ING OFE, East Capital, Eton Park, Kernel and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority have received special awards in acknowledgment of their contribution to the development and strengthening of capital markets in Central and Eastern Europe through their continuous presence and activity. The awards were granted at a prestigious gala event that was part of the CEE IPO Summit held on 25-26 May in Warsaw, where global investors met representatives of companies from Central and Eastern Europe.

The CEE IPO Summit was organized to promote Poland and the Warsaw Stock Exchange as a dynamically developing capital market, which can prove to be a reliable source of capital, capable of offering new investment possibilities. For two days Warsaw hosted several hundred visitors representing companies from all over the world, who came there to discuss the investment potential of Poland and the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

The gala event was an important part of the summit, with the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Bronisław Komorowski appearing as the guest of honour. The evening was highlighted by the ceremony of giving the CEE IPO Summit special awards, which were granted in 5 categories.

ING OFE has received the Best Domestic Emerging Markets Long Fund Award. ING OFE is the fund with the closest ties to the Polish capital market and the leader in terms of the asset value and the number of customers.

East Capital is the winner of the Best International Emerging Markets Long Fund Award. East Capital is considered to be a leading independent fund specialising in the financial markets of Eastern Europe and China. The company received the award for active contribution of capital, providing funds for the development of CEE countries’ potential in a long-term perspective.

Eton Park has received the Best International Emerging Markets Alternative Fund Award. This award was granted to the fund which stands out against others in that it participates in regional transactions, and has been often insightful enough to see the value where others failed to see it early, if at all. Eton Park is a leading hedge fund worldwide, specifically investing in shares in the American, European and Asian companies. Investments in Central and Eastern Europe have recently become a focus of the company’s attention.

Kernel is a Ukrainian company winning the Best Regional IPO on the WSE Award for the best transaction of a regional company on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Not only did this IPO demonstrate the potential of the WSE as a regional financial centre, but it also set high standards for regional transactions and new directions for development.

Last but not least, the “Bridge” Award went to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which is considered to be the second largest investor worldwide, and demonstrating a growing interest in the emerging markets. The award was granted in acknowledgment of efforts to put Central and Eastern Europe permanently on the global investments map, and thereby bridge the gap between business activities in Eastern Europe and the global capital.

The winners received their prizes from the representatives of Polish institutions at the evening gala. The event was enhanced by the presence of the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Bronisław Komorowski, the Minister of Treasury, Mr. Aleksander Grad, the President of the Capital City of Warsaw, Mrs. Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, the President of the Warsaw Stock Exchange, Mr. Ludwik Sobolewski and the President of the National Depository for Securities, Ms. Iwona Sroka.