A key seminar on capital markets will be held tomorrow (April 8) at the Bahrain Bourse.

Organised jointly by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the BIBF, the evening seminar is titled, ‘Capital markets the way forward,’ said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It will assess the importance of the capital markets to economic development.

Speakers will draw on their international and regional experience to identify opportunities to shape the development of capital markets in Bahrain and the wider Middle East region.

Speakers on the panel include Bahrain Bourse chief executive Shaikh Khalifa bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, EDB chief economist Dr Jarmo Kotilaine, BIBF treasury, capital markets and dealing room head Hani Redha and Takaud chief actuary Jonathan Kemp.

"This event reviews the tremendous potential and growing importance of capital markets in the GCC region," Dr Kotilaine said.

"The coming years are likely to see significant market growth and diversification along with better mechanisms for pooling and mobilising capital," he added.

According to the EDB chief economist, this becomes significant in the context of regulatory reform limiting the ability of banks to cater to growing financing needs of GCC economies.

"But capital markets also have an important role to play in terms of providing long-term funding and driving the development of the regional corporate sphere through better governance and increased transparency.

"It is clear that there is a significant role for capital markets to play in financing future economic growth and I look forward to hearing the insights of the panellists at the event," he added.

Redha said there is a need to emphasise the critical role that capital markets play in the efficient allocation of resources in modern economies, especially in light of the ongoing development initiatives of the region.

"We are at a stage where the development of these capital markets and their liquidity will be dependent on the successful dissemination of this message," he added. - TradeArabia News Service