Blog
Nasdaq Dubai’s Market Site: A dynamic new venue where Dubai will showcase financial markets and business thought leadership
Early next year Nasdaq Dubai will relocate to brand new, state-of-the-art premises in a building currently under construction in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Jafza companies are poised for further growth following regulatory changes
Ever since it opened in 1985 as Dubai’s first free zone, Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone) and the businesses based there have been at the forefront of the emirate’s astonishing growth. New regulations announced by Jafza last month show that the free zone is continuing to blaze a trail to create an ever more attractive environment for companies from around the world to operate.
UAE is building capital markets infrastructure for the long-term
In the last few months the UAE has taken two critical steps that expand its infrastructure, which are unique in this region. They confirm the UAE’s regional leadership role in capital markets development and will in due course lead to the kind of upsurge in market activity that will benefit all parties involved locally and regionally.
Nasdaq Dubai ramps up its Islamic finance initiatives
Hamed Ali answers questions from Salaam Gateway, a new Islamic finance portal launched at the Global Islamic Economy Summit on October 5 by Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC) and Thomson Reuters.
UAE-Egypt capital markets ties are growing stronger
Capital markets cooperation between Arab countries is key to unlocking their economic potential and promoting the prosperity of their people. While significant progress has been made over the years, there is plenty of scope for faster development. So it is gratifying to see that in recent months significant steps have been taken linking the markets of the UAE and Egypt.
To list or not to list?
The great majority of Sukuk issuers have traditionally opted not to list their securities on an exchange. For a variety of reasons, they have not felt it necessary or even desirable. There are clear signs, however, that the appeal of a listing is growing, as the sector matures, new actors become involved, and attitudes change.
Sukuk investors eye on-exchange trading
Like conventional bonds, Sukuk are traded overwhelmingly over the counter (OTC). This pattern has been established since the first Sukuk issuances nearly 15 years ago. However, efforts to provide investors with attractive alternatives are well underway, including initiatives by several exchanges to bring trading on to their platforms.
Collaboration is driving innovation in the Islamic capital markets
Collaboration is the lifeblood of the capital markets. This has been true for many decades in conventional finance, where close relationships involving global financial centres such as New York, London and Hong Kong have spurred the rapid introduction of a sophisticated range of new asset classes and securitisation
structures, as well as the expansion of different types of fund and cross-border investment opportunities.
Sukuk trading needs to modernise as sector expands
The rapid expansion of the Sukuk sector is a welcome development for all of us who recognize its value as an ethical and efficient means of raising capital. It is not only that the pace of growth is impressive, with global issuance expected to reach 70 billion dollars this year, according to Moody’s, compared to 32 billion dollars in 2010.
Preparing for your IPO
Many companies would like to go public in an IPO, but are unsure what is involved. Your questions about how to prepare are answered here.