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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Dear international IR community,
On behalf of the Middle East I Association (MEIRA), it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to MEIRA 2023: From ESG to Sustainable Capital Markets, the MEIRA annual conference and awards taking place on 13 November 2023 in Manama City, Bahrain, in partnership with Bahrain Bourse.
2023 is a very special year for MEIRA in that we celebrate MEIRA's 15th anniversary. We have come a very long way thanks to you all in supporting the region's' independent, non-profit professional body for IR. Much is happening in our region and I as a profession is developing rapidly. It is no coincidence that this year's MEIRA theme focuses on ESG and its role in developing sustainable capital markets. At the heart of all this is IR. We are proud to be in partnership with BHB, one of the region's leading capital markets' players, and a huge supporter of MEIRA and all we stand for and do to promote best practice IR. Join us as we celebrate MEIRA 2023: From ESG to Sustainable Capital Markets. Registration is open and we look forward to your continued support as MEIRA embarks on its next 15 years with you!
Andrew TarbuckChair, MEIRA
About Bahrain Bourse
Bahrain Bourse Company B S C C is a self-regulated multi-asset marketplace. Bahrain Bourse aims to offer to its investors, issuers, and intermediaries a comprehensive suite of exchange-related facilities including offering listing, trading, settlement, and depositary services for various financial instruments.
We aim to offer our stakeholders with the best investment and trading solutions, and pair it with creative insights and problem solving skills to provide our investors, issuers, and intermediaries with valuable resources to meet their every expectation. Our key growth pillars underpins our way of conducting business and how we interact with our stakeholders: Origination, Innovation, Collaboration, and Pioneering Spirit, and all of them working together is what enables us to offer you with an "Oasis of Investment Opportunities".
Our history extends back to 1987, which marked the establishment of "Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE)", the predecessor of "Bahrain Bourse (BHB)". Since then, Bahrain Stock Exchange has achieved milestone successes, largely attributed to the support of the Government of Kingdom of Bahrain and the collaboration provided by its stakeholders. In 2010, Bahrain Bourse was established as a shareholding company to replace Bahrain Stock Exchange.
Since its establishment, BHB has joined several regional and international organizations such as the Union of Arab Stock Exchanges, World Federation of Exchanges "WFE", Africa & Middle East Depositories Association "AMEDA", and Association of National Numbering Agencies "ANNA", which enables Bahrain Bourse to bolster its position within the global capital markets.
"It is an honor to be hosting the MEIRA conference in 2023. This is a testament to Bahrain Bourse's ongoing commitment to attain best IR practice and engage with the market strategically, as this comes in line with our commitment in playing an active role to develop IR practices and our sustainability strategy that aims to enhance financial awareness. Hosting the MERA conference will further complement Bahrain Bourse's efforts to promote investor relations in Bahrain's capital market. This strategy, which is also consistent with the plan to boost capital markets as part of the Financial Services Sector Development Strategy 2022-2026, will strengthen Bahrain Bourse's role in attracting investments and broaden the investors and issuers base."
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al-KhalifaCEO of Bahrain Bourse
Panels
Explore our panelists and moderators
Keynote Address
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
Abeer AlSaad
Financial Institutions Supervision, Central Bank of Bahrain
Sh Khalifa Al Khalifa
Chief Executive Officer, Bahrain Bourse
Mohammed Al-Rumaih
Chief Executive Office, Saudi Exchange
Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al-Rumaih is the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Exchange, having assumed this role in April 2021. Since joining the Exchange in 2009, he has held several key leadership positions, including Chief of Markets, Head of Primary Market, and Chief of Sales and Marketing.
With extensive experience in the financial services sector, Mohammed has been a driving force behind the Exchange’s significant growth and transformation. His leadership has been pivotal in the implementation of market enhancements and the introduction of innovative financial products, solidifying the Exchange’s reputation as a leading capital market in the region and beyond.
Noteworthy achievements during his tenure include the Saudi Exchange’s inclusion in emerging market indices, the successful overhaul of the Nomu-Parallel Market, and facilitating the smooth public listing of Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest IPO, in 2019.
Mohammed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and an Executive MBA from from Manchester Business School.
Abdulla Alnuaimi
Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)
Panel 1 | CEO Plenary: Spotlight on GCC Markets
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
Patrick Cooke
Managing Editor Middle East and Asia, Oxford Business Group
Panel 2 | A Focus on Tabadul: Cross-Border Connectivity
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
Ajith Henry
Managing Director and Co-lead of Strategic Communications, Middle East, FTI Consulting
Karim Schoeib
Group CEO Investment Banking, AL Ramz Corporation PJSC
Laila El Adly
Project Manager, Operations, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
Nishit Lakhotia
Head of Research SICO BSC (c)
Anand Sampath
Managing Director & Head of Global, Payments First Abu Dhabi Bank
Fireside Chat: ESG Financing Enabling Energy Transition
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
Zeeba Askar
President, CFA Society Bahrain
Mark J. Thomas
Group CEO, Bapco Energies
Panel 3 | An International Perspective of Sustainability: Where Are We Now?
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
William Tohme
Managing Director, MFS International
Jana Jevcakova
Head of ESG International, Morrow Sodali
Silvina Bruggia
Director of Emerging Markets, Refinitiv
Ian McCallum
Chief Sustainability Officer, Bank ABC
Monaem Ben Lellahom
CEO/Founding Partner, Sustainable Square
Panel 4 | Case Study: Integrating ESG into IR
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
Kalyan Krishnan
Head of Markets, KPMG
Abdulrahim Abdulhameed
Senior Associate & Sustainability Officer, NBB
Jasmine Mehta
Vice President | ESG & Climate Corporate Sales, EMEA, MSCI
Fadi Al Qutub
Chief Investment Officer, Saudi Re
Simon Messenger
Market Engagement Fellow, ISSB IFRS Foundation
Eline Helal
Director - Investor Relations, Insurance & Co. Secretary, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)
Meira Talk: IR Revolution
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
Oskar Yasar
Managing Partner, Broome Yasar
Issa Al Issa
Chief of Business Development, Tadawul Advanced Solutions Company (Wamid)
Panel 5 | Case Study: Robo-Iro, the future?
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
Alicia Gallego
Founder & Adviser, Audere Strategies
Adam Scott
Executive Director - Securities Processing and Corporate Actions, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Sofia El Boury
Head of Investor Relations, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Sylvie Harton
Chief Business Strategy Officer, LUMI
Turki Alashaik
Investor Relations, VP STC
Panel 6 | IR Key Takeaways
November 13, 2023
Manama, Bahrain
Amani Korayeim
EMEA Director, Institutional Investor
Diana Estupinan
Chief Client Office, IR and ESG Advisor, Instinctif Partners
Akshay Coppa
Vice President of Products and Partner, Euroland IR
Patrick Clerkin
Head of Group Funding & Investor Relations, Emirates NBD
Agenda
Our Sponsors
ARGAAM
Argaam Investment is a Saudi Arabian data and news company that covers GCC financial and a primary source to media & financial news as it provides real-time updates on financial markets as well as market data and analysis, interviews, and coverage of stock listed across the region. Was launched in 2005 and for 16 years, Argaam Investment has constantly provided GCC market with financial data solutions to shape the 360 financial data products. Also provides a wide vertical of society and sports news to its products family:
- Argaam Plus
- Investor Relations
- Business Solutions
- Akhbaar24
- Sports
SMART MEDIA THE ANNUAL REPORT COMPANY
Smart Media The Annual Report Company has a track record spanning more than 25 years and over 2,000 annual reports. It is an accredited Training Partner of the IFRS Foundation for the International Integrated Reporting Framework with a license for 14 countries including UK, KSA, and some of the other GCC countries. Smart Media has guided over a hundred clients on their integrated reporting journeys. Smart Media is also a trailblazer in digital reporting. The Company prepared their first end-to-end online HTML annual report for a client in 1999. Driven by a business model built on three strategic pillars – SmartLabs (research and development), SmartAcademy (capacity building of report preparers) and SmartWorks (the core business of report preparation and production) – Smart Media offers a complete end to end service, including consultancy, training, design, writing, editing, preparation, and publication in any required format or medium.
ALMARAI
Founded in 1977, Almarai Company is the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy company and the region’s largest food and beverage manufacturing and distribution company. Headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Almarai is ranked as the number one FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) brand in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region and is the market leader in most of its categories across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
After more than 40 years of sustainable growth, Almarai continues to provide nutritious and healthy products to consumers of all ages, with success derived from the bedrock principle of ‘Quality you can trust’. In addition to its high-quality dairy products, Almarai has diversified its product portfolio to include juices, bakery, poultry and infant formula under the brand names Almarai, L’usine, 7days and Alyoum. Meanwhile, the Company operates successful joint ventures with Chipita and PepsiCo.
As at 31st December 2020, Almarai’s paid up share capital amounted to SAR 10 billion, consisting of 1 billion fully paid and issued shares of SAR 10.00 each.
Vision:
To grow our leading position as the trusted choice for food and beverages in the region, delighting consumers with quality nutrition every day”
Mission:
To provide quality and nutritious food and beverages that enrich consumers’ lives every day.
Values:
Adaptable, Sharing, Passionate, Innovative, Respect, Excellence
BNY MELLON
We provide Depositary Receipt (DR) services to the global capital markets, delivering customized and market-driven solutions for issuers, brokers and investors. We are a pioneer in the DR market and our execution and expertise have helped us achieve a leadership position in the industry. We offer a full range of buy side and sell side services to help facilitate financing in the global capital markets via DRs including, local custody arrangements, issuances and cancellation and structuring corporate actions.
BNY Mellon Depositary Receipts is independent from the influence of investment banking, trading, and research, allowing us to support our DR clients’ access to a wider range of market opportunities. We have specialists dedicated to helping issuers fully realize market access with investor relations and ESG advisory solutions, Market Connect services and analytical solutions.
EUROLAND IR
Euroland IR has been assisting companies in improving their Investor Relations by providing Best Practice tools and outstanding 24/7 service for years. Rather than embracing an approach that settles for being a Jack of all trades, we believe in being the master of one.
In niching ourselves and focusing on improving the web-based IR communication of our customers, we are able to provide the most technologically advanced and user-friendly solutions in the industry. Our services are second to none.
Intuitive design enables comprehensive understanding of your equity story. It is the blueprint to our tools. Making them accessible and interactive encourages users to engage further with your financial history. This is how we engage investors.
Striving always to stay ahead of the curve, we work tirelessly to reinvent and improve the way you communicate with your investors and build relationships with your stakeholders.
About First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
FAB is the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest financial institutions. FAB’s vision is to create value for its employees, clients, customers, shareholders and communities to grow stronger through differentiation, agility and innovation.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the bank’s international network spans five continents, providing global relationships, expertise and financial strength to support local, regional and international businesses seeking to do business at home and abroad. FAB is a trusted adviser and regional partner to major institutions, emerging companies and individuals seeking to do business in the UAE, the MENA region and beyond. As an engine of growth for the region, it helps clients to thrive and grow stronger by managing risk, providing access to capital and facilitating trade flows across developed and emerging markets.
FAB continuously anticipates evolving requirements, develops innovative solutions and moves in tandem with customers to offer an extensive range of tailor-made products via its market-leading Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) and Personal Banking Group (PBG) franchises.
Aligned to the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision, inspired by global standards and guided by the expectations of stakeholders, FAB takes a leading role in fostering development and driving change towards a more sustainable future. FAB sees beyond traditional banking and embraces a challenger mindset. Its ambition is to contribute to social and human development which creates a dynamic, inclusive and tolerant society.
With total assets of AED 866 Billion (USD 236 Billion) as of June-end 2020, FAB is rated Aa3/AA-/AA- by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, respectively, the strongest combined ratings of any bank in the MENA region. The Bank has been ranked by Global Finance as the safest bank in the UAE and the Middle East and the best bank in the UAE. The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks 2020 list, measured by Tier 1 capital, ranked FAB as number one in the UAE, second in the Middle East and 85th across the globe – in addition to ranking the bank #109 by assets in the same list. FAB was also ranked first in the UAE, 4th in the Arab world and 303rd globally in Forbes annual ranking of the world’s 2000 largest public companies.
INSTINCTIF
Instinctif Partners is an EMEA business communications consultancy, experts in reputation, influence and communication. We help our clients to engage complex audiences, offering a comprehensive suite of communications solutions, including insight-led board level consultancy executed with creative flair. Our work delivers tangible commercial value, while communicating societal purpose. We work across borders and jurisdictions focused on delivering measurable outcomes, not producing outputs. We are big enough to deliver multi-stakeholder, co-ordinated solutions but small enough to be partners with all our clients.
We employ 300 people in 10 offices across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
FANDA
Fanda is an international corporate reporting consultancy providing strategic insight and flawless execution for emerging market companies. Fanda has a highly successful track record in publishing compliant and best practice annual reports, integrated reports, sustainability reports, and ESG reports.
Over the last 22 years, our team of experts has published over 1,000 reports for corporates across sectors and borders.
Fanda has a flexible approach – clients can choose the precise level of support they need, from strategic consultancy to tactical production. Services include best practice consultancy, copywriting, translation (including Arabisation), design and production, online reporting, and XBRL tagging.
Key differentiators:
- Proprietary software enabling simultaneous publication of PDF and online versions
- Knowledge of reporting frameworks and best practice standards
- Significant resources to give every project the attention and care it merits
- Creative flair to give reports distinctive and effective visual impact
Fanda operates from offices in Dubai, London, Estonia, Armenia and Kazakhstan. Until 2022, the company operated under the name Zebra Corporate communications.
Venue
The 2023 Annual Conference & Awards took place at The Ritz Carlton, Bahrain. The hotel is located in the heart of Manama's Seef district, a secluded paradise that offers a private beach, luxury villas and award-winning dining.
The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom and its luminous exhibition area was dedicated exclusively to MEIRA delegates, giving the attendees the opportunity to enjoy an outstanding Bahraini hospitality offering.
2024 meira annual conference
Bridging Opportunities:
Accelerating IR in the Middle Eastern Capital Markets
