The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Tuesday held a workshop for the listed companies in order to create awareness on the mandatory investor relations (IR) rules regime, which will be introduced later this year.
The IR rules comprises several base line provisions in the QSE rulebook and requirements published in February. From October 2019, each company listed on the QSE will be required to appoint an IR officer, create and maintain a dedicated IR section on its website, and publish an investor presentation and hold at least one investor conference call after publication of its annual, semi-annual and quarterly reports.
The QSE has invested in a number of initiatives in the area of IR over recent years and this represents a further commitment to best practice in Qatar. Feedback from local and international investors suggests that Qatari listed companies are making significant strides in this area, but the QSE recognises the need for continuing improvement since good IR has knock-on effects in terms of valuation, liquidity and ultimately ‘trust’ in the Qatari market.
“The existing disclosure rules are based on regional best practice and Qatari companies clearly meet these regulatory standards. What we are talking about is doing more than the regulatory minimum which is an important differentiating factor for emerging markets,” said Rashid bin Ali al-Mansoori, chief executive of QSE.
Abdul Aziz al-Emadi, director (Listing Department) and who led the workshop, said the IR rules are part of the QSE’s commitment to create effective communication channels and improve and encourage the ongoing communication between companies listed on the main market of the QSE and the investor community.
"Qatar’s inclusion in a number of important indices in the recent years, including the MSCI, FTSE and Standard & Poor’s indices, is an important indicator of progress made by Qatar and thus the IR function is critical to the successful ongoing development of our companies and the promotion of our market, both domestically and internationally,” he said.
The QSE has invested in a number of initiatives in the area of IR over recent years and this represents a further commitment to best practice in Qatar. Feedback from local and international investors suggests that Qatari listed companies are making significant strides in this area, but the QSE recognises the need for continuing improvement since good IR has knock-on effects in terms of valuation, liquidity and ultimately ‘trust’ in the Qatari market.
“The existing disclosure rules are based on regional best practice and Qatari companies clearly meet these regulatory standards. What we are talking about is doing more than the regulatory minimum which is an important differentiating factor for emerging markets,” said Rashid bin Ali al-Mansoori, chief executive of QSE.
Abdul Aziz al-Emadi, director (Listing Department) and who led the workshop, said the IR rules are part of the QSE’s commitment to create effective communication channels and improve and encourage the ongoing communication between companies listed on the main market of the QSE and the investor community.
"Qatar’s inclusion in a number of important indices in the recent years, including the MSCI, FTSE and Standard & Poor’s indices, is an important indicator of progress made by Qatar and thus the IR function is critical to the successful ongoing development of our companies and the promotion of our market, both domestically and internationally,” he said.
