Qatar Stock Exchange CEO Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori opening the 9th Annual IR Conference yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
DOHA: Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, CEO of Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) has stressed the importance of Investor Relations in light of the growing competition to attract capital and investments. He said QSE believes that IR is an essential business support function that helps its listed companies attract more investors, enhances credibility and ultimately facilitates expansion and growth opportunities for its companies.
“Corporate access in today’s regulatory environment is a must. Investor Relations in big corporation see that corporate access means opportunities for Investor Relations professionals”, Al Mansoori said while addressing the QSE’s 9th Annual Investor Relations Conference, yesterday.
With the recent changes in Mifid II, traditional corporate access is expected to change significantly. The role of the sell side is expected to shrink and the role for the buy side is expected to rise and the numbers of independent service providers will increase.
The QSE CEO noted the bourse’s decision behind holding annual investor relations conference is part of its continuous efforts to further promote the adoption of international best practice in the field of IR among its listed companies.
The bourse hopes that all listed companies and the investment community can gain greater exposure to the latest IR strategies and effective practices utilised worldwide.
Effective from October 2019, Qatar will be introducing a mandatory “rules-based” framework for IR; the Rules reflect best-practice and should in any case be standard for listed companies in today’s regulatory capital markets’ environment.
Al Mansoori said roadshows can be crucial to the the company’s bottom line for various reasons and are an important platform for managements in their active communication with investors. “Well-crafted web sites will reinforce your brand, show corporate transparency and educate as well as inspire your stakeholders,” he said.
“QSE, Qatar Financial Markets Authority and the listed companies have been working together over many years to ensure disclosure and transparency are developed through an increasing focus on IR, especially after the inclusion of Qatar in the MSCI, S&P and FTSE Emerging Markets indices, which has served to increase attention in Qatar’s stock market and all its listed companies”, he added.
Abdul Aziz Al Emadi, Listing of QSE, said: “At QSE, we strive to deliver the necessary tools and the know-how in developing your IR strategies within your respective companies and better yet communicating an effective strategy to the international investment community.”
