08 Oct, 2013Following the launch of the Islamic Economy strategy by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and in light of his vision to transform Dubai into the capital of Islamic Economy: Bank of London and The Middle East (BLME) lists its shares on NASDAQ Dubai

• Hamdan bin Mohammed: The listing reflects regional and international interest in (Dubai The Capital Of Islamic Economy) initiative and our commitment to accomplish Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid 's vision for this sector

• The Higher Committee for Development of the Islamic Economy hails listing as a significant step for the Emirate 's Sharia’a financial markets

The equity listing will further promote Dubai 's progresssince the launch of the ‘Dubai the global Sukuk centre’ initiative by HisHighness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, PrimeMinister and Ruler of Dubai and in light of HH 'svision to transform Dubai into the capital of Islamic Economy.

BLME Chairman Yacob Yousef Al-Muzainirang the opening bell at Dubai Financial Market (DFM) to celebrate the listingin the presence of His Excellency Mohammed AbdullaAl Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh MohammedBin Rashid Al Maktoum and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development ofthe Islamic Economy sector, Essa Kazim, Managing Director and Chief Executiveof DFM and Secretary General of the Higher Committee and Abdul Wahed Al Fahim,Chairman of NASDAQ Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammedbin Rashid AlMaktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the patron of theinitiative for developing the Islamic Economy in Dubai said: The listing of Bankof London and The Middle East represents a positive step towards accomplishingthe vision of His Highness SheikhMohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transformDubai into the capital of Islamic Economy,especially as it comes a few days after the launch of the Islamic Economystrategy by HH Sheikh Mohammed aimed to develop the Islamic economy sectorwhich reaffirms the commitment of various institutions and sectors in Dubai torealize this vision and the great interest it attracts from various regionaland international institutions active in this sector.

HE MohammedAl Gergawi said: As Dubai moves determinedlytowards achieving the vision of HisHighness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum totransform the emirate into the capital of Islamic Economy,we aredelighted that BLME, as a prominent Islamic bank with an international profile,has chosen NASDAQ Dubai as its listing venue. Its decision is a significantstep forward in Dubai 's expansion as a global centre of the Islamic equitymarkets. BLME provides an important link between the financial markets ofEurope and the Middle East and its listing underlines NASDAQ Dubai 's broadgeographical footprint as an exchange that serves issuers and investors fromthe region and beyond.

Mr. Al-Muzaini said: NASDAQ Dubai 's international andregional links will give BLME the visibility and access to investors that itneeds in addition to benefitting from its world class regulatory framework.

Humphrey Percy,BLME Chief Executive, added: Through theHigher Committee for Development of the Islamic Economy, Dubai has committed toestablishing the Emirate as the economic capital of the Islamic Financeindustry which greatly supports BLME 's position as a market leading Sharia’acompliant Bank. BLME sees the Listing as a significant step in realising ourShareholders’ ambitions for the bank.

Essa Kazim,Managing Director and Chief Executive of DFM and Secretary General of theHigher Committee, said: BLME 's listing on NASDAQ Dubaiis a significant addition to the investment opportunities provided by the UAE 'scapital markets. Following a sustained period of rising trading volumes on thecountry 's exchanges, as well as MSCI 's upgrade of the UAE, the listing furtherdemonstrates the strength of the nation 's equity markets. The outlook ispositive for further expansion including in the Islamic sector.

The ratings agency MSCI announced in May that it will promote theUAE from Frontier status to Emerging Market status in 2014.

Abdul WahedAl Fahim, Chairman of NASDAQ Dubai, said: Followingsuccessful enhancements that have streamlined listing procedures on NASDAQDubai and strengthened its links to investors, the exchange will continue toupgrade its structure for the benefit of market participants. NASDAQ Dubailooks forward to welcoming further substantial regional and internationalequity listings, including initial public offerings, as well as developing newmarkets in Islamic and conventional asset classes.

DFM is the majority shareholder of NASDAQ Dubai and the twoexchanges share a common trading platform.