CFA Institute, the global association of investment management professionals, today announced its intention to open a CFA Institute office in the Middle East next year.

The CFA Institute will work in close partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market, ADGM, the International Financial Centre in Abu Dhabi, to establish its new presence to advance the CFA Institute mission to lead the investment profession by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society.

The office opening will be marked by a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signing ceremony, between CFA Institute and ADGM, in Abu Dhabi next month. The collaboration between CFA Institute and ADGM underscores the mutual commitment of both organisations to contribute to a growing international centre of excellence for knowledge in the Middle East and beyond.

The Middle East and North Africa, MENA, region is a key market for CFA Institute, with over 5,200 members and charterholders and eight societies. A total of 5,773 candidates registered for the June 2017 exams across the MENA region, an increase of 8 percent over the prior year, with the greatest number of candidates in the United Arab Emirates (1,909), Saudi Arabia (869) and Egypt (544).

Gary Baker, CFA, Managing Director for CFA Institute in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said, "By establishing a permanent presence in Abu Dhabi, the opening of this new office signifies our commitment to the Middle East and North Africa. We are excited at the prospect of partnering with our local member societies that already achieve fantastic results for CFA Programme candidates, members, and charterholders across the MENA region. By supporting local societies, we can intensify our efforts to build market integrity, enhance market transparency, and embed professionalism and excellence in the regional investment management industry."

Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Director of Human Resources and General Services, ADGM, said, "We warmly welcome CFA Institute to the ADGM family. Since ADGM announced its Knowledge Hub in May this year, we have received positive feedback and support from the Abu Dhabi Education Council, key Abu Dhabi institutions, global business schools and corporate stakeholders. The ADGM Academy, one of the strategic pillars of the Knowledge Hub, will soon offer a comprehensive curriculum of training and courses for the financial services industry. We hope to work closely with CFA Institute to explore new initiatives which strengthen the capabilities, proficiency and experience of financial professionals in Abu Dhabi and the wider region."