CSFBdirect-eUnion, the Middle East's first online brokering firm, has introduced an online investing information facility at the Dubai outlet of CompuMe, the IT megastore.

"This unique service will offer current and potential investors visiting CompuMe a convenient opportunity to speak face-to-face with representatives and to register for free seminars on online investment," said CSFBdirect-eUnion.

The facility will be manned by representatives trained by CSFBdirect-eUnion to offer detailed demonstrations of the company's service and website tools, handle queries and provide literature on online investing. Additionally, they will assist visitors with account opening and register attendees for the investment seminars, a statement said.

The educational seminars will be available immediately for interested members of the public at no cost. The seminars will be conducted at CompuMe's training facility in interactive sessions of one and a half hours. Limited to 12 to ensure interactivity, guests will have PC and Internet access and receive guidance from an independent financial expert on stock market mechanics, various investment tools and the development of an investment strategy.

This information service comes in addition to the company's customer support centre, which was launched in Dubai Internet City last year to serve the region. "We are aiming to address two important customer needs through the new investment information service - the demand for face-to-face interaction and the importance of investor education on market mechanics, especially for beginners," said Maleck Habib, vice-president for marketing at CSFBdirect-eUnion.

COO of CompuMe Leon Beuyukian commented: "We are confident that this unique educational service will offer more value to the store's services and the overall customer experience when visiting CompuMe outlets."

CSFBdirect-eUnion is part of the global network of CSFBdirect, the online brokerage service of US investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston. The company is a joint venture between CSFBdirect, Capital Union, a regional investment bank and Webtrade eVentures, an e-commerce company focused on the development of online financial services in the Arab world.