Press Release
ONLINE TRADING ACADEMY SIGNS FIRST MASTER FRANCHISE
Leading Financial Educator Jump-starts International Expansion With Master
Franchise Agreement for Middle East and Select Countries in North Africa
IRVINE, CALIF., Nov. 20, 2005 – Online Trading Academy™, leading financial education franchisor, today
announced that it has signed its first master franchise agreement with training industry leader Al Khaleej Training
and Education. The agreement allows Al Khaleej to develop Online Trading Academy franchises throughout the Middle
East and certain North African countries.
“The Middle East and North Africa are thriving markets for training and education,
especially within the financial services industry,” said Eyal Shahar, president, Online Trading Academy. “Our Wall
Street know-how and proven educational business model together with the established network of training centers and
training expertise of Al Khaleej is a winning combination.”
Based in Saudi Arabia, Al Khaleej Training and Education is the largest professional training organization
serving the Middle East with 32 training facilities supporting New Horizons Computer Learning Centers and Direct
English master franchises as well as business skills, eLearning and other training offerings. The new master
franchise agreement with Online Trading Academy extends the company’s reach into training, education and coursework
designed to assist active traders, investors, stock, foreign exchange and options traders within Middle East
financial services markets. According to the agreement, Al Khaleej expects to open approximately eight financial
education and trading centers throughout the region over the next three years. Target locations include major cities
in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt. A successful Online Trading Academy franchisee is already
established in Dubai.
“The Middle East economies are growing rapidly and the financial markets here reflect vital investment activities
and healthy capital formation,” said Alwaleed Aldryaan, president of Al Khaleej. “This is an ideal time to expand
our organization to address the needs of the new financial community in the Middle East and North African region
with the proven training and education methods of Online Trading Academy. Online Trading Academy’s training and
education franchise system allows us to offer high quality coursework, a low-cost business model and access to
qualified sales leads to interested franchisees throughout our region.”
About Online Trading Academy
Since 1997, Online Trading Academy has trained active traders and financial institutions throughout the United
States. The company offers live Professional Trader Series classes, CD and DVD training, online mentoring and course
work to investors, stock, foreign exchange, options and futures traders interested in learning the Active Trading
and Investing methodology. Evolving from a company of 180 traders processing more than $500 billion of securities
trades daily, Online Trading Academy has a tested and refined business model prime for franchising. Online Trading
Academy is not a broker-dealer, however its elite affiliations with leading broker-dealers such as: CyberTrader,
TradePortal, and Questrade among others offering rebates to cover class tuition. Visit
www.tradingacademy.com for more information on training or franchise
opportunities.
About Al Khaleej Training and Education
Al Khaleej is the master franchisee for the Middle East for New Horizons Computer Learning Centers and Direct
English learning centers. A perennial award winner for these two brands, Al Khaleej trains more than 55 thousands
students in hundreds of courses ranging from basic computer applications to Microsoft, Novell, CompTIA, Oracle and
Cisco certifications, English language and management courses per year. The company also offers diploma programs in
IT, and English language through its network of 32 owned and franchised training centers throughout the Middle East
and North Africa.