Munich Private Equity Partners: Best Global Private Equity Portfolio Management Team Germany 2016

Though of paramount importance to any investor, numbers do not tell the whole story. Munich Private Equity Partners (MPEP) maintains a solid track record in managing private equity portfolios thanks to the firm’s almost stoic adherence to – and insistence on – quality as a time constant. Whilst blips, lapsing by their very nature, may provide momentary returns; looking at trends and performance over long timespans always produces superior results.

Committed to continuously improving and fine-tuning its procedures, and inspiring fund managers to reach new heights by appealing to their entrepreneurial spirit, MPEP manages to extract optimum and stable returns for its clients. Established on the premise that solid partnerships require both diligence and a degree of savvy, the fiercely independent company remains true to its founding principles.

The private equity firm oversees more than 190 private equity fund investments with more than 2,700 companies worldwide, primarily in the lower mid- and mid-market buyout segment. Amongst others, MPEP offers institutional investors fund of funds products. As a mid-sized fund manager, the firm has the in-house experience and expertise to operate globally without sacrificing personalised services.

The CFI.co judging panel is impressed by the firm’s relentless dedication to quality and its quest to improve procedures as well as outcomes. The judges are very pleased to offer MPEP the 2016 Best Global Private Equity Portfolio Management Team Germany Award.


Inversis Banco: Best Banking Technology Innovator Spain 2016

Widely recognised as representing the gold standard of institutional investment banking in Spain, Inversis Banco offers its knowledge and experience to financial services providers throughout the country and abroad. The bank is sharply focused on delivering the highest quality when it comes to the execution, custody, and liquidation of equity trades. Inversis Banco also acts as an intermediary between investors and some of the world’s most prominent fund managers.

With a client centric approach built in to its corporate DNA and a team of exceptionally experienced professional, Inversis Banco is known for crafting innovative solutions that fit seamlessly with client requirements. The bank leverages the full power of its high-tech infrastructure to produce tailormade offerings that consistently raise the bar. Inversis Banco maintains a state-of-the-art technological platform that is continually updated to drive growth.

Committed to outperforming its peers, Inversis Banco has accumulated a roster of clients that is the envy of the industry. Its market analysis department has gained a reputation for excellence thanks to its holistic approach to research and regularly produces technical analysis reports that enable investors to access opportunities not available elsewhere.

The bank also offers deep analysis of existing investment portfolios that allows for the early identification of risk. Inversis Banco’s macroeconomic research, compiled into regular market watch reports, keep clients abreast of trends as they unfold.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note that the bank kept its leading edge and wishes to recognise this with an award for the second year running. The judges therefore declare Inversis Banco winner of the 2016 Best Banking Technology Innovator Spain Award.


Barington Capital Group: Best Activist Investor Corporate Governance Team United States 2016

A value-oriented activist investor since early 2000, Barington Capital Group, L.P. invests in undervalued publicly-traded companies that it believes can appreciate significantly in value via improved corporate governance, operations, capital allocation and business strategy.

Barington’s team of seasoned professionals leverage their experience to help companies design and implement policies and initiatives to significantly improve long-term shareholder value.

The firm’s founder James Mitarotonda has established a solid reputation for investing in undervalued companies and moving quickly and decisively to help such companies unlock their value potential.

Barington has helped improve corporate governance and transparency at numerous publicly traded companies and is one of the first activist investment funds to recognize that strengthening a company’s corporate governance helps facilitate the introduction and implementation of new measures to improve long-term performance.

Barington Capital Group boasts considerable experience investing in consumer-focused companies.  It has held significant stakes in companies such as Avon Products, Chico’s, The Children’s Place, Darden Restaurants, Dillard's, The Jones Group, Lone Star Steakhouse, Nautica, Pep Boys, Steven Madden and Warnaco.

Over the past three years, nine companies have made significant improvements to their boards after Barington’s involvement.

The CFI.co judging panel is delighted to offer Barington Capital Group its 2016 Best Activist Investor Corporate Governance Team United States Award.


SN Power: Best ESG Renewable Energy Operations Emerging Markets 2016

Worldwide, around 1.2 billion people are yet to be plugged into a dependable supply of electric power. Curiously, the countries hampered in their development by persistent energy deficits are often the same ones that boast a large potential for hydropower – as of yet largely untapped.

Norway’s SN Power, a company specialised in providing cost-competitive renewable energy solutions, aims to help emerging markets power their development in a carbon-neutral fashion. State-owned SN Power was founded in 2002 and has since built up a strong portfolio of hydropower assets, accumulating a vast reservoir of knowledge in the process.

In Uganda, the company has signed a contract to acquired a stake in the Bujagali Project, a 250MW hydropower facility, in order to establish a presence in Sub-Saharan Africa from which to expand its operations in the region. Commissioned in 2012, Bujagali is recognised as a model public-private partnership that provides a blueprint for similar undertakings elsewhere in the region. The dam’s cheap energy allows the Ugandan government to save over $170m annually in subsidies and is considered a prime driver of economic development.

Key projects supported or initiated by SN Power have the ability to push economic growth in markets held back by power shortages. By providing clean renewable energy, SN Power believes it can help attain sustainable and inclusive development without a commensurate increase in the environmental footprint. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to offer SN Power the 2016 Best ESG Renewable Energy Operations Emerging Markets Award.


Glownet: Best Event Payment Systems Global 2016

Dropping cash into a till is so last century. Increasingly, consumers demand the convenience of cashless payment for smaller purchases, waving smartphones or contactless cards to enjoy their fast-track lives from which greasy coins and banknotes have largely been banned. Driving the move towards on-the-go payment solutions, Glownet has developed and deployed a system that allows both promoters and visitors of events to avoid queues, theft, and fraud while delivering the seamless integration of loyalty programmes, social media postings, access control, and even crew and asset management.

Founded four years ago, Glownet bundled the entire sphere of crowd-based events – music festivals, fairs, trade shows, sporting events, and other live venues that attract large numbers of people – into a single streamlined product. Set up by experienced event promotors, Glownet has so far delivered cashless solutions to 275 events in 25 countries across five continents. The firm recently celebrated the delivery of over one million cashless activations in the last 12 months.

Pushing the envelope of event technology, Glownet’s mobile solution delivers a seamless event experience even when offline. All data is integrated with its own cloud-based platform that powers the complete user lifecycle covering pre, during, and post event requirements, including both front and back office needs.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to offer recognition to truly innovative companies. Glownet is such a company: it identified a market, charted its needs, and provided a set of solutions. The judges declare Glownet winner of the 2016 Best Event Payment Systems Global Award.


Catalyst Partners: Best SME Growth Investment Partner MENA 2017

The clue is in the name: Catalyst Partners aims to up the ante, spur development, and encourage entrepreneurial success. Dedicated to empowering medium-sized and family-owned businesses, Catalyst Partners offers a path to success, leveraging its management knowhow and facilitating access to capital markets as well as debt.

Catalyst Partners was founded by its Managing Partner Aly El Tahry, who also co-founded leading MENA-based investment banking firms Hermes Financial and Beltone Financial. The Egypt-based investment company is present in a particularly deep and wide universe: fully 99% of the country’s businesses fall into the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) category. Thanks to its knowledge of local circumstances and its extensive experience with Egyptian companies, Catalyst Partners selects – and takes a stake in – well-established medium-sized and family businesses which show the most promise in terms of innovation and scalability. The firm then applies its well-proven management techniques to foster accelerated growth and move its corporate charges from niche to mainstream.

In order to achieve its goals, Catalyst Partners follows an integrated approach by offering support during critical business development stages, building capacity, and adhering to a set of clear objectives. Through its in-house teams, the firm provides its incubated partners access to services which are not typically readily available to smaller businesses, including (but not limited to) enterprise development, planning, corporate governance, financial controls and due diligence.

Catalyst Partners also enables the targeted companies to satisfy their capital needs through its expertise in financial transactions. Offering businesses the opportunity to reach their full potential, Catalyst Partners fosters optimized results for all stakeholders.

The CFI.co judging panel recognises the value of the company’s approach to helping businesses succeed in a dynamic market. The judges are pleased to offer Catalyst Partners the 2017 Best SME Growth Investment Partner MENA Award.


Vallstein: Best Bank Relationship Management Solutions Global 2017

Getting value for money from banks is sometimes an uphill battle. Vallstein, however, helps corporates leverage their relationships with financial service providers in order to gain access to the best deals, service, and conditions. Looking beyond treasury management, Vallstein favours a holistic approach that aims to provide for a seamless match between corporates and their banks.

Vallstein derives pride from its independence: the firm does not work for, or act on behalf of, financial services providers. Focused on charting and meeting the clients’ needs, Vallstein relentlessly pursues value for its corporate clients by facilitating understanding and streamlining workflows.

Launched in 2000, Vallstein counts on the expertise of a multinational team of seasoned professionals. The firm has developed a suite of bank relationship management software which allows users an instant overview of their banking costs, including indirect expenses such as margins on forex and credit operations. WalletSizing, a registered trademark, incorporates the latest updates to the Basel III global regulatory framework. The software also offers corporates insights into the return on solvency banks are earning on their business.

Armed with this data, corporates can better evaluate proposals put forward by banks and negotiate better conditions.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Vallstein on tapping into markets thus far underserved. The firm’s products and services essentially pay for themselves many times over via the savings it offers users. The judges recognise Vallstein’s value-proposition and declare the firm winner of the 2017 Best Bank Relationship Management Solutions Global Award.


Radix: Best Engineering IT Solutions Brazil 2017

Designing, implementing, and maintaining industrial strength and mission-critical digital systems, Brazilian tech company Radix is one of only a handful that manages to seamlessly integrate IT engineering and operational technology – offering clients access to a vast universe of efficiencies and synergies.

Radix helps clients find solutions to common issues, bypasses to bottlenecks, and ways to brings ideas and concepts to full fruition. The company’s unique approach to IT is grounded in the recognition that technological innovation needs to address specific problems or open venues previously closed or unimagined.

Empowering clients with bespoke IT systems and moving from niche to mainstream, Radix has established itself as the go-to company for corporations looking to gain a technological edge and extract a maximum of benefits from innovation. Radix boasts a roster of large clients – both domestic and multinational corporations in addition to government entities.

The Brazilian company taps into the large pool of exceptional talent cultivated and produced at the country’s leading universities and research centres. The company aims to underpin Brazil’s economic and social transformation with locally developed technology.
Radix establishes long-term relationships with clients in order to gain a thorough understanding of their business. This enables Radix engineers to dovetail solutions to the needs of the clients.

The CFI.co judging panel fully agrees that Radix stands at – or very close to – the apex of IT development in Brazil. The judges are happy to offer the company the 2017 Best Engineering IT Solutions Brazil Award.


Novus Group International: Most Innovative Market Research Team Europe 2017

Know-your-customer and know-your-market are essential to any business aiming for lasting success. The task is, however, easier said than done – let alone accomplished. Providing focused knowledge – instead of just data – Novus Group International helps businesses rediscover their raison d’être – essentially, returning to the source and plugging into markets that may have changed.

Whilst the concept is disarmingly simple, the Swedish company found that few businesses are actually taking the obvious route to improved performance and oftentimes fail to grasp the importance, and the power, of new media – or miss the point. Digitalisation may have moved the goalposts, Novus Group sees this development as a move towards the individualisation of the marketplace – requiring businesses to respond with bespoke offerings to serve a customer universe divided into smaller niches.

Much more than a traditional market research company, Novus Group takes a holistic approach to market research that includes paths towards thought leadership and confidence building. Businesses are encouraged to accept challenges to their dominance or presence as a way to ensure sustainability. Eschewing the bandwagon mentality, Novus Group questions, probes, and evaluates new technologies in order to determine their suitability and use.

Since its foundation, just ten years ago, Novus Group has become one of Sweden’s leading market researchers and the go-to place for mission-critical assignments. The CFI.co judging panel finds Novus group’s highly innovative approach most refreshing and declares the company winner of the 2017 Most Innovative Market Research Team Europe Award.


Afghan International Bank: Best Corporate Governance Afghanistan 2017

A reliable, efficient, and trusted partner to multilateral entities, businesses, and private individuals, Afghan International Bank (AIB) has gained a solid reputation for operational excellence. The bank adheres to international best practices which permeate throughout the organisation and provide the backdrop to, and framework for, AIB’s sustained success.

The bank has implemented best-in-class standards to fight money laundering and put in place comprehensive measures and processes that ensure full compliance with both domestic and global financial regulation. The full force of the board is applied to monitor and evaluate performance quarterly. The board is backed up by a risk committee which gauges the quality of operations on a day-to-day basis.

In 2017, AIB expects to continue its drive to fine tune the organisation and upgrade the professional qualifications of staff members in order to create a local pool of expertise that, in time, may take over duties from expatriate professionals. A number of local professionals have already assumed leadership positions and are actively engaged in setting up new organisational structures that will support AIB’s dedication to excellence and customer service.

AIB is no stranger to the CFI.co judging panel. The judges have closely followed the bank’s progress since 2013 and handed AIB three awards previously. This year, the judging panel again agrees that the sustained effort of the bank to excel in corporate governance merits recognition. The judges are pleased to offer Afghan International Bank the 2017 Best Corporate Governance Afghanistan Award.


Grupo Panamerican: Best Diversified Group Leadership Bolivia 2016

Operating in fourteen markets across Latin America and the Caribbean, Grupo Panamerican boasts no less than twenty years’ experience in the region, managing investments, developing software for the fin-tech industry, and helping promote renewable energy. The group comprises five specialised companies. In addition to fund and asset management firms, Grupo Panamerican also maintains a fully-licensed stock exchange brokerage, a software design studio, and a clean energy provider with hydroelectric plants, water rights, and concessions in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.

From its home market Bolivia, the group has expanded rapidly into neighbouring countries. The company also opened offices in Peru and Nicaragua. As investment advisors, Panamerican Securities was instrumental in forging large cross-border deals, facilitating mergers and acquisitions, and major initial public offerings on the Bolivian stock exchange. The company has earned a well-established reputation as the country’s premier merchant bank for high-net-worth individuals, corporates, and institutional investors. Its wealth management division boasts a solid track record of protecting and growing clients’ assets regardless of market conditions.

Aluz Clean Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group, is focused on the design, construction, and operation of hydroelectric power plants. Since 2007, the company has developed no less than seven projects with a combined power output of 116MW.

The CFI.co judging panel congratulates Grupo Panamerican on its multiple endeavours and notes that the company enjoys wide recognition for its excellence in corporate governance. The judges are pleased to offer Grupo Panamerican the 2016 Best Diversified Group Leadership Bolivia Award.


Banque de France: Best Central Bank Governance Europe 2016

The French pillar that supports the Eurosystem, the Banque de France plays a crucial role in contributing to preparing, implementing, and explaining monetary policy as well as to assuring financial stability across the euro area.

Banque de France provides the staff of the French prudential supervision and resolution authority (Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution) that oversights 779 institutions from the banking sector and 826 insurance undertakings. The central bank also ensures the smooth running of domestic and cross-border payment processes and monitors the financial system to identify stresses early-on.

Uniquely, the Banque de France also plays an intermediary role between banks and over-indebted households to reschedule their debts. The Banque de France also maintains a number of specialist services to enterprises, such as the provision of credit ratings and credit mediation notably geared towards small and medium-sized ones.

Additionally, the bank compiles and publishes a wealth of data on the French economy that allows investors and business leaders to set out their strategies.

Founded in 1800, Banque de France gained prominence after it intervened decisively to solve the financial crisis of 1848. Operating independent of political considerations, the bank has emerged as a powerful guarantor of the Eurozone’s monetary and financial stability. Its robust system of governance with an executive committee at the heart of day-to-day operations, assisted by assets-liabilities and risk committees, helps ensure that the bank is ready to provide the financial and economic conditions for continued stability and sustained growth.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to offer Banque de France the 2016 Best Central Bank Governance Europe Award.


Grupo Elektra: Best Corporate Governance Mexico 2016

As poverty wanes, consumers clamour for mod-cons that add comfort to life and offer tangible proof of increased well-being. A portal for consumers of modest but growing means, Grupo Elektra has long served Mexico’s budding middle class, offering a tantalisingly wide selection of consumer goods through its countrywide network of more than 1,100 stores.

From its very beginnings, the company caters to the needs of customers who are determined to work their way up the social ladder – offering a helping hand to turn dreams into reality. The formula was replicated with considerable success elsewhere in Latin America. The group’s steady growth is the direct result of its widely recognised excellence in corporate governance.

Sustained by two pillars – its commercial and financial divisions – Grupo Elektra was founded in 1950. Keen to deepen the market, Grupo Elektra offers no-hassle financing to its customers. The group is one of the largest micro finance providers in Mexico. Also, Grupo Elektra’s subsidiary Advance America, with over 2,000 branches, is a leading non-bank short term loan provider in the US.

The group’s financial division includes the Banco Azteca which pursues a no-cost business model, offering accounts that bear interest from the first peso deposited. The group’s socially-inspired business model received praise from the World Bank for its emphasis on micro-credit programmes that help generate jobs and boost incomes.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that the company maintains a solid corporate governance framework that ensures consistent results. The judges declare Grupo Elektra winner of the 2016 Best Corporate Governance Mexico Award.


Maran Group: Best Industrial Park Mexico 2017

Solid economic growth and a marked improvement in business infrastructure have propelled Mexico to the very top amongst corporate host countries. Offering a business environment that outshines most competitors, the country has welcomed a number of big-name corporations shifting production facilities away from Asia in order to up efficiencies and operating margins.

A fair number of these companies end up at the industrial estates operated by Maran Group – one of the oldest and largest to provide turn-key facilities to manufacturers seeking to exploit the geographical advantages offered by Mexico and its top-notch infrastructure.

Maran Group maintains a number of large, modern, and fully-serviced industrial estates along the US-Mexican border where it offers corporates purpose-built facilities. Just minutes away from the US border by rail and road connections, manufacturers hosted by Maran Group enjoy unparalleled access to the world’s largest economy – ensuring the smooth running of just-in-time processes. Moreover, with seventeen regional universities and higher trade schools delivering a steady stream of skilled graduates, corporates have access to a vast pool of talent.

The CFI.co judging panel evaluated Maran Group in 2015 and concluded that the facilities maintained by the Mexican company are without equal. Since then, the group has further expanded its operations, welcoming new tenants, opening new estates, and adding extra facilities to existing ones. The judges wish to recognise Maran Group for its progress and declare the company winner of the 2017 Best Industrial Park Mexico Award.


QNB Alahli: Best SME Bank Egypt 2017 & Best Retail Bank Egypt 2017

Partnering, amongst others, with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Egypt’s QNB Alahli bank is actively helping local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seize opportunity and accelerate growth. Late last year, the bank yet again expanded the scope of its cooperation with the EBRD with a new $140m financial package to enhance its SME credit facilities and help improve energy efficiency in the country.

With streamlined client-facing procedures, QNB Alahli has become the preferred financial partner to Egypt’s booming SME sector. The bank maintains a comprehensive suite of products tailored to suit the needs of small businesses. QNB Alahli has appointed experienced SME relationship managers in over 200 branches across the country. These professionals assist business owners with all their projects. The bank’s SME services also dovetail with the Egyptian’s government stated intention to encourage entrepreneurship and help SMEs, including micro-businesses reach their full potential.

Since 2013, QNB Alahli is majority-owned by the Qatar National Bank, founded in 1964. The bank has gained recognition and praise for its prudent risk management which powers exceptionally strong growth. In 2016, the bank’s loan portfolio increased 55% with a tenth of the total outstanding benefiting SMEs. QNB Alahli consolidated its position as one of Egypt’s largest privately-owned banks and maintains a branch network that covers the entire country.

A repeat winner, QNB Alahli has again been chosen by the CFI.co judging panel as the undisputed winner of the 2016 Best SME Bank Egypt Award. In an unusual move, the judges also selected QNB Alahli for the 2017 Best Retail Bank Egypt Award.


Yapı Kredi Leasing: Best Energy Savings Finance Turkey 2017

Established in 1987, Yapı Kredi Leasing has grown into one of the country principal and most sophisticated non-bank financial services providers. The company partners with private business to facilitate the acquisition of capital goods and other means and agents of production.

Besides construction and manufacturing, over the years Yapı Kredi Leasing into a corporate heavy-weight, bundling a vast reservoir of knowledge, experience, and technology. The company broadened its reach to include the healthcare, printing, and nautical sectors.

With robust risk mitigation frameworks in place, Yapı Kredi Leasing is able to offer its products to businesses at various stages of corporate growth. The company maintains a domestic network of fourteen branches and has decisively moved into the renewable energy sector, supporting both solar and wind power projects with over $250m already committed.

The CFI.co judging panel recognises Yapı Kredi Leasing’s role as one of the founders of Turkey’s now buoyant leasing industry. The judges also commend the company on its proactive support on renewable energy. The panel is happy to confer on Yapı Kredi Leasing the 2017 Best Energy Savings Finance Turkey Award.


SpiceJet: Best Corporate Governance India 2017

The comeback kid of the airline industry, India’s SpiceJet soars high with eight consecutive profitable quarters and solid credibility with partners and the traveling public alike.

India’s fourth largest airline with a 13% market share, SpiceJet traces its corporate origins to an air taxi service established in 1984. Since that time, SpiceJet in its different iterations has established a formidable reputation as a prize fighter. The company manages to obtain a 93% load factor with only one in a thousand flights suffering a cancellation.

SpiceJet was an early adaptor of the online marketing model, using multiple channels to reach travellers. The airline has implemented a regional connectivity scheme and works with governments to improve the country’s airport infrastructure. Though India boasts around 400 airports, only 75 are in regular use. The airline is poised for rapid expansion after it signed a megadeal with Boeing for up to two hundred 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

With a buoyant economy offering plenty room for growth, SpiceJet expects to reach around thirty million travellers about to enter the jet age. To ensure optimum performance and maximise exposure to the industry’s upside, SpiceJet has implemented a corporate governance framework modelled on global best practices.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that SpiceJet is uniquely positioned for maximum exposure to the upside of India’s airline industry. In recognition of the company’s achievements, the judges are pleased to offer SpiceJet the 2017 Best Corporate Governance India Award.


ARCA Fondi SGR: Best Emerging Markets Debt Manager Europe 2016

With more than €30bn in assets under management, ARCA Fondi SGR is one of Italy’s leading independent asset management companies. The firm boasts one of the country’s largest distribution networks with a nationwide footprint. ARCA Fondi SGR is considered one of the most-recognised brands in the industry which results in exceptionally high client retention rates, allowing the firm to build long-term relationships.

The company maintains strong ties with customers both via its experienced relationship managers and its large branch network which assures close proximity to clients. With an innovative and comprehensive product range and the introduction of multi-manager solutions, ARCA Fondi SGR has succeeded in satisfying the changing needs of Italian investors, developing its business in numerous distinct market segments.

ARCA Fondi SGR was one of the first to adopt the protocols drawn up by the Italian association of asset managers with a view to implement a sound and adequate framework to manage potential conflicts of interest and thus protect investors.

ARCA Fondi SGR aims to create added value for its customers and manages style-neutral portfolios in order to consistently deliver good long-term performance which is continuously benchmarked to ensure optimum performance.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note that ARCA Fondi SGR, a winner in 2015, has maintained its dedication to operational excellence and its pursuit of stellar performance. The judges are happy to reaffirm their earlier decision and declare ARCA Fondi SGR winner of the 2016 Best Emerging Markets Debt Manager Europe Award.


Pan American Energy: Most Responsible Energy Corporate Bond Issuer Latin America 2016

A veritable treasure chamber of natural resources, Argentina has embarked on a sustained drive to cash in on its mineral bounty. The country’s now revamped extractive sector is on the up and delivering a sizeable contribution to economic growth. Pan American Energy, an oil and gas company founded in 1997, is particularly well-poised to reap the benefits of Argentina’s once again flourishing economy. Currently, the company is the second largest hydrocarbons producer in the country with a presence in Argentina’s four main oil and gas basins and a direct and indirect workforce of well over 12,000 people.

Pan American Energy pumps 18% of the oil and gas produced in Argentina. Partnering with international oil companies, Pan American Energy has gained access to the latest technology which allows the company to sustain higher-than-average recovery rates and successfully exploit fields that had previously been deemed marginal. Pan American Energy is recognised for its dedication to operational excellence. The company adheres to international best practices and maintains a clean environmental record.

In order to help finance its expansion, Pan American Energy has issued $1.1bn in corporate bonds in a series of tranches since 2010. The CFI.co judging panel is aware that Argentina’s energy sector has plenty of upside. The judges agree that Pan American Energy stands to benefit from the country’s return to high growth rates. Pan American Energy is declared winner of the 2016 Most Responsible Energy Corporate Bond Issuer Latin America Award.


SeABank: Best SME Bank Vietnam 2017 & Best Retail Bank Vietnam 2017

Recognised as one of the top brands in Vietnam, SeABank operates a countrywide network of some 160 branch offices and transaction points. As such, SeABank is one of Vietnam’s leading commercial banks, building on 23 years of experience in retail and corporate banking. The bank is known for its prudent management style, preferring to nurture organic growth and keeping close to its expanding client base.

SeABank has been particularly successful in underwriting Vietnam’s famously dynamic SME sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises form the economic backbone of the country and, indeed, drive its rapid development. SMEs represent fully 97% of all business in the country and employ around 77% of the workforce. The sector is thriving as well: according the government data, owners of small and medium-sized businesses saw their profits increase by around 20% annually, on average, over the past ten or so years.

From its foundation in 1994, SeABank has helped underwrite Vietnam’s SMEs with a comprehensive suite of products and services geared towards providing the means to attain sustainable growth. The bank aims to excel as the country’s premier multifunctional financial services provider and, as such, contribute to the socio-economic development of Vietnam.

aA previous winner, SeABank is no stranger to the CFI.co judging panel. The judges agree that the bank has managed to keep its prominent position in the market and, indeed, outpace the competition. The judges are pleased to offer SeABank the 2017 Best SME Bank Vietnam and Best Retail Bank Vietnam 2017 Awards.


Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund Wins Three Awards for 2017

Best Practice Pension Funds South Africa 2017
Best Pension Fund Stakeholder Benefits South Africa 2017
Best Corporate Governance Pension Funds South Africa 2017

 Founded well over seventy years ago, and recognised as a pioneer in the non-banking financial services industry, the Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund (NJMPF) has built not only a strong brand but a peerless reputation for excellence in governance and dependability. Always a forerunner, the NJMPF leverages the power of state-of-the-art technology to offer its members a full suite of retirement services.

The fund, a previous CFI.co award winner, has sustained its already considerable momentum with the launch of its revamped website which allows both members and pensioners improved ease of access and helps the NJMPF add to the transparency of its corporate governance. The fund also opened additional communication channels in order to keep close to all stakeholders. Simultaneously, the NJMPF debuted a cross-platform mobile app that allows members to keep abreast of developments and access information on the fund’s performance and their benefits.

The fund also stepped up its efforts to trace beneficiaries of unclaimed pay-outs. The NJMPF has a long-standing policy of tracing beneficiaries and has managed to keep its stock of unclaimed benefits to a minimum. A testament to its stellar performance, the fund has consistently managed to provide benefits that significantly outpace inflation – offering pensioners peace of mind.

In an unusual move, the CFI.co judging panel has decided to offer the Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund a triple award in recognition of the fund’s benchmark-setting performance: 2017 Best Practice Pension Funds South Africa Award; 2017 Best Pension Fund Stakeholder Benefits South Africa Award; 2017 Best Corporate Governance Pension Funds South Africa Award.


African Risk Capacity: Most Innovative ESG Risk Protection Provider Africa 2017

African Risk Capacity (ARC), a specialised agency set up by the African Union, deploys high-tech to increase the continent’s food security by creating comprehensive climate response systems and procedures that pool and transfer risk, thus allowing member states to protect vulnerable populations and offer effective help to those harmed by natural disasters.

ARC also assists member states plan for emergencies and put the resources in place that enable a swift and targeted response to extreme weather events. The entity attaches great importance to transparency, governance, and efficiency. It uses Africa RiskView, an advanced satellite-based weather surveillance system, and software developed by the UN World Food Programme to continuously monitor continent-wide risk.

ARC is structured to provide a fast response to any emergency in order to reduce the loss of both lives and assets. By adding a risk pooling and transfer layer to traditional disaster relief mechanisms, the agency has been able to reduce the punitive costs usually associated with humanitarian assistance programmes. ARC also helps the continent reduce its reliance on outside help which is often funded on an ad hoc basis. By offering member states a permanent yet pliable structure that can absorb shocks and manage risk, ARC aims to strengthen the resilience of governments in the face of adversity.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note ARC’s continued progress. A repeat winner, African Risk Capacity is offered the 2017 Most Innovative ESG Risk Protection Provider Africa Award.


TeleTrade: Best Forex Broker Europe 2017

Forex trading comes in many different online flavours; however, only a select few brokers sustain a brick and mortar network of offices where investors may obtain in-person support and service. TeleTrade boasts a branch network to host workshops and seminars that offer valuable insights to both novice and seasoned investors. The firm maintains over 200 offices in thirty countries.

As an on-the-ground-broker, TeleTrade distinguishes – and distances – itself from the pack, customising its palette of products and services to dovetail with local needs and requirements. Uniquely, its business model depends largely on word-of-mouth advertising, proximity to clients, and the company growth through referrals. TeleTrade aims to unlock access to a global universe of forex trading from its local presence.

Whilst most of the trading is conducted via its online trading platform, fully adjustable to the client’s level of expertise and trading savvy, TeleTrade’s local offices are happy to share tips and techniques during person-to-person meet-ups with investors.

A hallmark of quality, TeleTrade is one of the only forex dealers fully licensed by the Bank of Russia to operate on the country’s retail market. The company compiles and publishes regular market updates in a number of languages to alert investors to upcoming opportunities. In addition to forex trading, the firm’s platform also offers trades in CFDs (contract for difference) on stocks, commodities, and futures, and EFTs (exchange traded funds).

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to present TeleTrade with the 2017 Best Forex Broker Europe Award.


United Waters International: Most Innovative Water Purification Technology Global 2017

The world is thirsty. Demand for drinking water has risen six-fold over the last half century and is expected to triple over the next fifty years. Yet only about 1.3% of the world’s water resources is available for human consumption. Water purification has become a high-growth industry, expanding globally at a ten to fifteen percent annual clip. The price of potable water, a finite resource, is set to rise in tandem.

United Waters International (UWI) of Switzerland has developed and introduced a revolutionary biological water purification system that uses no harmful chemicals and produces no residues whilst offering remarkable cost-savings. BioEcoTech also requires up to 80% less energy to produce a sustainable and reliable supply of clean water.

Founded in 2005 and to provide high-tech water purification solutions, UWI brings together strong industrialists, experienced managers, and leading scientists in a collective effort to force technological breakthroughs. Using a partnership model, UWI works in close collaboration with municipalities, NGOs, and other entities to ensure a broad social impact of its technology. The company is already active in Indian and China, and now mulls expansion into Africa and the Americas.

The CFI.co judging panel commend UWI for its hands-on approach to providing water purification solution that are easy to implement and scale at an affordable price and with a minimal environmental footprint. The judges are pleased to name United Water International winner of the 2017 Most Innovative Water Purification Technology Global Award.


Tracom Services: Best Enterprise Payment Solutions East Africa 2017

Kenya has long been recognised as a pioneer and leader in the development of payment solutions for the financial services industry. Tracom Services, an IT solutions provider based in Nairobi, pushes the envelope with payment systems that significantly increase inclusivity, security, ease-of-use, and access. The company, home to some of the country’s brightest IT professionals, promises – and consistently delivers – innovative solutions by leveraging the power of tomorrow’s technology.

Tracom Services has regional representation in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, and provides private businesses and government entities along the East African seaboard with best-in-class solutions that help streamline processes and reduce overheads. Tracom Services’ payment solutions include a full range of statutory compliance and reporting features that helps clients increase productivity.

The company has established a number of partnerships with technology providers around the world such as Ingenico, Diebold, Cardag, Futurex, Safran, Evolis, Softpro, amongst others, in order to benefit from synergies not otherwise available. Tracom Services managed to attract highly qualified local IT professionals who liaise directly with clients in order to produce bespoke solutions that dovetail precisely with their diverse needs and requirements.

Recognising that the design and implementation of highly complex IT solutions is a collective endeavour, Tracom Services follows an open-door policy that encourages client participation at all levels of the production process. This, and the company’s know-your-client approach, ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that Tracom Services is focused on its client’s success. The judges declare the company winner of the 2017 Best Enterprise Payment Solutions East Africa Award.


GTBank (Ghana): Best Digital Banking Ghana 2017

With a state-of-the-art and full-service online banking portal, and multiple alternative service access channels, Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) has established a well-earned reputation as an e-banking pioneer. The parent company, GTBank Plc, a publicly-traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Deutsche Börse, maintains a Pan-African network of subsidiaries. The bank’s geographical footprint extends to the UK via its London branch which received its full banking licence in 2008.

The Nigeria-based banking group – one of the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa – was amongst the first to offer a full palette of services delivered via the Internet and mobile devices. The bank recently expanded its operations to include the buoyant economies of East Africa with the acquisition of a controlling stake in Fina Bank – since rebranded – with offices in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

One of its flagship subsidiaries, GTBank (Ghana) has pushed the envelope, and set the pace, in providing excellence in customer service. The bank aims to maintain the closest possible proximity to its clients and, to this end, instituted an open-door policy that offers clients a multitude of ways to keep in touch with the bank’s agents and account executives.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that GTBank (Ghana) has carefully crafted its brand image to convey openness, inclusiveness, and a can-do spirit that is unique in the industry. The judges wholeheartedly agree that GTBank (Ghana) amply deserves recognition as winner of the 2017 Best Digital Bank Ghana Award.


Severstal: Best Vertically-Integrated Steel Company Russia 2017

Working the massive iron ore deposits of the Kola Peninsula in the sparsely-populated northwest corner of Russia, Severstal traces its origins as a major steelmaker to 1940 and the onset of the Great Patriotic War. The company is now the country’s largest steelmaker. Privatised and rebranded in 1993, Severstal has expanded overseas with mines and processing facilities in Kazakhstan, France, Italy, the Ukraine, and a number of African countries. In Italy, the company acquired Gruppo Lucchini renowned for its premier long and specialised carbon steel products.

The company is traded on the Moscow Exchange, where it forms a constituent part and bellwether of the MICEX Index, with cross-listings in London and Frankfurt. Severstal is recognised for its holistic approach to steelmaking. The company successfully integrated the full scope of its operations from mining and ore processing to a comprehensive suite of finished steel products such as pipes and heavy load-bearing rebar for large construction projects.

Severstal developed a new generation of mini-mills to manufacture long products for civil engineering projects. The company’s steel has built Moscow’s skyline and numerous other landmarks such as the graceful fittings of the Western Rapid Diameter Motorway circling St Petersburg.
The CFI.co judging panel applauds Severstal’s dedication to vertically-integrated industrial operations. By securing its own supply of raw material the company is no longer subjected to the vagaries of global market for its inputs. The judges declare Severstal winner of the 2017 Best Vertically-Integrated Steel Company Russia Award.


Xpress Money Services: Best Remittance Services Global 2016

The concept is deceptively simple: allow anyone to send money home from wherever they happen to be in the world – and to do so in a secure, affordable, accessible, and efficient way. Xpress Money Services made that happen: the company now maintains a globe-spanning network comprised of more than 180,000 agent locations in over 160 countries where clients can dispatch and receive remittances.

Partnering with renowned international money transfer operators (IMTOs), banking as well as non-banking institutions, telcos, and online remittance players, Xpress Money Services has built up a vast, and still growing, network that prioritises client proximity and efficiency. The company aims to have a presence in all the world’s countries before long. In the seventeen years since its founding, Xpress Money Services has redefined the remittance industry with innovative solutions that meet customer needs and expectations, and drive down costs.

Focussed on the tens of millions of expats who work away from home, Xpress Money Services has gained a deep understanding of the market and offers unmatched dependability and customer care. The company also leverages the full power of mobile technology to keep its leading edge. Customers in UK may access services via an app, in person at physical locations, and will also soon be able to transact online as well. The company introduced XOPOTO, the world’s first social international money transfer app early last year.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that Xpress Money Services pushes the envelope and has now become the trendsetter of the remittances industry. The judges feel no hesitation in granting Xpress Money Services the 2016 Best Remittances Services Global Award.


Maybank Brunei: Best SME Bank Brunei 2017

With a NPL (non-performing loan) ratio that is the envy of the industry, Maybank Brunei maintains a robust credit remedial management team that ensures operational excellence whilst minimising risk. The bank has gained a solid reputation for its premier customer service and fast processing of credit applications. As a result, Maybank Brunei time and again scores high on customer satisfaction surveys. The bank also boasts an exceptionally high client retention rate.

The only fully localised bank in the country, Maybank Brunei is proud of its unequalled access to the domestic market. The bank is fully integrated with the Brunei business community and maintains a vast network of contacts that keep the bank abreast of developments and allow it to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grow and prosper. In fact, whilst its competitors retreated from this segment, Maybank Brunei saw its SME business grow by over 20% over the past twelve months. Today, the bank is considered the go-to financial services provider for businesses of all sizes in Brunei.

Part of one of the largest banking groups in Southeast Asia, Maybank Brunei offers SMEs seamless access to a comprehensive palette of cross-border services. As such, Maybank Brunei is considered a significant driver of entrepreneurial development. The bank, in its turn, recognises the need to support SMEs – a key economic sector – by removing impediments to their sustained growth.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to offer Maybank Brunei, a repeat winner, the 2017 Best SME Bank Brunei Award.


Khartoum Stock Exchange (KSE): Best Sustainable Securities Exchange North Africa 2017

Set up in 1994 with technical assistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC – a member of the World Bank group), the Khartoum Stock Exchange (KSE) boasts 53 listed companies with a combined market value in excess of $5bn. Since 2007, the exchange is a full member of the African Market Union and features a secondary market alongside its main board. The KSE is the principal venue for the launch and trade of Sharia-compliant products such as sukuk (bonds) and musharaka certificates issued by the government of Sudan.

With a growing number of regional cross listings and cooperation protocols with sister exchanges in place, the KSE has solidified its position as a major trade hub. In 2011, the KSE joined the Association of Arab Stock Exchanges, paving the way for a growth in intraregional trade. That same year, the KSE embarked on a major expansion project to include electronic trading. Transaction volumes have increased steadily since.

With regular IPOs, the Khartoum Stock Exchange has enabled local businesses to raise capital and thus benefit from the economic upswing currently underway.

The CFI.co judging panel recognises the importance of the KSE as an engine of economic development not only for Sudan but also for the wider region. The KSE has put into place the technical and regulatory infrastructure needed to sustain its already impressive growth. The judges are pleased to offer the Khartoum Stock Exchange the 2017 Best Sustainable Securities Exchange North Africa Award.


Swarna Pragati: Best Social Impact Home Finance India 2017

Prosperity begins at home. A house, however modest, represents the first step towards the eradication of poverty and allows families access to better health, education, and livelihoods. Owning a home also brings formerly marginalised people into the mainstream: they can now hook up to safe supplies of water and electricity, receive mail, store their belongings, and start a business.

Around 65 million people in India – some estimates put the number much higher – urgently require an affordable home. Whilst the market is huge, most builders prefer to cater to well-heeled and urban buyers. However, Swarna Pragati offers low-doc home loans to people of modest means. The company does not always require title deeds to back up its loans and instead leverages the not inconsiderable power of grassroots institutions to provide for community-based solutions.

Swarna Pragati has brought hitherto unavailable access to low income rural families to acquire a permanent house by accepting informal types of collateral. The company has thus removed one of the largest stumbling blocks to home ownership in villages: India’s often arcane legal requirements which impose a heavy bureaucratic burden on all involved with real estate transactions. Swarna Pragati developed and implemented a fast-track way to provide credit to prospective home buyers that simplifies the process. Moreover, the company provides incremental loans that allow clients to gradually expand their property through a modular multi-loan cycle approach.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that Swarna Pragati empowers it clients by offering microloans via self-help groups and through innovative door step lending process. The judges commend the company on its highly innovative approach and declare Swarna Pragati winner of the 2017 Best Social Impact Home Finance India Award.


Moneymailme: Best Social Payments App United Kingdom 2017

Adding yet another convenient shortcut to money transfer, Moneymailme allows users to send funds while chatting with friends on their smartphone. The Moneymailme app pioneers the novel concept of social money – micro payments to friends, relatives, colleagues, or others to repay favours, contribute towards gifts, or offer help in an emergency. Charities can employ Moneymailme to raise funds for initiatives and campaigns. The app can also be used to pay for goods and services at e-shops.

Social money is the latest dimension to further enrich the social media environment. The Moneymailme is a fully-featured chatting app with video calls and file sharing. Money transfers are processed in real-time via a secure and regulated network of e-wallets. Both conversations and transactions are encrypted, using advanced protocols that ensure data are protected against privacy breaches. Whilst transfers are free, the topping-up of users’ accounts incurs a small charge.

Moneymailme has partnered with Mangopay, a payment technology provider, and maintains a custodian account at Barclays Bank to facilitate secure transactions. Moneymailme is available in more than 130 countries. Users can send and receive small remittances in euros, pounds, US dollars, SA rands, Swiss francs, and Polish zlotys. The company is currently considering adding crypto money such as bitcoin to its currency mix.

The CFI.co judging panel applauds Moneymailme’s innovative approach to social money and money transfers. The judges are pleased to declare Moneymailme winner of the 2017 Best Social Payments App United Kingdom Award.


Fondo de Fondos: Best Private Equity Fund-of-Funds Asset Manager Mexico 2017

Unlocking the rather awesome power of private equity, Mexico’s Fondo de Fondos (Fund of Funds) combines a joint total of 250 years’ worth of local and global experience with big data to offer investors access to some of the best corporate opportunities in the country. Fondo de Fondos traces its origins back to 1996 and today bundles the market savvy of four of Mexico’s premier private equity funds.

Fondo de Fondos aims to further the private equity industry in Mexico and has implemented a comprehensive strategic plan to manage third-party resources using international best practices and recruiting renowned experts to strengthen its already formidable team. Fondo de Fondos has also created a proprietary industry database that provides an updated stream of corporate information.

Presently, Fondo de Fondos manages in excess of $900m in commitments, including funds of institutional investors who have come to depend on the expertise of the firm’s team to access prime opportunities. Uniquely, Fund of Funds decision-making process is steered by a board of advisors which includes up to 50% independent members. Fund of Funds also owes its continued success to strict risk mitigation procedures and a code of ethics that has become a benchmark in the industry.

The CFI.co judging panel commends the firm on its cautious yet dynamic approach to private equity. The judges agree to name Fund of Funds winner of the 2017 Best Private Equity Fund-of-Funds Asset Manager Mexico Award.


Amplus Energy Solutions: Best Green Energy Industrial Solutions Provider India 2017

Thanks to its impressive end-to-end in-house capabilities, Amplus Energy Solutions has moved to the top of India’s burgeoning distributed solar power industry. The company adheres to a solar-power-as-a-service business model that shields clients from technological, financial, and commercial risk whilst delivering considerable savings.

Amplus Solar, a brand under Amplus Energy, is focused on the distributed solar sector, gaining a deep understanding of industry specific challenges and leveraging its domain expertise in managing the plants to maximise efficiency. Set up and run by renowned experts, Amplus Solar develops bespoke technical and commercial solutions using its own design, engineering, procurement, construction, monitoring, and maintenance processes. The company has gained recognition for its stalwart adherence to the highest standards of quality in both design and execution.

Known for its short turnaround times, Amplus Solar is able to move from capacity analysis to the delivery of a fully operational system within a matter of weeks. Projects are executed in close cooperation with the customer / end user in order to ensure optimum results.

Amplus Solar has built up one of the largest portfolios of distributed generation assets in India with a cumulative capacity in excess of 100,000KW – including projects currently under construction. Amplus is today catering to the energy needs of more than 65 big brands, in both the commercial and industrial sectors. The company has also applied for an interstate electricity trading licence in order to provide distributed solar power under the open access model.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Amplus Energy on its foresight and declares the company winner of the 2017 Best Green Energy Industrial Solutions Provider India Award.


Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank: Best Digital Bank UK

[caption id="attachment_4519" align="aligncenter" width="500"] CEO: David Duffy[/caption]

With the ambition to change the face of the UK financial services industry, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank sets its corporate sight unapologetically high. A pioneer in electronic banking, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank was one of the first to recognise the importance of mobile technology as a tool to shorten the lines between the institution and its clients – improving accessibility and adding levels of convenience in the process. What’s more, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank’s new and ambitious mobile app – B – offers a unique combination of digital capability with a more personal service when customers need it most.

At the leading edge of the digital eco system and embracing the latest technology, however, does not mean that Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank has departed from timeless traditions such as community engagement and support. In fact, the bank has remained humble and eschews novelty for novelty’s sake. Instead, at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank change is client-driven.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks were established in the mid-nineteenth century and are now independently owned by CYBG PLC. The bank remains rooted in the communities it serves. The bank has underpinned local businesses for over 150 years and in the 1980s showed its solidarity with local communities by suspending loan repayments for miners during their long strike against pit closures. Such attitudes have earned Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank the loyalty of its clients which reverberates to this day as evidenced by exceptionally high customer retention rates.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleasantly surprised to see a traditional bank holding on to its values whilst, simultaneously, embracing innovative and technology-driven solutions to changing client needs and requirements. The judges agree that Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank is a most worthy winner of the 2017 Best Digital Bank United Kingdom Award.


Eurohold: Best M&A Advisory Boutique Spain 2017

Thanks to a business model that prioritises proximity to clients, Eurohold has become one of the largest providers of a full range of corporate financial services to global companies, private equity funds, and privately-held businesses. The firm, based in Barcelona, Spain, but with a global reach, has a particularly noteworthy track record in the mergers and acquisitions field, successfully structuring highly-complex deals such as the recent sale of Gigigo Group, a digital marketing pioneer, to Digital Dimension of France, a leading provider of transformative digital technology to business. Eurohold was on the buy side of the deal.

With offices and representatives spread across the globe, Eurohold is able to facilitate cross-border corporate transactions leveraging the firm’s vast reservoir of local expertise. Eurohold’s holistic approach means that its clients receive guidance, insights, and solid advice throughout the M&A process – taking guesswork out of the equation and mitigating risk. Fiercely independent and adhering to the highest ethical standards, Eurohold sticks to its core business of corporate finance to ensure the firm suffers no distractions or conflicts of interest. The firm is Spain’s largest independent corporate financial advisor in the mid and small cap segments by number of deals.

Eurohold pursues long-term relationships with its clients, striving to become a true business partner with a thorough understanding of corporate needs, philosophy, and goals in order to ensure the services offered dovetail precisely with requirements.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that Eurohold had been in business for over a quarter century, growing steadily into a major force in the market. The judges are pleased to offer the company the 2017 Best M&A Advisory Boutique Spain Award.


Senelec: Best ESG Power Producer West Africa 2016

Making work of promises made at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, Senegal prepares to embrace solar power with two large-scale projects that are expected to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions whilst providing a boost to the country’s generating capacity. Work at the construction sites is progressing at accelerated speeds with financing provided by a number of European development agencies. The solar power facilities will inject an additional 50MW into the country’s grid.

Senelec, Senegal’s publicly-owned power company, has moved to the forefront of the drive to green the country’s energy supply and stands at the cusp of a large-scale expansion aimed at improving both service dependability and access. The company has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with the solar power generators at a highly competitive price which ensures improved access to currents and future customers. Senelec has also managed to aggressively slash power outings.

Senelec currently generates in excess of 650MW and, as a public company, is committed to enhance power distribution throughout the country. Moreover, Senelec has adopted a programme that has furthered the professionalism of its personnel and labour conditions. As a result, the quality of services has also improved by leaps and bounds.

The company tripled its generating capacity over the last 25 years and has established strategic partnerships with privately-owned power generators which now supply about a quarter of its energy.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Senelec on its forward-looking approach and declares the company winner of the 2016 Best ESG Power Producer West Africa.


Concord International Investments Group: Best Asset Manager Egypt 2017

At home in both Egypt and the United States, Concord International Investments Group maintains a strong team of professionals dedicated to finding exceptional opportunities in the fast-paced Egyptian corporate universe. With a seasoned in-house research team doing the legwork in Cairo and an experienced team of fixed income experts in New York, the group consistently manages to outperform its peers, straddling – as it does – both ends of the market.

The firm displays a stalwart dedication to the consistent delivery of premier investment products that meet the requirements of institutional and private investors alike. Concord International Investments Group maintains a thorough and disciplined, yet adaptive, investment process that ensures maximum exposure to upsides whilst minimising risk.

The firm offers a comprehensive mix of investment products, including private equity, mutual funds, and unrestricted portfolios of US fixed income and equities alongside Egyptian securities. In business since 1988 and with a stellar track record, Concord Group is one of the leading fund managers of Egyptian securities and helps individuals, family offices, foundations, and institutions manage their wealth.

The group also offers corporate finance advisory services and has successfully concluded assignments for leading banks and other corporates with a cross border presence.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note that the company, a previous winner twice over, maintains its elevated performance profile. The judges wish to recognise this achievement and declare Concord International Investments Group winner of the 2017 Best Asset Manager Egypt Award.


Ghana International Bank (GHIB): Best Africa International Trade Finance United Kingdom 2017

Offering African businesses a window to global markets – and a world of opportunity – Ghana International Bank (GHIB) supports and underpins trade flows and corporates pursuing cross-border deals. Established in 1959 as the London foothold of newly-independent Ghana, the bank now boasts representative offices that cover Sub-Saharan Africa from The Gambia to Kenya.

Whilst GHIB maintains a full suite of products and services, the bank historically gravitates towards facilitating international trade and business. GHIB was an early adopter of fintech and maintains a leading edge in order to significantly speed up the processing of trade document flows. The bank has long been recognised and used by the prestigious Ghana Cocoa Board which regulates this crucial economic sector and remains one of the largest sellers of cocoa in the world.

GHIB has over the past few years been a mandated lead arranger in the flagship African soft commodity syndication for Ghana Cocoa Board. It has, in addition, been the disbursement and collection agent for the past 22 years for this deal. The bank has established a spotless track record and reduced the transit and processing time of trade documents from two months to barely three days, streamlining and adding agility to a previously cumbersome set of procedures.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that large corporates with interests in Ghana have beaten a path to GHIB in recognition of the bank’s forward-looking approach, personalised services, and dedication to operational excellence and speed. The judges are delighted to offer Ghana International Bank the 2017 Best Africa International Trade Finance United Kingdom Award.


Molino Cañuelas: Best ESG Agribusiness Management Argentina 2017

Long considered the breadbasket of Latin America, if not the world, Argentina – now under new management – is once again poised to become a global leader in agribusiness. Ready to help push the nation forwards, Molino Cañuelas has embarked on an expansion project which aims to grow revenues by 20% annually over the coming years.

Molino Cañuelas, part of the Navilli family group of businesses, last year became Argentina’s largest flour miller after the company managed to stave off the competition and take over the milling operations of Cargill in the country. With the acquisition, Molino Cañuelas now processes 24% of Argentina’s wheat crop. The company is Argentina’s largest flour exporter.

A strategic partner of the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank group, and with the support of Rabobank, Molino Cañuelas aims to expand operations not only in Argentina but also in neighbouring countries. The company already maintains a presence in Brazil and Uruguay and is developing plans to enter new markets along Latin America’s Pacific seaboard, and in Africa.

The company, founded in 1930, owes its sustained success to a relentless drive to maximise both operational and administrative efficiencies. Molino Cañuelas is recognised as a pioneer in the implementation of sustainable business principles and for its early adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards to mitigate risk and empower corporate growth. The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to offer Molino Cañuelas the 2017 Best ESG Agribusiness Management Argentina Award.


Produbanco: Best Bank Governance Ecuador 2017

One of the largest banks in Ecuador, Banco de la Producción SA, Produbanco moved into its new corporate headquarters as it concluded a major rebranding exercise that emphasises the institution’s excellence in customer service and dedication to innovative solutions.

Part of Ecuador’s largest financial services provider Grupo Promerica, Produbanco maintains a well-established reputation for operational efficiency. Founded in 1978, the bank has a wide regional footprint via Grupo Promerica’s presence in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Cayman Islands, Nicaragua, Panama, the Dominican Republic and, through its subsidiary Terrabank, the United States.

Specialised in serving the corporate sector, Produbanco offers a full range of products and services that helps businesses reach their full potential. The bank constitutes a valuable reservoir of knowledge and experience in the Ecuadorian business sector and, as such, represents an essential resource for corporates, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Both a retail bank and commercial bank, Produbanco is recognised for its support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The bank has set up a number of facilities aimed at boosting the performance of smaller businesses which are considered the principal drivers of the country’s development.

The sustained growth of Produbanco is derived from its stalwart adherence to the highest standards of corporate governance, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that Produbanco enjoys a solid reputation for transparency and received Triple A ratings from a number of credit agencies. The judges are pleased to offer Banco de la Producción SA – Produbanco – the 2017 Best Bank Governance Ecuador Award.


Evertec: Best Payment Processing Provider Latin America 2017

Processing in excess of two billion payment transactions annually, Puerto Rico-based Evertec, listed on the New York Stock Exchange [NYSE:EVTC], is one of the leading full-service business solution providers in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company was set up in 2004 as a subsidiary of Popular – the largest financial services provider in the Caribbean. It has since become a publicly traded company – the first Puerto Rican tech business to gain a listing on the NYSE.

Evertec owns and operates the ATH network, one of the leading personal identification number (PIN) debit networks in Latin America. The company expanded most recently into Colombia and has a footprint that stretches from Mexico via the Central American isthmus to South America and the Caribbean. Evertec maintains three business lines: merchant acquiring, payment processing, and business solution services. The company offers a full suite of services for core bank processing, cash processing, and the outsourcing of technology. Amongst its clients, Evertec counts large corporations, governments, merchants, and leading financial institutions that require robust fail safe technology solutions.

Boasting almost three decades’ of experience in fintech, Evertec has gained wide recognition for offering innovative and reliable solutions that are fully scalable and easily adaptable to local regulatory frameworks.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that efficient and seamless payment processing solutions are key to any organisation mindful of costs and end-user satisfaction. At the leading edge of fintech, Evertec is thus a natural winner of the 2017 Best Payment Processing Provider Latin America Award.


GVK BIO: Best Life Sciences QHSE Leadership India 2017

Working in tandem with global biopharma, agro/fine chemical companies, biotech firms, and renowned academic institutions, GVK BIO is the largest India-based discovery and development solutions provider that operates across multiple geographies. It is dedicated to speed up the discovery, development, and manufacturing of customer products.

The company, founded in 2001, has carved out a pole position in the life sciences industry engaged in discovering, developing and manufacturing new chemical and biological entities, repurposing existing drugs, engineering chemical products, and helping its more than 400 customers around the world bring their products to market efficiently.

GVK BIO operates its labs and manufacturing facilities, in multiple locations across India and USA. The modern facilities fully meet the standards of the world’s most important regulatory agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM), and amongst others.

GVK BIO boasts a solid reputation for its pursuit of excellence in maintaining the highest quality, health, safety, and environmental standards, raising the benchmark for the entire industry and incorporating QHSE policies into its governance framework, thus ensuring corporate sustainability.

GVK BIO employs one of the largest pool of scientists in India, striving to improve the quality of human life. A veritable reservoir of expertise, the company employs approximately 2,500 professionals.

The CFI.co judging panel also notes that GVK BIO maintains a comprehensive corporate social responsibility programme. The judges are pleased to offer GVK BIO the 2017 Best Life Sciences QHSE Leadership India Award.


Bakhtar Bank: Best Business Bank Afghanistan 2017

Few people are as resilient, and enterprising, as the Afghans. Given peace, Afghanistan immediately sets to work with business appearing seemingly out of nowhere and trade moving along briskly. Banks in particular have room for growth with only about 9% of the population enjoying access to financial services.

Bakhtar Bank, boasting the second largest branch network in the country and present in 30 out of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, is in the process of moving decisively into the untapped markets with a number of innovative programmes and initiatives that promote financial and social inclusion.

Bakhtar Bank’s approach to the industry differs significantly from its peers: the bank’s ambition stretches far beyond the financial world and includes, amongst others, and through synergistic partnerships in the micro finance sector, is working on introducing a large-scale project to help finance the country’s adoption of solar energy – providing every dwelling with photovoltaic panels, thus lessening the nation’s dependency on expensive imported energy.

In order to tap into the 91% unbanked economy, and as a part of customer service excellence, main hurdles in access to finance and social inclusion, such as addressing faith-sensitive customer needs, have been identified and, as a result, Bakhtar Bank is introducing interest-free banking, across the board, in all its contracts.

Bakhtar Bank is also setting up and supporting a number of other corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at leapfrogging the country to modernity. In order to do this, it is focusing on investing in education, healthcare, and communication sectors. To that end, the bank has embraced mobile technology fully adapted to the needs of Afghanistan. A number of new products and initiatives in this area are in the pipeline.

Bakhtar Bank has gained recognition for its adherence to international best practices and its dedication to operational excellence. As a result, the bank has registered strong growth. The CFI.co judging panel agrees that the all-inclusive approach to business pursued by Bakhtar Bank underpins its achievements. Bakhtar Bank is declared winner of the 2017 Best Business Bank Afghanistan Award.


WeInvest: Best Personal Finance Disruptor Asia 2017

Fear not: WeInvest is not about to disrupt anyone’s personal finances. Rather, the firm aims to simplify, streamline, and improve the management of funds, allowing clients to consolidate and monitor their financial health – benchmarking their portfolio’s performance against personal goals and keeping within the bounds of risk tolerance profiles.

Offering a smarter investment experience to its clients, WeInvest enables users to consolidate their accounts in a single app, built using proprietary technology that is eons ahead of other offerings. Investors get a bird’s eye view of their portfolio and may instantly identify opportunity whilst receiving timely alerts of potentially dangerous developments that could affect their portfolio. Designed for speed and ease-of-use, WeInvest has stripped out distracting bells and whistles to offer an investment service that is clear-cut, low-cost, and fully transparent.

Based in Singapore, the world’s most dynamic market in which only excellence survives, WeInvest offers a state-of-the art product at an unmatched price level featuring the lowest fees in the market. First-time or novice investors are welcomed and need only answer a few online questions to determine their personal goals and tolerance for risk. Leveraging the power of advanced algorithms, the WeInvest system suggest a number of investment approaches for building and managing a bespoke portfolio.

The CFI.co judging panel commends WeInvest on its innovative yet solid approach to building and managing investment portfolios. The judges agree that WeInvest is a worthy winner of the 2017 Best Personal Finance disruptor Asia Award.


Tandem & Stark: Best Construction Project Cost Services Team Africa 2017

Developers, investors, and real estate professionals dipping into the buoyant markets of the East African seaboard face a common challenge: project cost control. Even the most promising undertaking can have its potential damaged by spiralling costs due to mismatches in timing and/or budgeting.

Tandem & Stark has helped steer a large number of projects in East and Central Africa towards increased profitability with its range of cost engineering and cost consultancy services. The Kenyan firm enjoys a well-established reputation for bespoke solutions that ensure the on-time and on-spec delivery of projects – within or below the allocated budget.

Tandem & Stark’s portfolio includes residential, commercial, and industrial projects. The firm also manages large-scale undertakings for clients in the hospitality, leisure, healthcare, and education sectors. Established in 2003, the firm has developed and implemented management structures that dovetail with local business practices. Thus, Tandem & Stark is able to consistently deliver superior results. The firm put in place a state-of-the-art IT backbone that is able to accurately handle even the largest projects.

Tandem & Stark assists clients through all development stages from feasibility studies to cashflow projections, cost planning and control, and setting up tenders.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that the Tandem & Stark team offers a full spectrum of cost management services. A repeat winner due to its dedication to operational excellence, Tandem & Stark is the recipient of the 2017 Best Construction project Cost Services Team Africa Award.


British Airways: Best Premium Travel Experience Global 2017

Unveiling a major investment drive to upgrade its long-haul business and premium economy class services, British Airways aims to reassert its transatlantic dominance and nibble away at the increasingly fierce competition. The changes will first be implemented on BA’s flagship London Heathrow to New York JFK route before being rolled out across the airline’s global network. BA is also working on the introduction of direct aisle access seats in its Club World – the airline’s business class.

On the ground, British Airways is busy renovating its business lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The company’s premier travel facilities in the US are slated to undergo a £88m makeover. In order to lessen travel-related stress, BA now offers its Gold Executive Club members direct access to the First lounge in Heathrow Terminal 5 via The First Wing, which has a dedicated security channel.

On board, BA is set to debut Europe’s first 4G inflight network and improved Wi-Fi connectivity. The airline aims to have 90% of its fleet equipped with high-speed Internet by 2019. Travellers may use their own devices to surf the web.

Whilst BA’s corporate policy squarely states that the airline’s focus remains on premium passengers, the company has also introduced added-value services for price-conscious travellers. However, British Airways’ management assured that the company will decline to lower its service level to compete with low-cost carriers.

The CFI.co judging panel commends BA on its dedication to excellence. The judges are pleased to offer British Airways the 2017 Best premium Travel Experience Global Award.


Herald Land: Best UK Property Investments Advisory UAE 2017

Opening the UK property market to savvy overseas investors, and maximising their clients’ exposure to the upside of both commercial and residential real estate, the professionals of Herald Land are recognised for their ability to identify – and swiftly act upon – exceptional opportunities. The company maintains offices in the UK, Dubai, Qatar, and Hong Kong.

In business since 2009, Herald Land has accumulated a vast reservoir of expertise that enables the firm’s seasoned professionals to select premium property with the highest earnings and returns potential. Herald Land’s fifty realtors and support staff adhere to proprietary control and vetting processes that ensure only the best properties are selected for inclusion in the firm’s portfolio and offered to clients. In practice, no more than 2% of properties under consideration are accepted for sale through Herald Land.

Specialised and at home in the UK property market, Herald Land is fully licensed by the Dubai Economic Department and works with individual investors who seek to benefit from Great Britain’s booming property market either via natural growth cycles or exposure to residential and commercial hotspots.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note that Herald Land embraces and represents the highest standards in real estate investment, offering clients a range of peerless services and streamlined access to one of the world’s best performing – and solid – property markets. The judges are therefore happy to extend Herald Land the 2017 Best UK Property Investments Advisory UAE Award.


Covenant Bank for Women Tanzania: Best Social Impact Bank Tanzania 2017

A bank built from the bottom up, Tanzania’s Covenant Bank for Women helps deepen and broaden the reach of commercial banks by addressing the specific needs and requirements of sectors underserved by other financial services providers. The bank is focused on small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), micro entrepreneurs and, of course, women.

The Covenant Bank for Women seeks to tap into – and empower – a large segment of the market that is still underbanked and marginalised. The bank’s management recognises the importance of an inclusive approach to the overall development of the nation.

Privately-owned and with only women shareholders, Covenant Bank for Women aims to facilitate the creation of wealth by supporting initiatives and projects that help unlock the economic potential of SMEs, start-ups, and micro businesses. Countless studies by the World Bank and others show time and again that sustained growth can only be obtained via inclusive development policies.

The bank helps women entrepreneurs and others draw up detailed business plans and offers hands-on management advice in addition to regular workshops on a wide range of topics relevant to both start-ups and established enterprises.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that the bank maintains a number of different credit products that closely match the needs of small businesses at varying stages of their development. The judges agree that Covenant Bank for Women deserves recognition for its achievements and declare the bank winner of the 2017 Best Social Impact Bank Tanzania Award.


Compenswiss: Best Pension Fund Governance Switzerland 2016

The Swiss Compensation Funds (Fonds de compensation) comprise three entities that jointly manage the surplus monies of the country’s social security system – i.e. the difference between incoming contributions and benefits paid out. The Fonds are managed by an independent entity, and, as such, are not part of the Swiss federal administration. However, the Swiss Federal Council – the central government – does appoint the Fonds’ directors and approves the yearly accounts.

Recognised for its strength in corporate governance, the Fonds aim to adhere to the principles and guidelines established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) – an entity formed in 1985 to combat corporate fraud.

The Fonds engage private auditors to annually assess internal control systems and processes and report the findings directly to the board of directors which bears responsibility for governance and strategy. An external controller, also reporting to the board, monitors the implementation of board decisions regarding strategy and assesses performance.

Additionally, the Fonds’ general secretary is charged with ensuring full compliance with all relevant rules and regulations, and adherence to best practices. A strong risk management division ensures that both financial and non-financial risks are identified and quantified early-on. The division is also responsible for the development of up-to-date risk management processes.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to note that Compenswiss – the common denominator for the Fonds de compensation – has pushed the envelope of corporate governance. The judges are pleased to offer Compenswiss the 2017 Best Pension Fund Governance Switzerland Award.


Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation: Best Corporate Governance in Agribusiness Southeast Asia 2016

Promoting food security and providing a strong impulse to the entire agricultural sector, the Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation (MAPCO) mobilises funds to sharpen the competitive edge of the country’s rice industry. Set up in 2012 as a privately-owned public company, MAPCO aims to help develop Myanmar’s agribusiness sectors, considered one of the most dynamic drivers of the country’s buoyant economy, and set up the infrastructure needed to unlock the potential of the interior.

A public-private partnership, MAPCO is charged with encouraging broad investment into agribusiness in general and rice cultivation and processing in particular. The company is focused on implementing and furthering a sustainable business model that takes the interests of all stakeholders into consideration. MAPCO aims to improve the lives of rice farmers working small holdings by introducing modern techniques and putting in place improved warehousing and transportation facilities that help drive down costs.

As the business arm of the Myanmar Rice Federation, MAPCO is sustained by three pillars: food security, business improvement, and market development. In order to attain its objectives, MAPCO has implemented, and adheres to, the corporate policies and governance principles and guidelines as formulated by the OECD. The company has gained wide recognition as a corporate governance pioneer in Southeast Asia.

The CFI.co judging panel is eager to offer its recognition of MAPCO’s impressive achievements and declares Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation winner of the 2016 Best Corporate Governance in Agribusiness Southeast Asia Award.


Ctrack by Inseego: Most Innovative Fleet Management Solutions Africa 2016

Leveraging the power of telematics, Ctrack by Inseego helps individuals and businesses manage their vehicles in over 55 countries worldwide. Inseego Corp. is a leading global provider of software-as-a-service and solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) – its Ctrack solution is a premier supplier of fleet management services, meeting strong demand with a state-of-the art technology platform that it developed in-house and represents over thirty years of accumulated experience.

Ctrack is widely recognised as a pioneer of fleet management, incorporating novel solutions that add value, while implementing refinements that add convenience. In addition to fleet management, Ctrack provides telematics solutions for asset tracking, vehicle recovery, and usage-based insurance solutions.

The approximately 180,000 global fleet management subscribers enjoy complete real-time visibility of their vehicles, including progress summaries and data on driver behaviour. Effective fleet management enables businesses both large and small to save significantly on operational costs. Using its own helicopters in South Africa, the firm manages to recover over 95% of stolen or hijacked vehicles, including ones that have been driven across international borders. Most vehicles take less than thirty minutes to recover.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Ctrack on its proactive and holistic approach to fleet management. The firm has established a solid track record and delivers consistent results. The judges are pleased to offer Ctrack the 2016 Most Innovative Fleet Management Solution Africa Award.


Msheireb Properties: Best Urban Sustainability Qatar 2017

A subsidiary of the Qatar Foundation for education, science, and community development, Msheireb Properties was set up to find and implement innovative solutions for urban living that improve the quality of life and enable sustainable growth. Through avant-garde design, the company aims to support Qatar’s 2030 Vision. Msheireb Properties’ much-lauded redevelopment of downtown Doha encourages social interaction, promotes cultural expression, and incorporates sustainable living.

Syncing time-honoured building methods with modern technology has allowed Msheireb Properties to deliver a city core that is inviting to visitors and residents alike whilst maintaining a distinctively Qatari touch. The company has deftly managed to employ an architectural language that builds on the local heritage and transposes tradition to the 21st century, ensuring that all requirements demanded by modern living are met. The signature Msheireb Downtown Doha project provides a blueprint for urban renewal that pushes the boundaries of sustainable development.

Msheireb Properties, a commercial venture, takes great care in ensuring that Qatari entrepreneurs, including small business owners, are able to maximise their exposure to the opportunities arising from Qatar 2030 – the national development programme launched in 2008 that seeks to create the conditions for sustainable economic and societal growth.

The CFI.co judging panel notes that Qatar National Vision 2030 is already well underway and commends Msheireb Properties on its significant contribution towards the realisation of a sustainable development model. The judges are pleased to declare Msheireb Properties winner of the 2017 Best Urban Sustainability Qatar Award.


Chilean Metals: Best Wealth Creation Mining Management Chile 2017

There a few places better suited for, and more welcoming to, mining companies than Chile. The country sits atop a veritable treasure chest of mineral resources. The world’s largest copper producer by far – with an output almost three times as large as runner-up China – Chile also boasts sizeable gold reserves – the second largest in South America after Brazil.

Aptly-named Chilean Metals is after both copper and gold in Chile. The company also maintains mining operations in Nova Scotia, on Canada’s Atlantic seaboard. A specialised early-stage junior mining company, Chilean Metals is in the business of exploring new ore deposits in regions that are likely to contain large mineral reserves. The company currently has a portfolio of nine major projects.

In Chile, its properties are concentrated around a 14km-long strike line of the Atacama Structural Zone just south of the Copiapó mining town. This is an area underpinned by igneous rock formations that is already home to some of the country’s largest iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits.

With a world-class team of geologists and drill experts, Chilean Metals has a number of major finds to its name in Canada. Its lead geologist in Chile is credited with identifying the Santo Domingo deposit which sold for over $700m.

Junior mining companies with a solid track record constitute an exceptional value proposition. Chilean Metals – a Canadian company with an exceptionally solid balance sheet – has added an extra layer of protection to its operations by structuring a number of hedges against the unforeseen.

The CFI.co judging panel agrees that junior mining companies are the venues where the real action takes place. Chilean Metals is no exception to this rule. In fact, the company has all it takes – and then some – to strike it rich. The judges are pleased to offer Chilean Mining the 2017 Best Wealth Creation Mining Management Chile Award.


AmsterdamGold Group: Best Precious Metals Investment Advisory Team Europe 2017

[caption id="attachment_5060" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Mr van Hecke (CEO) and Jeroen Kamphuis (CFO)[/caption]

It cannot be printed and does not depend on blockchains, algorithms, or other new-fangled processes: precious metals are the perennial fool- and fail-proof investment vehicle for those who seek long-term certainties in a world increasingly beset by risk. Gold and silver, either in bullion or coins, are tangible assets that may fluctuate momentarily in price but always represent concrete value.

AmsterdamGold Group is counted amongst the world’s largest precious metals trading houses. Founded in 2008, just before the global banking crisis erupted, the company quickly became a safe haven for investors spooked by the fragility of the monetary system. Fully regulated and authorised by the Dutch Financial Market Regulator AFM, AmsterdamGold expanded into a group of four companies that together offer a full suite of services.

AmsterdamSafe operates a fully-secured VAT-free storage facility at Schiphol Airport, guarded by the Royal Constabulary. AmsterdamGold also buys, sells, and transports precious metals. The company’s management is comprised of professionals and captains of industry with extensive business experience accumulated at the country’s largest multinational corporations.

Already the largest full-service precious metals trading and clearing house in the Benelux, AmsterdamGold is now poised for rapid expansion in Europe and beyond.

The CFI.co judging panel commends the company on its holistic and baseline driven approach to precious metals trading, offering ready solutions to investors of all sizes. The judges are pleased to declare AmsterdamGold winner of the 2017 Best Precious Metals Investment Advisory Team Europe Award.


BFX (Baron FX): Best Forex Consultancy North Africa 2017

An education provider as much as an investment portal, Baron Forex Education & Consulting was set up in 2011 to offer clients the knowledge and tools needed to manage and grow their money. The company functions as a twin to Alpha Capital Markets in London which provides a comprehensive suite of financial services such as trading in forex, bullion, and commodities.

BFX was founded to meet the growing demand for trading-related services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The company offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced investors pathways to success via its all-inclusive courses that take in strategies and tactics, on-the-fly market analysis, and trading room practices, amongst others. Clients can sign up for ongoing learning modules that build on experience already accumulated and expand market insight.

BFX uses an array of modern educational tools and techniques to ensure clients are comfortable using advanced trading tools. Learners are able to progress at their own pace all the way from newbie trader to forex instructor. BFX also offers one-on-one guidance to investors aspiring to gain an additional edge.

The company’s mission is to help form traders who are able to consistently turn a profit under any market condition.

The CFI.co judging panel commends BFX on its thorough approach. The judges recognise the importance of education when it comes to navigating and trading world markets. The panel declares BFX (Baron FX) winner of the 2017 Best Forex Consultancy North Africa Award.


Stock Exchange of Thailand: Best Sustainable Securities Exchange Southeast Asia Emerging Markets 2017

With the highest liquidity of any bourse in Southeast Asia, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is ready to broaden its appeal to institutional investors. The exchange already boasts an exceptionally large base of retail investors – responsible for bringing liquidity to the trading floor. These dynamics have convinced the SET executive board that the timing is right to introduce a new over-the-counter market geared towards start-ups seeking angel investors.

Registering on the new platform will not come with minimum capital requirements. SET has database of around 600 start-ups, some of them are expected to apply for a new platform during the initial phase of the new market. Trading will at first be restricted to accredited investors such as high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. Thus, SET’s new platform is meant to diversify the bourse’s client base by attracting new funds. Currently, retail investors represent 53% of trading taking place at SET.

Last year, SET registered trading value in excess of $360bn, a 20% increase over 2015. The bourse has maintained a leadership position in Southeast Asia since 2013 when it overtook the Singapore exchange in size. Set to double its market capitalisation by 2020, SET proves that excellence in corporate governance and adherence to strict ESG standards pays off. SET is a member of the UN’s Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative.

The CFI.co judging panel is pleased to offer the Stock Exchange of Thailand the 2017 Best Sustainable Securities Exchange Southeast Asia Emerging Markets Award.