CEO Insights Magazine

Despite the slowdown prevailing in the stock market after the pandemic, we can still sense a flare with the way stock markets & investments are getting democratized the world over, thanks especially to the increasing number of young investors. The scenario in GCC is a case in point. According to a report by PwC, some degree of investor confidence is returning as reflected through the five IPOs in Q1 2021 in the region. But something that the industry as a whole continues to convey lucidly and firmly to the investors is the need for having comprehensive knowledge around the entire investment ecosystem and the risk factors encompassed in the whole proposition.

In truth, when it comes to equity investments, knowledge acquisition is a continuous process that pertains to every stakeholder. But the majority of the investors fail to comprehend this elementary fact and often end up burning their fingers. Tulal Al-Ajmi (Founder & CEO, VI Markets), a passionate investur & trader, recognizing this knowledge gap, engendered win-win scenario with the entire trading community benefiting from his experience, while he emerged as a leader and an award-winning entrepreneur by creating a unique online trading ecosystem in Kuwait through his venture VI Markets, incorporating everything from technology to training, and cutting-edge trading services. Having partnered with London-based, Financial Conduct of Authority (FCA) approved online broker platform One Financial Markets, VI Markets provides investors in the Middle East with tailored online trading services that enable them trade forex and contracts for differences (CFDS) on indices, commodities, energies, bonds, and futures.

Needless to say, we are talking about a populous industry. But digging deeper would reveal that while many companies provide trading solutions, they hardly focus on providing a good basis of knowledge. Being a long-time trader himself, Talal's endeavors over the last decade to primarily focus on education and bridging the knowledge gap prevailing in the industry has been inspiringly successful. Thanks to his passion and will to allocate a fair amount of resources. To impart knowledge for free through workshops and seminars in different languages inside and outside the organization, tens of thousands of traders today read the market trends and interpret the news in a progressive manner, eventually making informed decisions. I recently got in touch with this amazing leader and a great personality Talal engages in an exclusive interaction with CEO Insights.

You have majored in information technology. What made you transform into the investment & trading domain?

IT or business in general is quite different from investing and trading. But even during my academic career in IT, I was extremely passionate about investment & trading, and indeed actually took a part time job in one of the companies near my college to explore the different dimensions of trading and learn more about it. Post my graduation, I still had the same passion towards knowing more about this segment and surpassed all the pressure from my family to work in an investment company. I pursued my passion and realized my dream of being an entrepreneur who helps aspirant investors and traders.

You have a stellar reputation in the industry. Did you foresee this is where you would end up when you started your journey as an entrepreneur? What was the key to this success and what were the challenges that you faced?

I don't believe in designations. I believe that hard work & dedication was the key for this company to excel. As a matter of fact, when I kick started this journey, I was not convinced that I would be able to run a company, make it big, or settle it at this level. But the obstacles I faced made me learn from my mistakes and move forward to reach where I am today 

When it comes to challenges, I would say that the most difficult thing is sales & training, especially when we know that there is a high demand and we need to provide the best services to people, while ensuring the highest level of safety and trust. And the team I am blessed with possesses the characteristics, morals and cupability to settle every challenge that comes our way. I started the company a long time ago with a small team that was ready to sacrifice anything in order to work with me. Today, they represent the senior management and they are the pillars of this company. We are a family.

Coming to the flip side of the coin, what is the kind of experience that your clients are entitled to? How do you prosper the trust factor?

Something clients demand and deserve is transparency. Providing such elevated level of transparency has been one of the major reasons for our growth. 

We provide our customers with the comprehensive information and knowledge they need, and we don't manage their portfolios, they manage their portfolios: not to mention that they can withdraw their money anytime.

Additionally, we have a support department that works 24x7 with an aim to help our clients excel in trading. We also have a dedicated client services team that sits with the clients one-on-one and listens to their sophisticated needs and requirements. This incorporates a team of reputed. trainers as well.

It's also important to shed light on the Financial Conduct of Authority (FCA) regulation that we are actually compliant with. Not a lot of companies. have the FCA compliance, which is a recognition by the Financial Authority of UK. It is one of the most powerful regulatory authorities in the world. It sure translates as a great sense of credibility and assurance to the money invested by our clients. Additionally, we are home to a strict data & information security policy. 

TALAL AL-AJMI, Founder & CEO, Vi Markets

Talal has become a strong leadership figure in the Middle East over the last few years. An IT graduate from the University of Philadelphia academically, he developed a passion for investment and trading during his academic days, and today has proven to be an innovative and revolutionary leader with his unique mindset and exceptional work ethics

Hobbles: Football, Watch Collector, & Car Collector Favorite Cuisine: Lebanese /loponese Favorite Book: Market Wizard & Fortune Favors the Bold

Awards & Recognition: Global Leader of the year 2021 by Asia One, Visionary Leader of the Year 2021 by Entrepreneur Magazine,  GCC Young Achievers by Arabian Business Magazine, The Arab Power List by Arabian Business Magazine