Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, and with the support of the Dubai International Financial Centre, Majid Garoub Training Centre organised the first and second Gulf Stock Markets Forum from 14-16 March 2006 and the second session from 3-5 March 2007 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. More than 300 experts participated in the Stock Markets Forum, and 35 working papers were presented that discussed the Gulf stock exchanges and registration, listing and disclosure rules in them through the reality, challenges and ambitions of the markets. The importance of the forum stems from the status of the Gulf stock markets and their advanced position in the global financial markets, as they are the main driver of global oil investments.