The Arab Federation of Capital Markets (AFCM) Annual Conference will launch on March 29-30, , where it will witness the handover of the Federation’s presidency from the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) to Bahrain Bourse.

During its presidency period, Bahrain Bourse will lead the Arab Federation of Capital Markets throughout the year 2022 and continue the efforts to further develop the Federation and enable it to achieve its vision.

Bahrain Bourse, a self-regulated multi-asset marketplace, will host the AFCM Annual Conference, which will be held virtually. The Federation currently includes 21 members representing around 17 stock and commodity exchanges, and four clearing companies, in addition to several financial brokerage firms and banks in the Arab region. The number of companies listed on Arab markets reached 1,572 companies with a capital of $3.8 trillion by the end of 2021.

The AFCM Annual Conference provides a platform for leaders of the Arab stock industry and international experts to gather and exchange views and expertise. The conference supports the efforts taken to identify the latest developments of systems and work models used globally in managing, developing and raising the efficiency of capital markets, and aims to utilise it to serve the requirements of capital markets and support governments’ endeavours to achieve the objectives of economic and social development plans.

The conference is anticipated to attract over 350 attendees from Arab exchanges, financial market regulatory bodies, brokerage firms, investment fund managers, economic journalists, and a number of global financial and development institutions.

The event will host 19 sessions and 69 speakers, and discuss various capital market topics, such as sustainability, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG), green financing, Regulatory Technology (RegTech), market data monetisation, and all developments related to technology applications that support and assist the activity and effectiveness of financial markets.

On the occasion, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Bourse and AFCM President in its new session, said: “Bahrain Bourse’s presidency of the Federation will further advance the efforts to develop its capabilities and efforts with the aim of making a unique change in its work systems and models at the institutional and technical levels. This will ensure the continuity of the Federation’s role to further support Arab stock exchanges in a more efficient manner, and enhance its capabilities and competitiveness to promote inter-Arab trade in securities as one of the most important financing sources of the economic and social development plans of our Arab nation.”

“We are honoured at Bahrain Bourse to host the AFCM Annual Conference this year, as it represents a launchpad to showcase the major themes driving regional capital markets. We recognise the vital role that Bahrain Bourse could play in providing a stable and transparent environment, and the importance of our endeavours to achieve the objectives of the conference and support a transparent investment environment for Arab capital markets.

“The conference serves as a key forum for sharing ideas and experiences from key leaders in the capital market, and we look forward to achieving anticipated results in an integrated manner,” Shaikh Khalifa added.  

Rami El Dokany, Secretary General of AFCM (formerly Arab Federation of Exchanges) said: “The Federation was established in 1978 upon the recommendation of the Conference of Central Bank Governors under the patronage of the League of Arab States, with the membership of only four Arab stock exchanges at that time. The Federation aims to facilitate the exchange of technical aid between members, coordinating the applicable laws and regulations, and overcoming the difficulties facing inter-Arab investment.”

El Dokany further said: “We are delighted to organise the AFCM Annual Conference in coordination with and with the participation of Bahrain Bourse, which will head the Federation in its new session. The conference will discuss the most recent developments in technology applications and examine the extent to which they can be utilised to enhance the efficiency of financial markets on Arab economies.”

El Dokany clarified that the upcoming phase will witness working towards the completion of previous efforts to position the Federation on a stable path in the long term, by formulating flexible policies that contribute to the development of its business and activities, in order to promote and facilitate inter-Arab investments in securities.

He added that the conference also aims to develop a platform for cooperation and exchange of expertise and views among all relevant parties, as it constitutes a driving force for the development of Arab capital markets’ capabilities.

The AFCM annual meeting will be held on the side-lines of the conference, with the attendance of 18 Arab capital markets. For more info, visit: https://arab-exchanges.org/afcm-bahrain-2022 

-TradeArabia News Service