13 March 2008
A key development in a unique UK/Egyptian financial services project is being raised as a prime example of excellent British-Egyptian collaboration.
In a speech today at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo, the Regulator for the Egyptian capital markets industry, Dr Ahmed Saad (CMA Chairman) and SII Chief Executive, Simon Culhane outlined some major achievements in a joint project to introduce a Licensed Individual Regime in Egypt.
The SII (Securities & Investment Institute) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2006 with the CMA to develop qualifications that would help raise the skill level for all those working in the Egyptian finance industry.
In the intervening two years, during the tenure of three City of London Lord Mayors, both organisations have refined and researched details prior to the CMA announcement in June last year of Degree 24, which outlined the legal framework for the introduction of the Licensed Individual Regime and the qualifications that would be required by employees so that they can demonstrate competence.
The new regime stipulates that individuals will need to take two examinations: a local paper focusing on the legal rules and regulations, the creation of which is led by the CMA, and a second paper which is the SII International Introduction to Securities & Investments qualification.
The CMA and SII agreed that the examinations and workbooks should be available both in Arabic and English: "Today a milestone has been reached with the completion of the Arabic version of the workbook, the translation of which is of such high quality that it will now be available not just in Egypt, but throughout the Arab speaking countries. SII and CMA will share the proceeds of every workbook purchased.
"This is a real, practical and tangible example of British-Egyptian joint working and collaboration and we very much look forward to the start of the authorisation regime in a few months' time", said Simon Culhane, SII CEO.
Dr Ahmed Saad (Chairman of the Capital Market Authority) said, "We are delighted to be working with the SII in pursuing this vision, especially given the CMA's strategy to develop the capital market infrastructure and protect investors against non-commercial risks, and in continuation of the reform policies adopted by us in order to achieve one of our strategic priorities. The CMA's Licensed Individual Regime will ensure that all brokers have achieved an international benchmark standard of competence and, through their membership of the Egyptian Securities & Investment Institute, have agreed to comply with its code of conduct."
Those present during this momentous announcement included Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis and Dr Ahmed Saad. Chairman of the Capital Market Authority, Arab Republic of Egypt.
-Ends-
The Securities & Investment Institute (www.sii.org.uk) was formed in 1992 by members of the London Stock Exchange. Its mission is to set standards of professional excellence and integrity for the securities and investment industry, providing qualifications and promoting the highest level of competence to its members, firms and others.
The Securities & Investment Institute is now the pre-eminent professional body for those who work in the securities and investment industry in the UK. Over 40,000 members benefit from a programme of professional training and development. The Institute is the principal awarding body for industry qualifications and last year its examinations attracted 40,000 candidates.
The Securities & Investment Institute is a registered charity.
Charitable Objectives:
to promote for the public benefit, the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the field of securities and investments
to develop high ethical standards for practitioners in securities and investments and to promote such standards in the UK and overseas.
to act as an authoritative body for the purpose of consultation and research in matters of education or public interest concerning investment in securities
Capital Market Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt (CMA)
For further information on the CMA, please contact Dr. Ashraf ElSharkawy, Senior Advisor to the Chairman, CMA Egypt on Ashraf.elsharkawy@cma.gov.eg.
www.cma.gov.eg
The Capital Market Authority is the government agency responsible for regulating Egypt's securities markets. The Authority's primary mandates are to protect investors and to encourage the development of efficient, orderly, and well-regulated primary and secondary markets for securities.
CMA Mandates
• Enforces the Capital Market Law (95/1992), its Executive Regulations, and related decisions, the Depository and Central Registry Law (93/2000) and its Executive Regulations and listing and delisting rules at CASE.
• Authorizes prospectuses of new securities issues.
• Reviews information memoranda of securities private placements.
• Granting license for securities companies.
• Protects rights of minority shareholders.
• Applies disclosure requirements in accordance with Egyptian Accounting Standards based on International Accounting Standards.
• Conducts market surveillance to ensure transparent and fair trading in securities and to deter fraud, including reviewing disclosures from listed companies, monitoring securities trading, and inspecting brokers and other intermediaries.
• Facilitates the growth and development of Egypt's capital market, including improving the skills of capital market officials, encouraging the introduction of new financial instruments, facilitating the implementation of state-of-the-art technology, and increasing investor awareness.
For further information on Securities & Investment Institute contact
Lora Benson, Head of Media
Tel: +44 020 7645 0662/+44 07801 521034
lora.benson@sii.org.uk
A key development in a unique UK/Egyptian financial services project is being raised as a prime example of excellent British-Egyptian collaboration.
In a speech today at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo, the Regulator for the Egyptian capital markets industry, Dr Ahmed Saad (CMA Chairman) and SII Chief Executive, Simon Culhane outlined some major achievements in a joint project to introduce a Licensed Individual Regime in Egypt.
The SII (Securities & Investment Institute) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2006 with the CMA to develop qualifications that would help raise the skill level for all those working in the Egyptian finance industry.
In the intervening two years, during the tenure of three City of London Lord Mayors, both organisations have refined and researched details prior to the CMA announcement in June last year of Degree 24, which outlined the legal framework for the introduction of the Licensed Individual Regime and the qualifications that would be required by employees so that they can demonstrate competence.
The new regime stipulates that individuals will need to take two examinations: a local paper focusing on the legal rules and regulations, the creation of which is led by the CMA, and a second paper which is the SII International Introduction to Securities & Investments qualification.
The CMA and SII agreed that the examinations and workbooks should be available both in Arabic and English: "Today a milestone has been reached with the completion of the Arabic version of the workbook, the translation of which is of such high quality that it will now be available not just in Egypt, but throughout the Arab speaking countries. SII and CMA will share the proceeds of every workbook purchased.
"This is a real, practical and tangible example of British-Egyptian joint working and collaboration and we very much look forward to the start of the authorisation regime in a few months' time", said Simon Culhane, SII CEO.
Dr Ahmed Saad (Chairman of the Capital Market Authority) said, "We are delighted to be working with the SII in pursuing this vision, especially given the CMA's strategy to develop the capital market infrastructure and protect investors against non-commercial risks, and in continuation of the reform policies adopted by us in order to achieve one of our strategic priorities. The CMA's Licensed Individual Regime will ensure that all brokers have achieved an international benchmark standard of competence and, through their membership of the Egyptian Securities & Investment Institute, have agreed to comply with its code of conduct."
Those present during this momentous announcement included Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis and Dr Ahmed Saad. Chairman of the Capital Market Authority, Arab Republic of Egypt.
-Ends-
The Securities & Investment Institute (www.sii.org.uk) was formed in 1992 by members of the London Stock Exchange. Its mission is to set standards of professional excellence and integrity for the securities and investment industry, providing qualifications and promoting the highest level of competence to its members, firms and others.
The Securities & Investment Institute is now the pre-eminent professional body for those who work in the securities and investment industry in the UK. Over 40,000 members benefit from a programme of professional training and development. The Institute is the principal awarding body for industry qualifications and last year its examinations attracted 40,000 candidates.
The Securities & Investment Institute is a registered charity.
Charitable Objectives:
to promote for the public benefit, the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the field of securities and investments
to develop high ethical standards for practitioners in securities and investments and to promote such standards in the UK and overseas.
to act as an authoritative body for the purpose of consultation and research in matters of education or public interest concerning investment in securities
Capital Market Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt (CMA)
For further information on the CMA, please contact Dr. Ashraf ElSharkawy, Senior Advisor to the Chairman, CMA Egypt on Ashraf.elsharkawy@cma.gov.eg.
www.cma.gov.eg
The Capital Market Authority is the government agency responsible for regulating Egypt's securities markets. The Authority's primary mandates are to protect investors and to encourage the development of efficient, orderly, and well-regulated primary and secondary markets for securities.
CMA Mandates
• Enforces the Capital Market Law (95/1992), its Executive Regulations, and related decisions, the Depository and Central Registry Law (93/2000) and its Executive Regulations and listing and delisting rules at CASE.
• Authorizes prospectuses of new securities issues.
• Reviews information memoranda of securities private placements.
• Granting license for securities companies.
• Protects rights of minority shareholders.
• Applies disclosure requirements in accordance with Egyptian Accounting Standards based on International Accounting Standards.
• Conducts market surveillance to ensure transparent and fair trading in securities and to deter fraud, including reviewing disclosures from listed companies, monitoring securities trading, and inspecting brokers and other intermediaries.
• Facilitates the growth and development of Egypt's capital market, including improving the skills of capital market officials, encouraging the introduction of new financial instruments, facilitating the implementation of state-of-the-art technology, and increasing investor awareness.
For further information on Securities & Investment Institute contact
Lora Benson, Head of Media
Tel: +44 020 7645 0662/+44 07801 521034
lora.benson@sii.org.uk
© Press Release 2008
