15 professionals in Oman qualify to receive CFA Charters

Muscat: With the support of CFA Society Emirates and CFA Institute; 15 investment professionals in Oman qualified to receive their CFA Charters and 20 more completed all levels of the examination (Charter awaited).
The new Charter holders at the event were bestowed with their Charters by Tahir bin Salim bin Abdullah Al Amri, the Executive President of Central Bank of Oman (CBO), during the fourth CFA Charter Award ceremony in Muscat sponsored by National Bank of Oman (NBO) at their headquarters.
There are now over 70 CFA Charter holders and members based in Oman, comprising of portfolio managers, analysts, Chief Investment Officers, Chief Executive Officers, investment advisers, pension plan investment officers and senior financial consultants. Oman has witnessed significant growth in new candidates aspiring to become CFA Charter holders, which is among the highest in the region, and there are currently over 125 candidates appearing for the CFA exams at various levels in the Sultanate.
Addressing at the event, which was attended by over 150 of Oman’s leading investment industry professionals, Al Amri said: “I would like to congratulate all the new Charter holders and we are delighted to see an increase in the number of Charter holders in Oman and to see more young Omanis undertake this challenging course. Qualified professionals are huge assets to the country for its continued growth and success.”
Speaking on behalf of CFA members, Sachin Sawrikar, CFA, announced that CBFS and CFA Institute are in an advanced stage of discussion to form CFA Oman. They expect the formalities to be completed soon and achieve the goal of formation of CFA Oman.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Yaseen Al Lawati, CFA welcomed the dignitaries and assured NBO’s continued support to CFA events in Oman in the future.
The event also saw a lively discussion themed “Oman’s Economic Diversification-Opportunities and Challenges”, by eminent panellists including Dr Hatim Shanfari, faculty member in the Department of Economics and Finance at Sultan Qaboos University; Dr Khalfan Al Barwani, Vice President of Central Bank of Oman and Chairman of College of Banking and Financial Services, Samra Al Harthy, Senior Manager Economic Research of the State General Reserve Fund. The panel discussion was moderated by Mayank Singh, Group Editor at United Media Services. The discussion included key aspects of the Omani Economy and how it is likely to navigate the recent lower oil price era. The impact this may have on different sectors, the resultant economic challenges, and potential solutions.