Boursa Kuwait and MEIRA host second investor relations workshop

26/11/2017 10:32 AST

Building on the outcomes of the first workshop held in April 2017, Boursa Kuwait has hosted its second investor relations (IR) workshop catered to listed companies and brokerage firms in collaboration with the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA), EFG Hermes and MEIRA Kuwait Chapter.

The workshop took place at the Boursa Kuwait premises with the aim of helping raise awareness and knowledge of the key role of IR in Kuwait and introducing the sell-side analyst’s perspective.

Titled ‘Investor Relations: The Sell-Side View’, the workshop was presented by Ahmed Kiswani, Risk, Compliance and Corporate Governance Executive Director at Boursa Kuwait. Alex MacDonald-Vitale, MEIRA Chairman, also held a keynote session on IR best practice followed by Ahmad Shamseldin, Head of Research at EFG Hermes, who shared his views on how to engage with the sell-side during an interview conducted by Amir Hanna, Assistant General Manager–Investors Relations at National Bank of Kuwait.

“Today we are at a stage of market development that begins to benefit significantly from more advanced levels in training and exchange of expertise. Bringing investor and analyst views direct to issuers and IRO’s is a perfect complement to ongoing discussions on IR best practice. It was very encouraging to see such a strong turnout of representatives from key players in this market; the increasing number of informed and enthusiastic corporates present at these events is testament to management support and how quickly market sophistication is developing here,” said Alex MacDonald-Vitale, MEIRA Chairman.

Boursa Kuwait is focused on progressively developing the stock market and promoting IR best practice in the local market. Earlier this year we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MEIRA and delivered the Certified Investor Relations Officer Programme (CIRO programme), which is part of series of educational programmes planned to be taken place based on the agreement.

“We are pleased to be part of this inspiring workshop to help emphasise importance of IR to the different businesses. At EFG Hermes, supporting educational and enlightening initiatives has always been an area of focus,” said Ahmad Shamseldin, Head of Research at EFG Hermes.

The workshops reinforce Boursa Kuwait’s commitment to supporting MEIRA’s Kuwait Chapter and ensuring that it promotes IR best practice, and the importance of this function in elevating the overall investment status of the Kuwaiti market.

“Our collaboration has been fruitful, both workshops conducted so far were successful and the feedback from participants has been very promising. We are looking forward to driving and supporting more initiatives to continue improving IR best practice standards in Kuwait for the benefit of all our stakeholders,” said Mohammad Abdal, Chief Communications Officer of Zain Group and MEIRA Kuwait Chapter Head.

The Boursa Kuwait IR Awareness workshop witnessed more than 80 participants from the listed companies and brokerage firms from the fields of IR, finance, compliance, corporate governance and corporate communications.

CPI Financial