Middle Eastern publicly-listed companies are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of online transparency as part of their strategy to implement best practice investor relations, the 2011 KWD Middle East Webranking annual survey showed. KWD annually reviews corporate websites across the region based on the requirements of the investment community. The survey showed that an increasing number of companies are turning to online channels to communicate with shareholders, disclosing more information on financials, corporate governance, CSR initiatives and company news on their websites. “Corporate websites have become the first port of call for investors, analysts, journalists or anyone seeking information about a specific company,” said Nicholas Lunt, Managing Director of M:Communications, the company that conducts the survey in the region each year. “Listed companies today are compelled to use online channels to tell their story and communicate their investment case - it is the fastest and most direct way of reaching their target audiences and subsequently of attracting investors.” The Webranking survey, which has expanded this year to include 138 of the largest listed companies from eight countries across the MENA region, showed that a growing number of companies across the region are also making use of social media channels to get their messages out. “The top 10 best performing Middle Eastern companies this year are increasingly making use of more advanced methods to engage with key audiences,” said Staffan Lindgren, Senior Partner of KWD International, M:Communications' sister company and the world's leading digital IR consultancy. “Many are now actively using social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to talk about their latest financial report, CSR campaigns, corporate events and general news about the company.” The winners of the KWD Webranking Survey were announced Monday during a seminar entitled “Success in Digital Investor Relations” which was held in the Armani Hotel Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The event, which is supported by the Middle East Investor Relations Society (MEIRS), saw representatives from the winning companies across the region attend and collect their awards. Keynote speaker at this year's event was EMEA CEO, Pascal Duval, Russell Investments, the leading global investment management company, who focused on ways in which GCC listed companies can enhance their equity story for international investors. He highlighted the importance of digital IR from the perspective of a fund manager and how this helps Russell Investments achieve its goals. “We are seeing a real demand for greater transparency and increased regulation. This is obligating companies to adopt superior disclosure policies. Most notably in the wake of the financial crisis and Arab Spring, we are monitoring to what extent demand for greater disclosure and transparency from investors has grown and steps regional companies now must take to enhance their profile and standing,” Duval said. Al Khalij Commercial Bank from Qatar emerged as overall winner in the Middle East, followed by Aamal Company, also from Qatar, in second place. UAE real estate group Emaar maintained its position as third best corporate website. “The aim of the KWD Webranking is to encourage transparency and best practice online Investor Relations across the region,” Lunt said. “With global financial markets in turmoil investors are becoming increasingly careful before making any kind of investment, especially in this region. Any company that wants to compete on an equal footing for international investor attention needs to address good online communications.”
