The CEO and Board Members of the Israel Hedge Funds Association (IHFA) participated in the Opening Bell ceremony this morning, joined by IHFA members who have been on active duty and served in the recent conflict over the past year.
The Association’s 11th Annual International Conference commenced shortly after the ceremony at the TASE Conference Center, hosting hundreds of participants from the local and the international capital market, who made it a point to come out and participate in the conference despite and because of the security situation. Among the participants: Israeli and foreign hedge fund managers and institutional investors, multi-family offices, law firms, accounting firms, banks and investment houses, trustees as well as other participants from the local hedge funds industry.
Natalie Raz, CEO of IHFA, said: "The Israeli hedge funds industry continues to grow and adapt to evolving circumstances, achieving growth and success despite security and economic challenges. With over 200 diverse funds active for nearly two decades, this industry has become a vital component of the Israeli capital market. Hedge funds provide flexible management and the agility to respond swiftly to market shifts, making them an especially appealing investment track in times of uncertainty. Fund managers deploy sophisticated hedging strategies to mitigate risk and protect investments. The hedge funds industry supports the Israeli economy by creating jobs, driving innovation, and enhancing capital market liquidity and stability. We are proud to be part of the Israeli capital market and to collaborate with TASE in initiatives that upgrade the capital market and foster economic growth”.
Ittai Ben Zeev, CEO of TASE, said: "Welcoming here today hedge fund managers from Israel and the world, especially at such a challenging time, is a vote of confidence in the Israeli economy and testament of its resilience. At TASE, we continuously work to support and bring in investors into in the Israeli economy, including by strengthening the hedge funds’ standing in Israel. In early November, we issued a proposal to recognize hedge fund holdings as free float – a significant step toward bolstering investment in Israeli companies, thereby enhancing liquidity not only for large firms but across the market. We see immense potential in hedge funds, both for listed companies and for investors, and remain committed to promoting and supporting their growth.”
In the picture from right to left: Natalie Raz, CEO of IHFA; management members of IHFA; and Ittai Ben Zeev, CEO of TASE.
Photography credit: Liat Mandel, authorized for use for no consideration.
