Dr Mounther Barakat is the Senior Capital Markets Advisor at the Emirates Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA). Earned his PhD degree in Finance from Oklahoma State University in 2003. Headed the department of Research and Development and international benchmarking and practices for 8 years. A Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the CFA Institute. A charter holder and a member of the Investment Performance Measurement Association (CIPM).A Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM holder and a member of the Global Association of Risk Professionals – GARP). A certified Anti Money Laundry Specialist (CAMS holder from the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundry Specialists – ACAMS). Provided technical assistance for writing securities regulations for the past 11 years. Prepared the Islamic Capital Market strategy for the SCA. Authored 13 refereed financial research. Published the first book in 2010.  Delivered numerous training and awareness workshops. Worked as a freelance consultant for many institutions including the Government of Dubai, and the Palestine Securities Exchange, and the Islamic Society of the Greater Houston Area among others. Taught Finance classes at the University of Houston, Kansas state and Oklahoma state in the US.