Bahrain Bourse and MEIRA sign an MOU to promote the Investor Relations function in Bahrain

7 November, 2018. Bahrain Bourse signed on Wednesday 7^th November 2018 an agreement with the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) to promote the development of the Investor Relations (IR) function and corporate governance best practice in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

MEIRA is a Middle East based non-profit organization that fosters openness and transparency in market practice by supporting Investor Relations (IR) and corporate governance across the region.

The agreement was signed by Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bourse and Clemence Piot, MEIRA General Manager, in the presence of senior executive management members.

The agreement sets out a framework for the launch and operation of the Bahrain Chapter, and aims at developing a culture of effective communication between listed companies and investors, but also with the exchange, regulator, advisers and the buy-side and sell-side professionals in the Kingdom of Bahrain, while promoting transparency in the market.

Following the signing ceremony, the Bourse, in collaboration with MEIRA, organized an Investor Relations Awareness seminar at the Bourse’s premises. The event welcomed more than 60 professionals in the IR industry and addressed key topics which covered the importance of IR for listed companies and an introduction to the role of the Investor Relations Officer. The session also included a presentation of a successful case study on IR conducted by Eline Hilal, Investor Relations Manager at Aluminum Bahrain, who shared her experience as a local IR professional.

On this occasion, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Bourse, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with MEIRA in supporting the development of the IR function, and look forward to the establishment of a solid networking platform for IR professionals in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which we believe will contribute to enhancing the level of transparency and disclosure in the market.”

“This agreement comes in line with the Bourse’s strategy aiming at enhancing market literacy and investor awareness, and highlights the significant role played by the IR function in the market,” Shaikh Khalifa added.

On her part, Clemence Piot, MEIRA General Manager, said: “A pillar of MEIRA’s strategy is to be an advocate for change across the Middle East region. We are delighted to partner with Bahrain Bourse in order to collaborate to promote best practice in Investor Relations in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Our newly created Memorandum of Understanding paves the way for the creation of a MEIRA Bahrain Chapter, which would be our tenth regional chapter, and we very much look forward to welcoming new members in Bahrain to join the largest Investor Relations network in the Middle East”.