financial ecosystem - Strengthening business recovery, market stability and investor confidence across MENA

  • Enhancing business rescue and restructuring frameworks to preserve economic value and support business continuity
  • Safeguarding financial stability through proactive credit risk management and effective NPL resolution
  • Unlocking dormant capital and strengthening market confidence through effective asset recovery and investor protection

Moderator:

  • Mohammed Al Dhaheri, Partner – Dispute Resolution, Hadef & Partners

Panellists:

  • Fatima Almutawa, Head, Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Unit, Ministry of Justice UAE
  • Adel Marzooqi, Chief Legal Counsel, Central Bank of the UAE
  • Khalid Al-Shamma, Head of Uncollected Dividends Section, Capital Market Authority

10:05 – 10:20

Global & GCC macroeconomic outlook: Repositioning for growth amid global geo-economic uncertainties

Speaker:

  • Simon Ballard, Managing Director and Chief Economist, First Abu Dhabi Bank

10:20 – 11:10

Official exhibition opening and networking coffee break

  • Day 2 - 18 June 2026

09:00 – 09:05

Opening remarks by Conference Chairman

  • Bruno Navarro, Managing Director, Ipso Facto

09:05 – 09:35

Fireside chat: From Legislation to implementation – Evaluating the new UAE bankruptcy law in practice

Moderator:

  • Fatima Almutawa, Head of Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Unit, Ministry of Justice UAE

Panelists:

  • Mohammed Al Dhaheri, Partner – Dispute Resolution, Hadef & Partners
  • Fatima Marzooq Ali Al Ali, Trustee

09:35 – 09:45

Introduction to IWIRC: The importance of inclusive leadership in the Middle East restructuring and insolvency ecosystem

Speaker:

  • Jennifer Frenis, Director, Deloitte

09:45 – 10:25

Panel: The capital lifeline – The critical role of distressed lending in corporate comebacks

  • Discussing how private credit funds and alternative lenders are meeting the capital requirement of corporates coming out of restructuring, and reshaping financing dynamics in the MENA
  • Top strategies to incentivize banks to provide liquidity and support debtors through restructuring
  • Effective approaches to risk allocation, covenant design, and alignment between creditors and borrowers
  • Latest trends, emerging sectors, and regional variations in distressed lending across MENA

Moderator:

  • Raihan Shaikh-Khaleel, Managing Director, Swinton Advisors

Panelists:

  • Mubashir Mukadam, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer, Blantyre Capital
  • Suhaib Aref, Senior Manager – Debt Restructuring, Saudi Awwal Bank
  • James Long, Senior Managing Director, FTI Consulting
  • Husni Mousli, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Click to View Full Agenda

“Many thanks to the organisers for delivering such a well-attended and insightful conference. It was a pleasure to share our insights into the evolving distressed asset management and restructuring environment in the region”

Sam Gidoomal

Head of Middle East Financial Services,
Alvarez & Marsal

SPONSORS

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Networking Partner

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Book a Stand

PARTNERS

Sponsors & Partners 2026

Strategic Resolution Partner

FINANCIAL ADVISORY PARTNER

Turnaround & NPL Advisory Partner

Lunch Sponsor

LEGAL PARTNER

SILVER PARTNER

Silver Sponsor

Join as a Sponsor
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PATRONS

Become a Partner at FRC 2027

  • Network with CEOs, CROs and heads of special assets from the largest banks by assets in the MENA region
  • Meet CFOs from large corporates in distress currently exploring turnaround and corporate restructuring solutions
  • Meet leading distressed market investors with interest in MENA’s growing NPL market
  • Find out about NPL sale options from the MENA banks and market opportunities
  • Showcase your international and regional expertise in front of a room full of your target clientele
  • Promote the business conduciveness of the MENA countries in front of international organisations looking to set shop or expand operations in the Middle East

If you are a restructuring advisory, law firm, distressed market investor or offer solutions enabling debt restructuring or NPL management and would like to showcase your work, please contact us on partnerships@gmevents.ae.

FEEDBACKS

Testimonials

“Very happy to be at ADGM again - The Capital of Capitals, talking about the restructuring market in the Middle East at the 3rd Financial Restructuring MENA Conference. We have been sponsors for the past few years and I am very proud of that.
This market has been evolving over the last couple of years, we now have frameworks both in the UAE and Saudi that are allowing financial restructuring to take place in a much more robust and efficient manner, and this conference is a great way to bring together all the stakeholders - legal, financial, operational and bankers in one place…”
It’s almost come to a stage where anyone who is in the financial restructuring industry is looking forward to participate in this event. It’s a great improvement year on year in terms of content, speakers as well as the flow of topics. Looking forward to many more of these events.”
Elie Fakhoury
Elie FakhourySenior Managing Director,
Teneo
“The conference was a great success just based on the number of people attending and the fact that many had travelled a long way to attend”
Mike Grant
Mike GrantFormer Chief Restructuring Officer,
Drake & Scull International PJSC,
U.A.E.
“We are very grateful to have attended such intense restructuring conference with a wide range of topics. I personally learned a lot and was impressed about the quality and numbers of participants”
Francois Vidal
Francois VidalDeputy Head of Division – Restructuring & Resolutions,
European Investment Bank (EIB),
Luxembourg
“A great panel of speakers and a very well organised event”
Debashis Dey
Debashis DeyPartner,
White & Case,
U.A.E.
“The importance of a conference like the Financial Restructuring MENA Conference is that it brings together the entire restructuring ecosystem; —banks, corporates, investors, advisors, lawyers, and regulators, to exchange perspectives, build relationships, and collectively drive the market forward. For companies, the conference offers a unique opportunity to gain direct insight into how banks, investors, and other stakeholders are thinking about today's restructuring landscape. That understanding is invaluable, enabling businesses to make better-informed decisions and navigate restructuring situations with greater confidence.”
Naveen Sabharwal
Naveen SabharwalManaging Director, Davidson Kempner Capital Management

MEDIA

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    PRICING

    Registration closed

    Online event registrations are now closed. You may purchase your ticket at the event registration counter on the 1st day of the event. Please refer to the agenda for timings.

    $250

    + VAT

    Primary Market
    (Government Authorities, Corporates & Family Offices undergoing insolvency, Regional & International Banks, Hedge Funds & Private Credits)

    Register Now
    Register Now

    $3299

    + VAT

    Solution Providers
    (Restructuring Advisories, Law Firms, Litigation Financiers, Forensic Services, consultants and technology providers )

    Register Now
    Register Now

    REASONS TO ATTEND

    • Exclusive Insights: Gain access to the latest trends and strategies from leading experts in financial restructuring.
    • Networking Opportunities: Connect with key industry professionals, potential partners, and decision-makers.
    • Cutting-Edge Content: Participate in high-impact sessions, workshops, and panel discussions on critical topics.
    • Benchmarking: Learn from success stories and case studies of leading firms and industry leaders.
    • Strategic Insights: Understand the evolving landscape and prepare for future industry changes.

    Venue

    Accommodation

    We have arranged a discounted rate at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers for your accommodation needs. Please make sure to book as soon as possible.
    The rate is AED 500 for single occupancy, which includes buffet breakfast and all taxes (4% Municipality Fee, 5% VAT, 6% Tourism Fee and 10% Service Charge, AED 15 municipality room fee).

    Discount rate applicable dates:
    • Check in: 16 June 2026
    • Check out: 19 June 2026
    Get Your Special Accommodation Rate for the Event at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.
    Book Now

    Important: Please note that room rates and/or categories are subject to availability according to the hotel’s occupancy. Great Minds Event is not responsible in case of rate increase or unavailability of a room category as this is beyond our control.

    Site Event Logistics

    Servicing International Trade Events (SITE) is a specialist event logistics provider for Exhibitions, Conferences, Product Launches, Road Shows, and Trade Fairs across the globe.
    SITE provides logistics support to global events by supplying organizers and their exhibitors with cost effective and diverse options for freight handling from origin up to stand. SITE provides an all-inclusive door-to-door shipping service along with an advanced receiving warehouse so exhibitors have peace of mind knowing wherever in the world they need to ship there is always someone on hand to receive their shipment. The highest level of service is provided to our clients in the most cost-efficient, time-definite manner by using our vast industry experience and the latest technology. We offer tailored logistic solutions for all exhibition requirements, providing an unbeatable service focused on quality, cost, and diversity.

    Contact:

    Dean Haddow
    Director MENA
    SITE Event Logistics
    Tel: +971 4 370 5533
    Mob: +971 50 115 4881
    dean@siteeventlogistics.com
    www.siteeventlogistics.com