The Qatar Stock Exchange(QSE) and the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) held their 7th Annual Investor Relations conference in Doha, Qatar with participation from the forty four QSE-listed companies.
During the opening speech at the conference, Mr. Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, CEO of Qatar Stock Exchange,stressed on the significant role of investor relations for the development of the performance of listed companies and the promotion of effective communication with shareholders and investors. He added, "We encourage listed companies in Qatar to develop their investor relations standards and adopt best international practices in this area.”
Mr. Al-Mansoori pointed out that the Qatar Stock Exchange recently held regional and international meetings with the global investment community and brokerage firms and financial services companies in order to get acquainted with the investment concerns towards the Qatari market, especially in view of the fact that investors feel attracted to invest in companies focusing on investor relations. He added this is a manifestation of the importance of investor relations for all stakeholders, particularly listed companies, financial services firms, and investors through keeping all parties of the investment equation aware of the company''''s business plans, strategies,and investment trends through the use of technology and effective communication.
Mr. Al-Mansoori noted that the Qatari listed companies pay great attention to investor relations and QSE has a special program dedicated to award the listed companies for the excellence in investor relations. He added that despite we are ahead of others,but additional progress must be achieved in this area, especially in light of economic and geopolitical conditions.
Mr. Abdel Aziz Al Emadi, the Listings Director at QSE said “We continue to focus on developing the Investor Relations practices in Qatar in line with international best practices and are extremely delighted to have held this conference with the MEIRA. Al Emadi added “we can all achieve even greater success in the field of IR when we collectively share best practices amongst all Qatar IR professionals and assist all Qatari listed companies through providing access to the essential tools and knowledge to fully implement best international practices.” We certainly hope today serves as a catalyst in highlighting and reinforcing the importance of IR in Qatar and that best practice will be embraced by all management teams in today’s conference.”
Mr. Alex McDonald Vita, the Chairman of the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) said “"We are delighted to announce our 7th Annual Investor Relations Conference in Qatar which will be held in partnership with the Qatar Stock Exchange. The MEIRA Qatar Chapter is a key part of our regional network and represents a model of best practice in proactive market engagement and ongoing market development”.
“This year, with the QSE''''s continued support, we will explore the importance of the regulatory frame work in empowering the functions of Investor Relations and corporate governance. As part of the conference agenda, we will also look at how leading international IR strategies can be adapted to Middle East markets, how IR can be advanced through new technologies, and the role of the board in supporting IR as a strategic management function. These key focus areas were selected to provide critical support mechanisms geared to increasing market sophistication,including the inclusion in Emerging Market and Developed Market indices”, He said.
The carefully selected topics for this year’ conference were to fully support the further development and practice of investor relations in the State of Qatar and to showcase new topics of interests to many listed companies, in line with the increasing growth and significance of QSE as an emerging capital market. Topics on Investor Relations on board agenda, the importance of indices and dealing with passive investors, advancing the Investor Relations through technology,adapting an Investor Relations strategy in the Middle East and the necessity of a regulatory framework to empower the Investor Relations function were all discussed.
This year’ conference witnessed substantial participation of QSE listed companies and provided a unique opportunity aimed for Qatari listed companies to develop the IR profession as well as introducing advanced IR topics through technology and a forum a forum for the development of best practices, professional and corporate governance.
