The Palestine Exchange (PEX) Gears up for the 5th Annual Palestinian Capital Market Forum on Monday, 21 November 2011

RAMALLAH, Palestine, November 3, 2011 -

Under the Auspices of Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad, the Forum Will Focus on Developing ‘Strategies for the Future’ for Local Family Businesses

The PEX 5^th Annual Palestinian Capital Market Forum (www.pex.ps/forum) will convene in Ramallah, Palestine on 21 November 2011 and will join together industry leaders, up-and-comers, and family businesses to conceive blueprints for the business development of family-run companies. Special attention will be paid to the potential for those companies to transition into public shareholding companies.

Mr. Ahmad Aweidah, Chief Executive Officer of PEX, noted that this year’s theme centering on the evolution of family businesses into public shareholding companies is in line with PEX’s resolve to integrate smaller businesses into the Exchange. He emphasized the importance of smaller companies, asserting that, “Family businesses are a critical pillar of the Palestinian economy and it is our belief that these businesses, once listed on the exchange, will increase market depth and strengthen the trade network significantly.”

Mr. Aweidah added that a wide range of issues relevant to this transitioning will be covered, as well as the boost such a shift can provide to the business environment in Palestine - particularly with regard to institutionalizing standards and practices, promoting sustainable growth, and increasing transparency.

At the forum, an array of local, regional and international experts will mobilize in an effort to address topics such as generational transitions of family-owned businesses, the status of and challenges facing family business in Palestine, regional case studies of family businesses shifting to public shareholding companies, as well as the specifics associated with the initial public offering (IPO) road map and valuation in IPOs.

Speakers will include Mr. Neil Janin, Director Emeritus of McKinsey & Company Inc. in France; Mr. Samih Darwazah, Chairman of Hikma Pharmaceuticals in Jordan; Ms. Samar Obaid, Partner at Ernst & Young in Jordan; Ms. Hiba Husseini, Managing Partner of Husseini and Husseini Attorneys & Counselors at Law in Palestine; and Mr. Ziad Anabtawi, Partner and General Manager of Anabtawi Group in Palestine.

The Annual Palestinian Capital Market Forum constitutes a major attraction for Palestine’s financial and capital markets community; it is serves as an opportunity to meet listed companies, regulators, Palestine Exchange executives, market analysts, stock brokers and bankers. The Forum offers an environment conducive to sharing local and global business experiences, to exploring new opportunities, and to the growth of this vital sector - thus contributing to the development of the Palestinian National Economy.

For more information contact:
Ms. Fida’ Musleh/Azar
Manager of Public Relations & Investor Education
Tel: +970 (or +972) 9-2390999
Mobile: +970 (or +972) 599-828-608
Email: fida.azar@pex.ps
http://www.pex.ps

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