14 September 2016
Journalists from the Middle East recognised for their credible reporting on the reality and financial outlook of the GCC industry

Dubai - CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, announced that Matthew Amlot along with Mohammed Abdel Zaher and Mohammed Al Hayek are winners of the 2016 Middle East Financial Journalism Awards in the English and Arabic categories respectively. Launched last year, the award seeks to recognise the contributions of journalists towards the advancement of knowledge about the GCC's finance and investment sector.

CFA Institute received over 40 articles from journalists from English and Arabic publications across the GCC. Mr. Amlot and Mr. Zaher and Mr. Al Hayek were selected based on an anonymous critique of submissions by a judging panel consisting of CFA society members across four criteria: educational value, clarity, relevance, evidence-based reporting. The winning journalists were selected because they demonstrated an ability to report insightfully on finance and investment-related news developments in a manner which would greater inform both professionals in the industry as well as the general public.

Nitin Mehta, CFA, Managing Director of CFA Institute in Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "The Middle East's financial markets have experienced significant news cycles over the past year and this trend is expected to continue. Investment professionals, such as CFA members, cannot underestimate the important role which journalists play in credibly reporting on the reality and outlook of the industry in which they operate. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate these three journalists on this accolade. The factual accuracy, comprehensive research and relevance of their articles reflect an admirable standard of journalism. We hope to continue to recognise the contribution which journalists make towards the awareness and understanding of key market developments." 

Mr. Amlot, Mr. Zaher and Mr. Al Hayek were awarded a commemorative certificate and offered a media scholarship for the CFA Institute Investment Foundations, a global self-study programme designed to develop a greater understanding of the investment industry. 

-Ends- 

About CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion for ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. The end goal: to create an environment where investors' interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. CFA Institute has more than 131,800 members in 147 countries and territories, including 124,400 charterholders, and 145 member societies. For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org.

Media contacts
For and on behalf of CFA Institute in the GCC and Middle East
Vadia Rai @ FTI Consulting
T: +971 (0)4 4372110
Vadia.rai@fticonsulting.com

CFA Institute EMEA (London)
Nicole Haroutunian (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
T: + 44 (20) 75330 9550/ 9551
Nicole.Haroutunian@cfainstitute.org 

© Press Release 2016