Investment management in the Middle East has a new trade body, which its founders say will give a “much needed” voice for fund managers in the region. The Middle East Investment Management Association (MEIMA) will serve as the “representative body and ideas hub for a sector that is a cornerstone of the Middle East economy”. MEIMA is also the first regional institution of its kind in the Middle East, the founders said. Regulatory engagement and assistance to firms setting up operations in the Middle East are two of the organisation’s broad objectives, with the focus heavily on Gulf countries such as Abu Dhabi and UAE. MEIMA, which is membership-based, also intends to create a networking environment that includes asset owners and asset servicers. MEIMA is registered with and established at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. David Rothon (pictured second from right) chair of MEIMA and chief executive at AD Global Investors, said: “MEIMA has been founded with a vision to create a bigger investment marketplace across the Mena region, to improve liquidity, to make it easier to invest region-wide and to bring industry professionals together. This association will become a focus point for the investment industry, driving best practice, raising levels of service and execution, and working together to improve the regional environment for asset management.” Maroun Jalkh (pictured second from left), chair of the membership, events and communications sub-committee of MEIMA and CEO at Azimut (ME), said membership is open to professional companies like lawyers and wealth managers. Founding members of the organisation include Apex Group, Digital Spring Ventures, AD Investment Management, Freedom Asset Management, Northern Trust Corporation and Aarna Capital. Also pictured are Bhaskar Dasgupta (left) and Craig Roberts of Apex Group. ©2022 funds global mena