National Investor Education Week
The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) concluded its successful National Investment Education Week (NIEW), which was held from September 27 – October 3, 2008 under the distinguished patronage of the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Kenneth Hall.
The week of activities commenced on Saturday, September 27, 2008 with a church service at the Kencot Seventh Day Adventist Church where His Worship Major Desmond McKenzie brought greetings on behalf of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation. The message was delivered by Pastor Herman Ming. He implored the JSE and the FSC to “Go with God” in implementing the week’s programmes.
On Monday, September 29, 2008 the Governor General signaled at 9:30a.m. the opening of the Stock Market with the new Bell Ringing Ceremony. This was a historic occasion as it the first event of its kind in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The JSE shared a very proud moment with Their Excellences who commended the JSE on this initiative. Members that were on hand to witness this occasion were: the Acting Executive Director of the FSC, Mr. George Roper, Deputy Chairman of the JSE, Miss Sandra Shirley, General Manager of the JSE Mrs. Marlene Street Forrest and member of the JSE and FSC staff.
On Tuesday, September 30, 2008 there was a media briefing at the FSC where Mr. George Roper assured investors and the public that the 60 securities dealers supervised by the Commission were adequately capitalized and could meet their everyday obligations to clients. In the evening, a public forum was held at the Terra Nova Hotel which focused on educating investors about the safeguards of the financial system.
Over 2,600 investors and potential investors attended the JSE/FSC Expo at the Hilton Kingston Hotel on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. A high point of the expo was the launch of the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s Game for High School. The keynote speaker was the Minister of Education and Youth; the Honourable Andrew Holness who endorsed the event which he said was timely and will afford students participating in the game an opportunity to become financially savvy. He felt that the issue of financial literacy is one that must be addressed by schools and as such he hopes that there will be more collaboration between the Ministry and the Private Sector to achieve this goal.
Other events during this special week included a public outreach at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School on Thursday, October 2, 2008.
The week culminated with a Luncheon at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on October 3, 2008; among the attendees were the Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon. Audley Shaw, who spoke about the government’s ability to source cheaper capital through Multi-lateral institutions. Mr. William “Bill” Clarke was the Keynote Speaker and shared the 10 commandments for investing with the audience. He appealed to all investors to ensure that they inform themselves before they invest. This was a well received message in light of alarming global economic condition and the fallout caused by the demise of local Unregulated Financial Organizations.
The National Investor Education Week will be a calendar event for the financial sector.
For further information please contact Nadene Newsome (FSC) at 906-3010 or Neville Ellis (JSE) at 967-3271 or 341-1205.
