CFA Bahrain and Barclays Global Investors host key event to discuss $890bn international ETF's market

Speaking about the need to achieve strategic and tactical asset allocation using ETFs, as well as the benefits associated with analyzing inversed and leveraged ETFs. Over 30 CFA Bahrain members were addressed by Deborah Fuhr, BGI's Managing Director and Global Head of ETF Research and Implementation Strategy, as well as, Robert Broadwell, Regional Business Director, GCC for iShares, the world's largest family of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) from Barclays Global Investors. This was followed by a broader discussion involving members of the audience.

Within the current market, ETFs have become one of the popular investment tools in the investment banking industry, providing an investment vehicle which offers the ability to trade on commodities, stock and bonds. It is also a very attractive investment tool due to its low costs, tax efficiencies, and stock-like features.

Mr. Khalil Nooruddin, the president of CFA Bahrain Said:

"ETFs have became a very popular investment tool over the past few years and the ETF market has seen significant growth from $800 million in 1993 to $890.5bn in 2009. As a leading society for investment professionals we have always supported a strong educational programme to the work that we do within the Kingdom. We believe that strong thought leadership and the promotion of these kinds of educational events are very important for the investment community in Bahrain and the region, in order to encourage and promote the development of the local capital market and its professional skills."

Speaking on behalf of BGI, Robert Broadwell, iShares Regional Business Director, GCC said: 'At iShares we have seen an increased interest in ETFs in the region and have been concentrating on providing educational opportunities for investors and investment professionals alike to ensure that these useful products are utilised to their full potential in a portfolio. iShares is committed to education and are pleased to partner with CFA Bahrain to help fulfill this mission.'