Russia's Financial Communications and Investor Relations Alliance (ARFI) was formed in 2000. In 2012-13 and 2008 it was reorganized and renamed. In 2012 ARFI has merged with OSSI to form the single Russian IR-society. Among its members and participants are major Russian stock exchanges, financial news agencies, issuers and other companies and individuals specializing in investor relations, business information and financial communications. In 2007-2008 ARFI initiated official recognition of the profession of IR Specialist in Russia. ARFI’s Code of Ethics was approved in 2001. The founders of ARFI are Moscow Exchange, Interfax, PRIME of RIA NOVOSTI Group, and MFD-InforCenter. ARFI is to improve the informational transparency and the investment attractiveness of the Russian financial market and creating appropriate conditions for fair competition in the market of financial communications. ARFI sustains and supports its members’ business through the following activities: •Development and maintenance of professional standards of market practice that are recognized globally •Advocacy at national and international level to facilitate appropriate levels of regulation •Consultancy and research projects •Networking, information sharing and organization of market events ARFI has signed Memorandums of cooperation with the American FISD/SIIA, the Middle East IR Society, Bulgarian ABIRDand the UAIR, Ukrainian IR Association. A member of the Global Investor Relations Network.
