Dubai, July 11 (IANS) Bahrain will again play host to the second edition of a major West Asian investment forum. Around 500 participants from around the world, including 150 investors, will participate in the Fund Forum Middle East 2008 to be held in Manama December 1-4.

The event, one of the most prestigious investment management events in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, will focus on the growing interest in the region on account of its liquidity and high economic growth rates, the state-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA) has reported.

The sessions of the four-day event will discuss issues such as how separated the Middle East is from the US, how influenced it is by its crisis, whether it was time to unpeg local currencies from the US dollar, various markets dynamisms, and retail market methodology.

Over 40 regional and international distinguished investment and financial figures have already confirmed their participation as key speakers in the event.

Over 500 participants attended the inaugural edition of Fund Forum Middle East held last October.