Dr. Islam Azzam, the new chairman of the Egyptian Stock Exchange, expressed his gratitude to the political leadership for the trust placed in him. He emphasized that this trust motivates him to continue working hard to enhance the role of the capital market in serving the national economy and developing its mechanisms to align with the best international practices. He stated that the upcoming period will see an acceleration in strategic initiatives including the introduction of financial derivatives, activation of the market maker mechanism, and the securities lending mechanism for short selling. These steps aim to support economic growth by providing innovative financing and investment solutions that help companies grow and expand, while offering investors diverse options. Dr.

Azzam highlighted the exchange’s approach of continuous dialogue with market parties to formulate and implement policies that deepen market efficiency and competitiveness, attracting more investments and enhancing the Egyptian capital market’s status. He stressed that trading is fully subject to supply and demand forces, with no restrictions allowed that could limit market activity or growth, while ensuring full protection of good-faith traders’ rights and strict measures against violators in coordination with the Financial Regulatory Authority. Continuous coordination between the stock exchange and the Financial Regulatory Authority is maintained to improve the capital market system’s efficiency and support its role as a key driver of the national economy. Dr. Azzam expressed pride in the dedication of all stock exchange employees and emphasized the need for doubled efforts, innovation, and creativity to boost the exchange’s local, regional, and international standing.

He also announced intensified promotional efforts to attract more private companies for listing and offering, enhancing market liquidity and activity, increasing the Egyptian stock exchange’s attractiveness to local and international investors, and supporting government efforts to expand state ownership policy targets by broadening the ownership base of government companies through the capital market, which is crucial for increasing private sector participation in economic activity.