There is no question that the rules of business in the Middle East, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council, have changed in response to the global economic slowdown of 2008/09. Treasurers are being challenged in trade finance, volatile financial risk markets and in the supply chain. What treasurers and other financial managers need, therefore, is a set of flexible guidelines within an analytical framework that will allow them to protect and enhance the financial and operational health of their businesses.
This holds true for economies in all stages of development but particularly those where growth strategies are pressured by the rising demands of a youthful and knowledge-thirsty population and a need to broaden reliance from limited areas of economic activity. There can surely be no better time to champion the value of financial education, and of treasury management qualifications in particular.
The ACT’s qualifications deliver the knowledge, skills and techniques essential for everyone working in treasury, accountancy, risk, financial management, banking, relationship management and financial consultancy. To date, over 10,000 candidates from leading financial institutions and international organisations have enrolled on the ACT's treasury management, risk management and corporate finance education programmes. I would urge all our readers, old and new, to visit the ACT's website (www.treasurers.org/qualifications) to ensure they and their colleagues are as prepared for the future as they can be.
PETER MATZA
Head of Publishing
