Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani

May 28th, 2013, Doha, Qatar  

The Middle East Investor Relations Society (ME-IR Society) and the Qatar Exchange have once again partnered to host the 4th Annual IR Conference, which took place in Doha on the 28th of May under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani. The conference, which was attended by Qatari listed entities and capital markets participants, featured panel discussions and presentations on a range of relevant IR topics.

Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Emadi, Listing Director of the Qatar Exchange, stated:

"We are very pleased to once again host the 4th Annual IR Conference here in Doha in partnership with the ME-IR Society who we have been working closely with for the past few years. We are continuously working with listed companies in Qatar to improve IR standards and encourage the adoption of international best practices within this field. Conferences such as these are therefore very important in bringing companies and IR experts together so that management teams may continue to advance and contribute to the development of an IR centre of excellence in Qatar."

Mr. Paul Reynolds, Chairman of the ME-IR Society and Managing Director at Rothschild, also commented:

"The Qatari market is very active when it comes to encouraging its participants to pursue international standards of IR and this conference underlines yet again how importantly IR is viewed by the authorities in Qatar. The ME-IR Society is proud to be a partner and provide support as Qatar continues this positive development."

The conference agenda featured panel discussions and presentations on the following topics:

-                      The Critical Role of IR in Capital Markets

-                      How can Qatari Companies Deliver Effective IR to their Various Stakeholders?

-                      The Impact of The New Commercial Law

-       The Investor Point of View: How Companies are Evaluated and the Significance of Global Best Practice

The conference was also preceded by a two day training course on 'Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Best Practice' organized by the ME-IR Society and attended by Qatari IR professionals.

-Ends-  

About Qatar Exchange:
Established in 1995, the Doha Securities Market (DSM) officially commenced operations in May 1997. Since then the Exchange has grown to become one of the leading stock markets in the GCC region and for two consecutive years (2010, 2011), was the best performing stock Exchange in the GCC. Following a strategic partnership agreement between Qatar Holding and NYSE Euronext in June 2009, the DSM was renamed the Qatar Exchange (QE).  QE currently has 42 listed companies and its market capitalization is over QR457 billion (US$127 billion). The primary aim of QE is to support Qatar's economy by giving investors a platform through which they can trade fairly and efficiently. QE also provides the public with access to market information, ensures correct disclosure of information, and enforces securities regulations.  QE is regulated by the Qatar Financial Markets Authority. For more information, please visit www.qe.com.qa

About the ME-IR Society
The Middle East Investor Relations Society (ME-IR Society) was established in 2008 and is an independent, not-for-profit organization with membership open to all IR, financial communications, and capital markets professionals throughout the Middle East region. The ME-IR Society is a platform for the sharing of best IR practices between IR professionals who are focused on providing clear, consistent and timely information to the regional and international investment community.

The Society's objectives are to promote excellence in investor relations through executive training, professional qualifications, seminars and networking events, working in partnership with stock exchanges, regulatory bodies and market professionals in the region.

For more information relating to events, membership, education, training or sponsorship opportunities please contact:
Maria Hunt
General Manager - ME-IR Societ
mhunt@me-irsociety.com
00971-50-9847350
All information is also published on www.me-irsociety.com

© Press Release 2013