UAE’s leading association for financial and investment professionals, CFA Emirates, recognised 27 new charterholders at its annual ceremony in Abu Dhabi yesterday (January 21).

The association held its charterholder ceremony at the Shangri-la with nearly 100 guests and society members in attendance, said a statement.

Since 2008, the number of candidate registrations for the exam has increased by 21 percent globally, and 13 percent in the Middle East, increasing from 4627 in 2008 to 5240 in 2011.

The UAE continues to attract a large number of registrations with 38 percent of total candidates currently registered for the 2012 exams based in the country, the statement said.

Over the last five years, CFA Emirates has grown to be one of the most important societies of CFA Institute in the EMEA region. It continues to be one of the largest CFA societies in the Middle East with a 114 percent increase in members over the past five years.

There are 445 charterholders based in the Emirates with an additional 90 members, giving CFA Emirates a combined membership of 535 in total, comprising portfolio managers, analysts, chief investment officers, chief executive officers, investment advisers, pension plan investment officers and senior financial consultants.

Yacoub Husein Nuseibeh, president, CFA Emirates, said: "The UAE continues to consolidate its position as the financial centre of the region. Consequently the society has taken the lead in promoting, though leadership and discussion, a broad range of topical issues in what has been a demanding year for the financial industry.”

“We hosted the CFA Institute Middle East Investment Conference in Abu Dhabi, featuring 16 presentations and six international speakers to meet our charter holders and members. We have another programme scheduled for 2012. We will shortly be hosting our third annual National Investment Research Challenge where the champions will represent the UAE at the regional EMEA final in London, and CFA Institute will host its annual Middle East Investment Conference in Doha in March, ahead of the next set of examinations in June," he said.

Nitin Mehta, managing director for EMEA region, CFA Institute, said: "We have seen considerable challenges and changes across the Middle East in the past year, both regionally and within the winder context of the global financial crisis.”

“Despite this, the enthusiasm and demand for educated and better qualified professionals in the financial sector continues to flourish. We anticipate the demand for highly qualified professionals, such as CFA charterholders, will continue to remain strong as we look to 2012, reflecting the growth and optimism coming from many parts of the region." – TradeArabia News Service