Participants and CFA officials at the 2017 Doha Investment Forum.
CFA Society Doha, the local association of CFA Institute investment management professionals, hosted the the 2017 Doha Investment Forum alongside Qatar Stock Exchange and Qatar Development Bank. The forum brought together policymakers, industry experts and key market participants from across Qatar.
The forum was a platform to discuss the most recent thinking with regard to how stock exchanges contribute to a country’s growth, and the role which small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can enable entrepreneurial companies to be the driving force of global economies. Over 100 investment management professionals were given the opportunity to discuss global trends and each organisation’s contributions to the topic. Key speakers at the event included Paul Smith, CFA, President and CEO, CFA Institute, Ibrahim Mohammed Hassan (CFA) Acting Executive Director of Investments, Qatar Development Bank; and Rashid Bin Ali Al Mansoori, CEO and Board Member, Qatar Stock Exchange.
Opening the Forum, Paul Smith, CFA, President and CEO of CFA Institute, commented: “Qatar has made great strides in building an efficient and transparent financial sector. Your goals - such as enhancing investor protection through standards and codes of conduct and building talent through professional developments - are ambitious and aligned with the mission of CFA Institute.
As leaders of the investment profession in Qatar, it is critically important that our members, CFA societies, and CFA Institute, are all aligned on our shared mission to advance ethics.... and develop the professionalism of your (Qatari) market”.
Rashid Bin Ali Al Mansoori, CEO, Qatar Stock Exchange, commented: “We are very aware that a customised market for SMEs has been a successful model around the world; our own QE Venture Market has learnt the lessons and is designed with initial and ongoing compliance requirements that lower the normal barriers to SME listing.”
Whilst the Rules have been available for some time it has always been the case that the Exchange, along with market professionals such as those in the audience tonight, would have to invest significant time and resources in targeting and preparing a small number of outstanding SMEs who will represent the pioneers of our market when it is launched.”
QDB, whose mission is to improve economic development by providing entrepreneurs and SMEs with a wide range of financial and advisory products, was represented by Ibrahim Mohammed Hassan (CFA) Acting Executive Director of Investments.
He commented: “QDB aims to support a successful transition towards the country’s overall economic diversification. SME Listing Advisory Services, a joint initiative between QSE and QDB to open doors and assist potential SMEs to list their businesses in the Qatar Exchange Venture Market (QEVM), is one such support designed to drive forward SMEs growth and success.”
