The Middle East Investor Relations Association (Meira) and Bahrain Bourse have launched a new chapter in Bahrain to further develop and enhance best practices in IR.
The Meira Bahrain chapter was formally inaugurated yesterday at a signing ceremony of founding members that recognize their commitment to develop the IR function in the local market.
The founding members include Aluminium Bahrain, Bank ABC, Bahrain Telecommunications Company, Ithmaar Holding, National Bank of Bahrain and investment group SICO BSC. Bahrain Bourse will lead the chapter, which will be represented by chapter head Marwa AlMaskati.
At the ceremony, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Bourse, commented: ‘The establishment of the Bahrain Meira chapter sets the ground for establishing a solid network of IR professionals in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and will certainly help in advancing the IR function and promoting international best practices among listed companies in the capital market.
‘Bahrain Bourse will play a major role in this initiative to promote best practices in IR. Further, the roll-out of the chapter will also signal to the international investment community our commitment and enhance possibility of inclusion in emerging markets indices.’
Meira chairman Andrew Tarbuck also said at the ceremony: ‘Since Meira signed the memorandum of understanding with Bahrain Bourse in November, we have been working very closely with the exchange to develop a dynamic and committed chapter in the kingdom.
‘This is a great milestone for Meira and the Bahraini capital markets and represents a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of IR in the kingdom. We look forward to collaborating with our chapter members and with Bahrain Bourse as the chapter head to increase the effectiveness and quality of the IR function among the organizations in the kingdom through our wide range of activities and training programs.’
The signing ceremony took place at Bahrain Bourse and was followed by an IR seminar attended by more than 30 representatives from local listed companies who had the opportunity to discuss the importance of the IR function from the investment community perspective.
Members of the Meira Bahrain chapter will now have access to a wealth of IR knowledge from global leaders in the profession in the form of specific educational initiatives, and be able to benefit from local events aimed at uniting and advancing the IR community.
