Annual Reviews

A record year for Nasdaq Dubai Debt listings as it added to its list of notable issuers, both sovereign and corporates, including the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Philippines and prominent real estate developers like Arada Developments, Sobha Realty and FIVE Holdings

Amongst the key highlights of the year, the expansion of Nasdaq Dubai’s crypto currencies offering, and investment opportunities supported by its open, progressive, and innovative ecosystem that enables leading investment and fund management companies globally to venture into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets.

The year 2021 was a momentous year for Nasdaq Dubai at many levels and the highlight of the year was the widely welcomed launch of the Higher Committee to develop Dubai’s financial markets and exchanges. The Committee announced a strategic ambitious plan to increase the value of the markets to AED three trillion. It also plans to list ten Government-related conglomerates, launch a market making fund as well as a fund to encourage IPOs from technology companies.

A highlight of the year was the launch of the Nasdaq Dubai Growth Market for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. This landmark initiative will transform the prospects of many businesses in the UAE and around the world, by offering a new route to raise capital for expansion.

The exchange’s strategy of expanding its existing markets while also entering new sectors paid handsome dividends in 2019. It was a record year for debt listings by value, with a healthy mix of UAE and international listings. We also launched futures on shares of Saudi companies for the first time.

A year of dynamic growth in Islamic and conventional listings, as well as expansion of the equity derivatives market, has strengthened Nasdaq Dubai’s role as the region’s international exchange. We also expanded our thought leadership role in promoting debate and discussion on the capital markets and business issues.

As well as expanding its markets in 2017, Nasdaq Dubai focused on strengthening many important relationships that will underpin its growth for years to come. Some of these connections are domestic and some international. All of them position the exchange to accelerate its mission to transform the capital markets landscape and promote prosperity.

Dubai’s traditional leadership in developing the region’s capital markets showed fresh vigour in 2016. The successful opening of Nasdaq Dubai’s equity futures market was a milestone that has transformed the investment landscape by offering investors new tools for increasing and preserving wealth.

The wisdom of Dubai’s commitment to developing world class capital markets has become clearer than ever. From securing a major international equity listing, to establishing itself as the world’s leading Sukuk listing centre, Dubai made great strides in 2015 that position it for further growth as the region’s financial sector hub.

The exchange’s global reach was underlined by two ground-breaking debt listings from China. Islamic finance was a particular focus, including the rapid growth of the exchange’s Sukuk market and the official launch of its Murabaha platform.