Main topics discussed on day 1:

A welcome note by Dr. Ahmed Saad Abd El-Latif- the Chief of the Regional Subcommittee (MENA-IFIE),in which he addressed the importance of adding the Arabic language as an official and standardized language for investor education in the Arab region markets, also he stressed on the severe importance of educating the Arab investors that would require unifying concepts and beliefs among traders in all the Arabic markets.

In this regard he pinpointed the heterogeneity of the markets` dealers , therefore an educational strategy adopting market segmentation concept should be applied to deal with investor awareness groups in different manners.

Steven Joachim`s welcome note – Chairman of the International Forum for Investor Education (IOSCO) commended the attendance that signifies an assuring and encouraging start of the committee`s role in investor`s education & awareness, and that reflects the effort exerted in organizing the conference .He referred to the emergence of the International forum for Investor Education (IFIE) in 2005 and his role in supporting and activating the regional committees headed by the Regional Committee of the Arab Region. Also he indicated the reasons of the international crisis stating that the most important reason was insufficient investor knowledge.

Speech by Dr. Ziad Bahaa El-Din – the chairman of the Egyptian Supervisory authority(EFSA)- in which he emphasized that the international crisis demonstrated the need for investor education. He mentioned that the EFSA affiliate training institute will be assigned to raise the efficiency of the market participants in accordance rebuilding trust in the financial markets.

He further indicated that there are four different elements of supervision ; the regulatory rules, professional qualification in cooperation with the professional unions and associations, the financial supervisory authority (EFSA) , and the fourth element is awareness which is considered as an essential element for a proper completion of the regulatory square and to maintain sound regulatory process. Finally he added that this would take place through investor awareness with all the commercial risks , ways and systems for investor protection against non commercial risks. As well as the role of awareness in helping the investors to understand the opportunities and risks available in different fields of investments.

Panel I

How the Investor education program will lead to go beyond the financial crisis?

The first discussion panel discussed the international financial crisis and the fear and lack of confidence in the markets resulted , consequently the drawback of the proper investment decisions. Also the participants attributed the crisis to the lack of sufficient information, not following the rules of corporate governance and lack of financial literacy.

Panelists :

    - Dr Ahmed Saad, Chairman of IFIE-MENA.
    - Mr. Maged Shawky, Chairman of Egyptian Exchange.
    - Mr. Jaleel Tareef, Executive Director, Amman Stock Exchanges.
    - Mr. Omar Yidar, Chairman of Casablanca stock Exchange –Morroco.
    - Mr. Steven Joachim, Chairman of IFIE.

Panel II

The Role of Non-Banking Financial Institutions on Setting and Implementing the Investor Education Programs.

The second discussion panel discussed the role of Non-Monetary Financial Institutions in setting and implementing investor education programs . Each panelists highlighted the role of his organization in investor education and the main features of its strategy for setting programs in this respect over and above publications about the Libyan investor education experience was distributed.

Panelists :

    - Mr. Mohammed Abd el- Salam, Chairman of the Egyptian Investor Protection Fund.
    - Ms.Geraldine Walsh, Vice President and Deputy Council Investor Education, FINRA.
    - Ms. Kathryn Edmundson, Member of Advisory Board, IFIE.
    - Mr. Hesham Ibrahim, Chief of technical Office & Investor Education, EFSA.
    - Mr. Soliman Al Shahomi, Chairman of Libya Stock Exchange

Panel III

Investor Education Programs and its impact on Investor Protection. The third discussion panel setting and implementing investor education programs. Panelists referred to the need of state-legislations for investor protection, afterwards the role of traditional education programs ; such as professional education and training. As well as praising the Omani experiment in investor education in co-operation with the Ministry of Education for spreading investment culture to School and College students and to direct programs to women.

Panelists :
 

    -  Dr. Khaled Serry Siam, Vice-Chairman, EFSA.
    -  Ms. Geraldine Walsh, Vice President and Deputy Council Investor Education, IFIE.
    - Mr. Ahmed Abdel Kerim El Hooty, Manager of Information & Awareness-Muscat Stock Exchanges.
    -  Mr. Khaled Abu Heif, Board Member of the Egyptian Association of Securities.