04 Nov, 2013Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed rings the bell to celebrate listing of two Emirates Islamic Bank Sukuk with value of AED 3.67 billion on NASDAQ Dubai

HisHighness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates NBD, rang the opening bell at Dubai Financial Market (DFM) today to celebrate the listing of two Sukuk by Emirates Islamic Bank (EIB) on NASDAQ Dubai.

EIB’s choice of the region’s international financial exchange for both of its Sukuk, each with a nominal value of 500 million dollars, a total of 1 billion dollars (AED 3.67 billion), raised the total value of Sukuk listed on Dubai’s exchanges to 12.08 billion dollars (AED 44.4 billion), the third largest amount in the world.

The bell-ringing ceremony took place in the presence of His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Al Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development of the Islamic Economy sector, as well as Essa Kazim, Chairman of Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Secretary General of the Committee; Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman of Emirates NBD and Chairman of EIB; Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, Chairman of NASDAQ Dubai; and Hamed Ali, Chief Executive of NASDAQ Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “EIB’s preference for an international exchange located in its own region made NASDAQ Dubai the natural listing venue for its Sukuk. As well as an excellent regulatory environment, the exchange provides high visibility for EIB’s securities, which supports the bank’s strategy of growth and expansion in the UAE and internationally.”

His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Al Gergawi said: “EIB’s listings have provided further momentum to the ‘Dubai, the global Sukuk centre initiative’ launched in February by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minster and Ruler of Dubai, in line with His Highness’s vision to position the Emirate as the Capital of Islamic Economy globally and in light of the direct supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. This vision is being achieved through the dynamic activities of prominent banks such as EIB as well as other regional and international institutions that aim to fully develop the Islamic capital markets sector, for the benefit of investors and the development of the wider economy.”

Essa Kazim, Chairman of Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Secretary General of the Higher Committee said: “Dubai’s Islamic financial markets are poised for a new era of expansion in scope as well as size, through the development of new products and services. The Emirate’s exchanges will continue to play their major role in meeting the evolving needs of issuers and investors for efficient and secure financing and investment solutions.”

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman of Emirates NBD and Chairman of EIB, said: “Emirates Islamic Bank is committed to broadening the Sharia-compliant services that it provides across its corporate, business and personal banking offerings, as well as to providing education to the public about the advantages of Islamic finance. By issuing and listing its own Sukuk, the bank has further strenghtened its involvement with and support for the Islamic capital markets.”

Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, Chairman of NASDAQ Dubai, said: “NASDAQ Dubai’s intention to become the world’s largest exchange for Sukuk by listed value remains on track. We look forward to welcoming further issuers from around the world as well as our own region through our streamlined admission procedures and we are committed to enhancing the post-listing services that we offer to them and to investors.”

The listing of EIB’s Sukuk on NASDAQ Dubai took place in September.

The yield on the HSBC/ NASDAQ Dubai USDollar NASDAQ Dubai-Listed Sukuk Indexhas fallen to 3.76% from 4.5% at the beginning of September, implying greater demand for the securities in the index.