Resilient value growth and capital strategy take center stage in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 23rd January 2026
Strategy symposium in Abu Dhabi examines challenges and opportunities for the GCC as an emerging ‘capital of capital’ and for resilient capital deployment across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners Consultancy LLC (“AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners”), the joint venture between Siraj Holding LLC, part of the Al Otaiba Group, and AWR Lloyd, is pleased to announce the successful hosting of its inaugural closed-door Strategy Symposium under the theme ‘Resilient Value Growth in Asia, the Middle East and Africa’ at the Four Seasons Hotel in Abu Dhabi on 22nd January.
The symposium convened senior investors, corporate leaders, policymakers, and sector specialists to examine the GCC’s role as an emerging ‘Capital of Capital’ and how to drive resilient value creation amid heightened global uncertainty.
Session I, ‘The GCC Nexus: Connecting Global Capital for Investment and M&A across Asia, the Middle East and Africa’ examined the GCC’s evolving role as a global capital hub and critical considerations for making investments in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Panelists for the first session included the head of Asia-Pacific investment from one of the Gulf’s leading energy corporates, a founding partner of an Africa-focused private equity firm, a director from the Siraj Holdings group, and the President of Globalscope Partners, Kamal Rungta.
Session II, ‘Realism and Resiliency: Sustainable Value and the Energy Transition’, focused on the challenges involved in formulating and implementing strategies which can deliver sustainable value growth to shareholders and stakeholders, and which are resilient to potential crises, shocks and extreme technological disruption.
Panelists for the second session included the Chairman of an Asian securities exchange commission, the Chief Analyst of a leading London-based risk consultancy, former CEO of a leading Asia-Pacific energy conglomerate, the former head of business development for AMEA of one of Europe’s largest energy groups, and the managing director for India & West Asia of a major cean energy technology venture.
Both sessions were followed by lively discussion and interactive Q&A with the audience, featuring perspectives from investors, regulators, energy executives, and infrastructure specialists.
Alexander Wood, Group CEO of AWR Lloyd commented on one of the core themes discussed in the sessions: “The GCC is already the undisputed global capital of sovereign wealth. We see real potential for the GCC to now build on this position to become a global hub also for family offices, private equity, hedge funds, crypto and other ‘alternatives’. The GCC’s Asia and Africa connectivity, and increasingly favorable regulatory frameworks are key factors in this hypothesis. There may also be an opportunity to create a trans-regional network of exchanges for the emerging and frontier markets of the Eastern Hemisphere, with the Gulf as the pivotal hub. Most local exchanges across the hemisphere currently lack liquidity, transparency and depth. AWR Lloyd can advise public sector authorities, family offices, institutional investors and corporates on strategies related to these trends an opportunities. We also have extensive experience advising on best practice investor relations programs and listing strategies”.
Mehdi Sethom, CEO of AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners, added: “We were honored to convene such a high-level and constructive dialogue. The sessions emphasized the complexity and difficulties which GCC players face in making investments and acquisitions across the Middle East, Asia and Africa. AWR Lloyd’s emphasis on customization, discretion, and cultural sensitivity resonates well with many of the corporates and investors active in these regions. Clients also appreciate the depth of AWR Lloyd’s industry expertise, the strength of our local relationships, and the fact that we come with over 25-years’ of experience”.
AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners
AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners Consultancy LLC is a joint venture established between Siraj Holding LLC, AWR Lloyd Limited and HE Udaya Indrarathna, the former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UAE and Iraq. The new company’s CEO is Mr Mehdi Sethom. Mr Walid Ayad is Managing Director. Mr Ahmed Khalaf Ahmed Khalaf Al Otaiba is Chairman, and Mr Alexander Wood its Vice Chairman.
About Siraj Holding
Siraj Holding LLC is an investment firm established in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2019. Founded by Ahmed Khalaf Ahmed Khalaf Al Otaiba, it operates as a holding company. Key areas of interest for Siraj Holding include financial services, technology, hospitality, energy, real estate, telecommunications, and investments. The firm’s mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of economies in the GCC by creating market-leading businesses.
About AWR Lloyd
AWR Lloyd is a specialist strategy consultancy firm, with a 25-year track-record across the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. The firm’s service approach is bespoke, discrete and innovative. AWR Lloyd emphasizes strategic intelligence, industry expertise and results-focused action. AWR Lloyd has offices and teams in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India and now Abu Dhabi. Over the years, the firm has advised bluechip corporates from across the world including Chevron, Saudi Aramco, Masdar, Ronesans, SK, Hyundai, Sojitz, Toyoto Tsuho, PTT, Petronas, PetroVietnam, PTT, Banpu, Gulf Energy, Swedish Space Corp and Tata Steel, as well as public sector clients such as the Asian Development Bank, the UN, the US Department of State and the Thailand Ministry of Science & Technology.