Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi, CEO of SCA, said that “this conference was convened as part of SCA's efforts to implement the initiatives introduced under its Strategic Plan 2017-2021. It serves as a confirmation that the UAE has created an investment environment ideal for attracting foreign investors due to its financial and social stability, the lack of restrictions on the movement of capital, the healthy macroeconomy, and the advanced infrastructure".
Dr. Al Zaabi explained that “the conference's topic was selected to reflect the importance of foreign investment and the role it plays in generating high economic growth rates, transferring and adapting technology, and increasing employment opportunities and market depth, especially in the case of indirect foreign investment". He indicated that SCA has been keen to organize this conference, in collaboration with the UASA, to shed further light on this topic and to focus the attention of investors and interested parties to the great advantages of investing in UAE-based capital markets".
For his part, Jalil Tarif, Secretary General of the UASA, said that “convening this conference comes in response to the rapid international developments in the world's capital markets. In spite of the high volatility in capital markets, which reflects the unsettled economic and political conditions, they have managed to establish their status in the technological, supervisory, and regulatory areas. Perhaps focusing on brokerage houses and the role they play in developing markets and attracting local and foreign investment reflects the growing interest in developing financial professions and building capacity for market professionals and financial services companies. Undoubtedly, Arab supervisory authorities play an instrumental role in enabling brokerage houses to become better at what they do, in line with the best international standards and practices and under a strict regulatory framework, with a special emphasis on training, capacity building, and appropriate governance standards to ensure stability and to protect markets against volatility as well as systemic and cyber risks".
In addition to the opening session, which includes the welcoming remarks and the keynote address, the conference is comprised of four main panels, the first of which addresses the regulatory framework and the role of regulators in developing capital markets. The second panel discusses the impact of financial technological advances on markets whereas the third one examines foreign investment and post-trade transparency. The fourth and final panel discusses building capacity in Arab capital markets.