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About meira

The Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) Annual Conference and Awards is the largest IR event in MENA.

This benchmark event brings together participants from locally listed firms, international corporates, investors, research analysts and advisors, as well as representatives of the region's Regulatory bodies. The aim of the Conference is to provide delegates with a networking platform and to encourage dialogue around market challenges and best practice, while educating participants and stakeholders on the importance of Investor Relations, transparency and corporate governance.

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About meira
about idx

About ADX

ADX is a market for trading securities; including shares issued by public joint stock companies, bonds issued by governments or corporations, exchange traded funds, and any other financial instruments approved by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). ADX is the second largest market in the Arab region and its strategy of providing stable financial performance with diversified sources of incomes is aligned with the guiding principles of the UAE “Towards the next 50” agenda. The national plan charts out the UAE’s strategic development scheme which aims to build a sustainable, diversified and high-value added economy that positively contributes to transition to a new global sustainable development paradigm.

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Conference Summary

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2-day conference
The Conference will run over 2 days with various keynote presentations and thematic panel discussions and workshops.
Corporate Access for members
Corporate Access for members
Corporate access for MEIRA members during the two days.
Awards Dinner
Awards Dinner
Exclusive Awards Dinner to recognise the IR leaders in the Middle East.
Exclusive exhibition opportunities
Exclusive exhibition opportunities
Exclusive exhibition space and other opportunities to showcase your brand and services to a highly targeted audience.

New features for 2024

Buy-side
Buy-side
For the first time, the event will be actively targeted to the buy- and sell-side, bringing a wider investment community audience to the largest IR event in the region.
C-Suite
C-Suite
Bigger C-Suite audience and specific sessions with high-caliber and senior speakers.
Corporate Access
Corporate Access
The event will include an exclusively designed corporate access event during the two-day conference. Issuers will have the opportunity to meet regional and international investors.
Strategic partnerships
Strategic partnerships
The conference will run in the context of the Abu Dhabi Finance Week, leveraging the visibility and importance of the event for the capital markets.

Why attend?

  • Network with your peers and share your experience during the biggest IR event in the Middle East
  • Show your stakeholders that you are committed to improve IR best practice
  • Catch up on the latest industry trends and access a broad network of industry partners
  • Build brand awareness among the IR community in the Middle East and maximize your visibility

Panels

Explore our panelists and moderators

Panel 5 | Decoding Global Capital Markets: Reviewing the year, Navigating the future

December 12, 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Speaker
Edward Bell
Edward Bell

Edward Bell

Acting Group Head of Research and Chief Economist, Emirates NBD
Edward Bell

Edward Bell is Acting Chief Economist and Group Head of Research for Emirates NBD. He leads a team of economists and analysts providing our clients with leading macroeconomic and market views for the wider MENAT region. Edward previously served as Head of Market Economics for the bank, covering commodities, currencies and rates. He has a background as a commodities fundamentals analyst and a Middle East-focused economist with degrees from the University of London and University of Toronto. Edward is based in Dubai.

Speaker
Simon Williams
Simon Williams

Simon Williams

Chief Economist CEEMEA, HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd
Simon Williams

Simon Williams joined HSBC in 2006 as Chief Economist for MENA in Dubai, before moving to London in 2014. Simon returned to Dubai in 2023, where he continues to head the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEEMEA) region’s economics coverage and lead the bank’s macro research in the Middle East. Simon has more than 25 years' experience as a country analyst and economist for the emerging markets.

Speaker
Shakir Iqbal
Shakir Iqbal

Shakir Iqbal

Executive Director, Head of Ceemea Equity Sales , JP Morgan
Shakir Iqbal

Shakir Iqbal is Head of CEEMEA Equity Sales. Shakir joined J.P. Morgan from Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Dubai where he was a Director in MENA & Frontier Equity Sales. Prior to that, he was with Citigroup as MENA Equity Strategist based out of New York and then Dubai.  

Shakir holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Relations form the University of Pennsylvania. 

Speaker
Faisal AlAzmeh
Faisal AlAzmeh

Faisal AlAzmeh

Executive Director, Head of CEEMEA Research at Goldman Sachs
Faisal AlAzmeh

Faisal AlAzmeh, CFA, is the head of CEEMEA Equity Research and is based our of the Dubai office and focuses on the chemicals, infrastructure and energy sectors. He is also the IPO specialist for EMEA pre-deal research. Faisal has been recognized by Institutional Investor as the top analyst in Emerging EMEA Chemicals. Prior to joining the firm, Faisal worked as an equity research director heading the EMEA chemicals team at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Faisal held an equity research role at NCB Capital in Saudi Arabia and a Senior Consultant position in the deals department at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Faisal holds a BA in economics and commerce.

Moderator
Tatiana Volochkovich
Tatiana Volochkovich

Tatiana Volochkovich

Senior Manager, Investor Relations Group Strategic Investments (Investor Relations), ADNOC
Tatiana Volochkovich

Tatiana Volochkovich joined ADNOC as a Senior Manager (Investor Relations) in March 2023 to oversee the Group’s listed portfolio and its broader equity and debt capital markets efforts. Prior to that, she managed ESG and IR functions as a Director at VK, one of the largest Internet companies in Russia, where she ranked as the best IR professional in the country. 

Tatiana started her career as a Russia real estate Research Analyst at Merrill Lynch in 2007 and later Small Cap sales and generalist Russia/CIS sales at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. In 2011 she was a Vice President in charge of Russia/CIS equity sales efforts for Morgan Stanley. Tatiana graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio (USA) with a B.A. degree in Economics, with Honors, and Mathematics

Agenda

Agenda

We are excited to announce that the agenda for the upcoming MEIRA Conference is now available! We've incorporated your valuable feedback into this high-level outline.
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ScheduleAgenda
8:15 - 9:15REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING
9:25 - 9:30Welcome Remarks by H.E Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchanges (ADX)
9:30 - 9:35Special Message by H.E Dr. Maryam Butti Al Suwaidi, CEO, Securities & Commodities Authority of the UAE
 
9:35 - 9:45Opening Keynote Speech by Klaus Froehlich, Group CIO at ADNOC Group
9:45 - 9:50Remarks by Andrew Tarbuck, Chair, MEIRA
9:50 - 10:25

PANEL 1
GCC Exchange CEOs Plenary: The Rise of the GCC: Unlocking Growth and Value Creation in the Regional Capital Markets

  • Engine Room of Growth: Unveiling the key drivers propelling the GCC's capital markets to new heights.
  • Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Strategies for crafting a captivating equity story that resonates with investors in the GCC.
  • Value Proposition 101: Effectively communicating value creation strategies and ensuring investor alignment.
  • The Regulatory Advantage: Exploring the role of evolving regulatory frameworks in fostering market growth and stability.
  • Benchmarking Success: Delving into real-world case studies of successful value creation within the GCC.
  • Economic Winds of Change: Analyzing the impact of broader economic trends on the trajectory of GCC capital markets.
  • Moderator:
    • Peter Gotke, MEIRA’s Board
  • Panelists: 
    • Sh. Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Bourse
    • Mr. Haitham Salim Al Salmi, CEO, Muscat Stock Exchange
    • Mr. Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Rumaih, CEO, Saudi Exchange
    • Mr. Abdulla Salem Al Nuaimi, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
    • Mr. Hamed Ali, CEO, DFM & Nasdaq
10:25 - 10:40

CASE STUDY – DELIVERING IR EXCELLENCE: ADNOC Drilling  

  • Presented by:
    • Abdulrahman Alseiari, Chief Executive Officer, ADNOC Drilling
    • Youssef Salem, Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Drilling
10:40 - 11:00COFFEE BREAK  
11:00 - 11:05Ceremony – Announcing new TABADUL member
11:05 - 11:35

PANEL 2
Bridging the Divide – Fungibility and the Future of Cross-Exchange Trading

  • Dual Listing Dilemmas: Demystifying the complexities of dual listings and navigating the challenges posed by regulatory disparities across exchanges.
  • Connecting the Dots: Exploring cutting-edge innovations that enhance connectivity and interoperability among global stock exchanges.
  • Fungibility: Friend or Foe? Analyzing the impact of trading fungibility on market liquidity, arbitrage strategies, and overall market efficiency.
  • Building a Regulatory Bridge: Discussing the need for collaborative regulatory frameworks to streamline trading environments and facilitate cross-exchange activity.
  • Benefits for All: Identifying the advantages of cross-exchange trading for both institutional and retail investors.
  • The Future is Now: Unveiling emerging trends and technologies that are revolutionizing cross exchange trading and shaping the future of market access.
  • Moderator:
    • Matthew O’Keefe, Managing Director, FTI Consulting
  • Panelists: 
    • Saker Asllan, Chief Exchange Operations Officer, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
    • Tony Tooma, Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa Sales, BNY Mellon
    • Zahi Bsaibes, Head of Primary Capital Markets, Middle East, London Stock Exchange
    • Redwan Ahmed, Group Senior Vice President - Investor Relations, DP World 
11:35 - 12:05

PANEL 3
The C-Suite Viewpoint: Why Investor Relations Matters

  • From Trust to Value: Building a foundation of trust and transparency through effective investor relations.
  • The IR Advantage: Unlocking the power of strategic investor relations to boost market valuation and shareholder confidence.
  • Communication is Key: Developing clear and consistent investor communication strategies for long-term success.
  • Beyond Compliance: Exploring the role of investor relations in fostering strong corporate governance practices.
  • Navigating Rough Waters: Proactive engagement during market volatility and building investor resilience.
  • The Long Game: Attracting and retaining long-term investment through a robust investor relations program.    
    • Moderator:
      • Marwa Faisal AlMaskati, Senior Director of Partnership Development, Sustainability and Communication, Bahrain Bourse
    • Panelists: 
      • Peter Van Driel, Chief Financial Officer, ADNOC Gas 
      • Sh. Ghassan Khamis Ali Al Hashar, Chief Financial Officer, Omantel
      • Hubert Lafeuille, Chief Financial Officer at Arabian drilling
      • Chris Wilson, Chief Financial Officer, Aldar Investment
12:05 - 12:25

FIRESIDE CHAT – Investor Engagement Best Practices. A view from Blackrock  

  • Presented by:
    • Manuel Isaza, Director Stewardship, BlackRock Investment Stewardship
    • Paolo Casamassima, Chief Executive Officer, MEIRA 
12:25 - 12:55

PANEL 4
The Future Is Now: AI and Digital Transformation In Investor Relations

  • Digital Revolution in IR: Most impactful digital tools applicable for IR and what it means for the scope of IR role. Recommended methods to enhance efficiency of financial reporting and analysis through AI
  • AI in IR: How AI is transforming IR workflows and processes. Emerging channels and methods of communication. Best practices for integrating AI-driven tools
  • Data Demystified: Leveraging data analytics to gain deeper insights into investor behaviour and preferences, peers and market sentiment. Leading practices for ensuring data integrity and accuracy 
  • The Power of Personalization: Utilizing digital insights to develop targeted and personalized IR strategies, including around communication and investor targeting
  • Regulatory considerations: Measures to ensure transparency and accountability when utilization digital tools and AI Digital compliance
    • Moderator:
      • Roger Brian Tejwani, Senior Director - Investor Relations, at Presight
    • Panelists: 
      • David Grunfeld, Founder, aiiro AI
      • Malshini Silva, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media, The Annual Report Company
      • Abdulwahab Zarah, Investor Relations Director, First Mills Company
      • Alicia Gallego-Martinez, Founder & CEO, Audere Strategies
12:55 - 14:00LUNCH AND CORPORATE ACCESS 1
14:00 - 14:45CORPORATE ACCESS 2
15:00 - 15:45CORPORATE ACCESS 3
16:00 - 16:45CORPORATE ACCESS 4
17:00 - 17:45CORPORATE ACCESS 5
18:00 - 18:45CORPORATE ACCESS 6 (OPTIONAL) 
19:00END
 
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS: Workshops run in couples simultaneously and last for 25 mins
14:00 - 14:25

WORKSHOP 1: Empowering The Region’s Retail Investors - by Edelman Smithfield

  • Presented by:
    • Issam Kassabieh, Account Director, Investor Relations, Edelman Smithfield
    • Ali Abdin, IR and Financial Communications Account Manager,
      Edelman Smithfield


WORKSHOP 2: Navigating Regulatory Compliance and Emerging Considerations - by Instictif Partners

  • Presented by:
    • Pablo Alday, Managing Partner, Instictif Partners
14:00 - 15:0012th GCC CEO Exchanges Meeting (Closed-Door, by invitation only)
14:30 - 14:55

WORKSHOP 3: The Integrated Reporting (and Thinking) Journey: A Case Study - by Smart Media

  • Presented by:
    • Malshini Silva, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Media The Annual Report Company


WORKSHOP 4: Mastering Earnings Calls – Best Practices for Engaging and Informative Earnings Events - by Lumi Global

  • Presented by:
    • Sylvie Harton, Chief Business Strategy Officer, Lumi Global 
14:55 - 15:15 COFFEE BREAK 
15:15 - 15:40 

AFTERNOON PANEL  – Integrating Governance and Investor Relations - by MEIRA & GCC BDI

  • Introduction and Remarks:
    • Andrew Tarbuck, Chairman, MEIRA
  • Moderator:
    • John Gollifer, Chief Executive Officer, GCC BDI
  • Panelists: 
    • Amani Korayeim, Director Corporate Product & Partnerships Europe/EMEA, Extel
    • Eline Hilal, Director – Investor Relations, Insurance, Aluminum Bahrain
    • Marc Hammoud, Head of Investor Relations, Abu Dhabi
      Ports Group
15:45 - 16:10 

WORKSHOP 5: Engaging North American Investors: Strategic Outreach for Middle Eastern Issuers - by InspIR Connect

  • Presented by:
    • Jeff Tewlow, Managing Director, InspIR Connect

WORKSHOP 6: Tabadul Session: Increase your global investor base via Tabadul Exchange Hub

  • Presented by:
    • Saker Asllan, Chief Exchange Operations Officer at ADX 
16:15 - 16:40

WORKSHOP 7: Mastering Reports: Guiding Newcomers and Overcoming Key 
Challenges for Experienced Professionals - by Fanda

  • Presented by:
    • Guy Lane, Head of Content, Fanda
    • Mikhail Seleznev, Senior Reporting Consultant and
      Sustainability Expert, Fanda

WORKSHOP 8: Leveraging AI to improve engagement with stakeholders - by Nasdaq

  • Presented by:
    • James Tickner, AVP – Head of Product, IR Intelligence, Nasdaq
    • Abishek Singh, Senior Director – IR , Nasdaq
16:45 - 17:10

WORKSHOP 9: Speaker Coaching and Story Telling for C-Suite and IROs - by Mediatree

  • Presented by:
    • Laurence Borde, Founder and Director, Mediatree

 

17:10END
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