CMA CEO GETS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION-
Nairobi September 20, 2017……The Capital Market Authority (CMA) Kenya’s Chief Executive, Mr. Paul Muthaura, has been elected the Vice Chairman of the Growth and Emerging Markets Steering Committee (GEM), representing the interests of over 75 percent of the membership of International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). GEM covers emerging markets including the BRICS, frontier and nascent capital markets with many of its members showing significant potential for economic growth in the long-term. The GEMC also includes 10 representatives to the G-20, which it works with intensively together with theFinancial Stability Board (FSB), towards the global regulatory reform agenda.
The election as the Vice Chairman of GEM adds another prestigious feather to Mr. Muthaura’s cap, being an elevation from his current position as the Vice Chair of the Africa Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of IOSCO. He further continues to serve on the IOSCO Board, to which he was elected in September 2014.
Kenya has been recognized as a leading voice in articulating policy concerns unique to emerging markets and developing economies and is fast gaining recognition as a reference point in discussions around technology innovations within the financial services sector globally.
Commenting on the recent appointment, Mr. Muthaura said; “The appointment is a welcome opportunity for Kenya to take a leadership position in the growth and emerging markets space and play a pivotal role in influencing policy discussions and global regulatory standards at the IOSCO Board level’’.
Mr. Muthaura added that his election as the GEM Vice Chair, cements Kenya’s position as a thought leader, given the major strides the country has made in transforming the capital market landscape by facilitating a robust legal and regulatory framework and introduction of new products, which serves to enhance issuer and investor confidence, while encouraging innovation.
Mr. Muthaura stands out among regulators in the growth and emerging markets for his role in spearheading the implementation of key reforms in the capital markets in Kenya, which have facilitated accelerated innovation and growth. Some of the key innovations include; the introduction of principles-based approval regime for new products and services; the rollout of Global Depositary Receipts and Notes, Exchange Traded Funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts, and Exchange Traded Derivatives; and the overhaul of Kenya’s Corporate Governance framework.
The recent appointment adds impetus to Mr. Muthaura’s role in developing practical solutions at GEM, AMERC and Board level in IOSCO to mitigate the unintended consequences of global regulatory reforms on emerging and frontier markets, strengthening Africa’s voice in the Financial Stability Board and the G-20 work-streams related to capital markets issues and fostering new approaches to capacity building by leveraging expertise within the membership.
The appointment of Mr. Muthaura comes against the backdrop of continued implementation of the Capital Market Master Plan (2014-2023), the industry’s 10-year blueprint, designed to bolster industry efforts to ensure that Kenya attracts local and foreign interest and investment.
This has seen the introduction of new products and pursuit of ambitions to list 3-4 companies annually to broaden and deepen the capital markets in Kenya as Nairobi seeks to be established as an International Financial Centre.
ENDS
BACKROUND INFORMATION ON GROWTH AND EMERGING MARKETS COMMITTEE (GEM)
The Growth and Emerging Markets Committee (GEM) is the largest Committee within IOSCO, representing over 75 percent of the IOSCO’s ordinary membership. Mr. Ranjit Ajit Singh, Chairman, Securities Commission, Malaysia, and Vice Chair of the IOSCO Board, is the Chair of GEM. The Committee seeks to promote the development and greater efficiency of emerging securities and futures markets by establishing principles and minimum standards, providing training programs and technical assistance for members and facilitating the exchange of information and transfer of technology and expertise.
GEM comprises 88 members and 19 non-voting associate members who include the world’s fastest growing economies and 10 of the G-20 members. Emerging economies are expected to represent a growing portion of IOSCO membership as new members continue to join.
IOSCO is the only international standard setter that has a Committee solely responsible for emerging market issues. This inclusiveness increases IOSCO’s effectiveness and positions it to play a bigger part in shaping the global regulatory framework: IOSCO has been allocated an extra seat at the Financial Stability Board Plenary for the Chairman of the GEM. The GEM also has a seat on the IFRS Foundation Monitoring Board.
The Africa/Middle East Regional Committee is one of the four regional committees constituted by IOSCO to focus on regional issues relating to securities regulation in the Africa/Middle East Region. The Committee is chaired by Mr. Mounir Gwarzo of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria and has 24 members from markets ranging from Financial Services Board South Africa, the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Capital Markets Authority Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority and the West Africa Monetary Union.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF SECURITIES COMMISSIONS (IOSCO)
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) is the international body that brings together the world’s securities regulators and is recognized as the global standard setter for the securities sector. IOSCO develops, implements and promotes adherence to internationally recognized standards for securities regulation. It works intensively with the G20 and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) on the global regulatory reform agenda.
BACKROUND INFORMATION ON THE CAPITAL MARKETS AUTHORITY
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) was set up in 1989 as a statutory agency under the Capital Markets Act Cap 485A. It is charged with the prime responsibility of both regulating and developing an orderly, fair and efficient capital markets in Kenya with the view to promoting market integrity and investor confidence.
The regulatory functions of the Authority as provided by the Act and the regulations include; Licensing and supervising all the capital market intermediaries; Ensuring compliance with the legal and regulatory framework by all market participants; Regulating public offers of securities, such as equities and bonds & the issuance of other capital market products such as collective investment schemes; Promoting market development through research on new products and services; Reviewing the legal framework to respond to market dynamics; Promoting investor education and public awareness; and Protecting investors’ interest. For further press information, please contact: Antony Mwangi, Head of Corporate Communications, on Email: amwangi@cma.or.ke
