Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) announced today that it has named Michael Samaha Co-Head of Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) Sales and Business Development for Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM). Mr Samaha, based in the Firm’s office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), joins Nicolas Kahale, who has been leading the effort since 2006. Michael will work with Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia to build MSIM's distribution capabilities in the Kingdom and further develop MSIM’s joint venture with the National Bank of Kuwait. This announcement underlines MSIM’s commitment to delivering its broad array of investment products and solutions to MENA investors and to increasing investment into the region.
“Morgan Stanley opened its office in the DIFC two years ago and since then we have seen strong growth across all parts of our business,” said George Makhoul, MENA President for Morgan Stanley. “We have provided investment management solutions to investors in the region for decades and Michael’s presence on the ground in Dubai strengthens our ability to better serve this important client base.”
Commenting on the appointment, James Dilworth, Head of MSIM, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Michael has solid asset management expertise and extensive knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa. Michael and Nicolas will together bring the leadership to not only enhance MSIM’s ability to deliver investment products and solutions to large and important MENA investors, including sovereign wealth funds and central banks, but will also support MSIM’s growth as we increase local investment through various investment products and deliver mutual fund type products to the burgeoning middle class.”
Mr Samaha joins Morgan Stanley from Lehman Brothers where he was Co-Head of Structuring & Marketing in the Fund Derivatives Group in London. Prior to this, he spent four years in Bahrain with Investcorp.
Morgan Stanley Investment Management, together with its investment advisory affiliates, has nearly 1000 investment professionals around the world and approximately $577 billion in assets under management or supervision as of February 29, 2008. By leveraging its global ‘community of boutiques’ structure and the strength of Morgan Stanley, MSIM strives to provide outstanding long-term investment performance, service and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 600 offices in 33 countries. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.
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Note to Editors:
Morgan Stanley in the Middle East
Morgan Stanley has been active in the Middle East region since the 1970s, providing a variety of investment banking, asset management and wealth management services. The Firm opened its first office in the Middle East region in the Dubai International Financial Centre in March 2006 and now has offices in Qatar and Egypt.
Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia
Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia is a joint venture between Morgan Stanley and The Capital Group, a leading local investment bank in Saudi Arabia. The joint venture focuses exclusively on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and offers clients a broad range of services, including investment banking, capital markets, sales and trading, asset management, and private wealth management.
National Bank of Kuwait Investment Management Ltd
National Bank of Kuwait Investment Management is a joint venture between Morgan Stanley Investment Management and the National Bank of Kuwait to manage the assets of NBK’s clients and provide investors access to MSIM’s investment products and solutions.
Michael Samaha biography
2006 – Present: Lehman Brothers, co-head structuring and marketing, fund derivatives group
2004-2006: Investcorp, principal, asset management, product specialist
2002-2004: Investcorp, portfolio management
2000-2001: Eurosnaz, director, business development
1997-2000: Morgan Stanley, associate, convertible bond trading
1993-1995: Chemical Banking Corporation, analyst, credit and risk management
Mr. Samaha earned an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and graduated cum laude from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania with a BA in Economics and International Affairs. He is fluent in English, French and Arabic.
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