24 Mar, 2007Arbuthnot Securities joins DIFX as Member, in first move into Middle East

Arbuthnot Securities, the London-based investment bank, has joined the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX), in order to expand its securities trading and fund raising activities into the Middle East.

Arbuthnot is the second specialist UK investment bank to become a DIFX Member, bringing the total number of DIFX Members to twenty.

Mark Brown, Chief Executive of Arbuthnot Securities said: Arbuthnot will play a full part in the exciting developments underway at the exchange, which is growing fast in a region of enormous economic potential. We will now be able to offer both our corporate and our institutional clients an increasing range of regional and international investment choices.

Per E. Larsson, Chief Executive of the DIFX, said: The arrival of Arbuthnot as a Member opens up new links between the exchange and investors seeking new assets. With our Membership list now totaling 20, and with other brokers preparing to join, we are expanding the critical mass of relationships that is driving our growth as the region 's international stock market.

Arbuthnot Securities is a full-service integrated investment bank providing institutional broking and corporate advisory services. In Britain it focuses on shares of medium-size and small companies.

Hamed Ali, Executive Officer of the DIFX, said: The exchange offers excellent access to its listed securities for retail and wholesale investors through brokers based in the UAE and elsewhere. The number and variety of listings will expand significantly over 2007.