ASEA conference to deliberate on global financial crises

The effect of global financial crisis on African markets is expected to be brain-stormed when experts in the securities market meet in the13th African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) conference to be hosted by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

According to a statement signed by the Head of Corporate Affairs, NSE, Mr. Sola Oni, the Exchange will be hosting the 13th African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) conference from Wednesday, December 2 to Saturday, December 5, 2009 in Abuja. His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCON, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria has graciously accepted to be the Special Guest of Honour.

The Association is currently represented by 20-member Exchanges serving 27 African countries.This year’s conference with the theme “Global Crisis: Opportunities for African Capital Markets”, presents a unique opportunity for African and global stock exchanges, financial regulators, quoted / listed companies, investment banks, pension fund administrators, portfolio managers, clearing and settlement agencies, issuing houses, stockbrokers, multinational organizations, high net-worth investors, and other market operators and service providers to articulate the road map for investment opportunities on African Exchanges in the wake of global market downturn.

This year’s forum, designed to leverage on the effects of the global financial crisis on African capital markets, provides the opportunity for serious discussion about foreign investment, public private partnerships, technology-driven growth, liquidity, regional integration, product diversity and risk management, among others. In all, eight sub-themes have been designed to adequately address the general theme.

According to Oni, “ This conference would also provide a unique platform for all participants to discuss issues and opportunities, and proffer ideas and solutions, with each other and with Nigeria’s regulators, including the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Debt Management Office (DMO), and other members of the Financial Services Coordinating Committee (FSRCC). A pantheon of experts in the securities industry, global fund managers and technocrats have accepted to make presentations at the international conference.

He noted that as a prelude to the conference, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, will on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 12.00p.m. address a World Press Conference on the concept, hosting strategy, and status of the Conference. The venue of the Press Conference is at the Stock Exchange House in Lagos.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange hosted the conference successfully in 2000 while NairobiStock Exchange, Kenya hosted the last edition in 2007. ASEA was set up on November 13, 1993, with the aim of nurturing systematic mutual cooperation and facilitating the exchange of information among its members.

The association provides a forum for mutual communication, exchange of information, technological assistance and cooperation among its members. The organization aids in the facilitation of financial integration within the region, for the effective mobilization of capital to accelerate economic development across Africa.