CFA Institute, the preeminent global body of investment professionals, has announced that despite the global economic downturn, a record number of 6,227 investment professionals from nine GCC and Middle East countries reaffirmed their commitment to the highest level of professionalism by enrolling for the CFA exams across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt. This represents a 26 percent increase from last year. “During this time of great uncertainty in financial markets, it is critical that the global investment profession upholds what all CFA charterholders hold true: ethics, rigor, tenacity, and analytics,” said John Rogers, CFA, president and CEO of CFA Institute. “Market turbulence, low investor confidence, and regulatory reforms present CFA Institute and its current and aspiring CFA charterholders with the opportunity to lead the profession and to put investors' interests first.” The CFA examination is considered by many to be the investment profession's most rigorous credentialing program. Level I is administered twice per year, in June and December, and Levels II and III are administered just once per year, in June. Nitin Mehta, managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at CFA Institute, said “globally, we have seen a 14 percent increase in examination registrations from fiscal year 2008. In the GCC and Middle East, overall registrations grew by 26 percent, with Oman (34 percent), UAE (31 percent), Bahrain (28 percent), Lebanon (27 percent), Egypt (26 percent), Jordan (12 percent), Saudi Arabia (7 percent), Qatar (6 percent) and Kuwait (5 percent), leading the way.”
