Ahmed bin Saeed rings opening bell to celebrate listing of two Emirates NBD Bonds on Nasdaq Dubai

DUBAI, 18th May, 2015 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates NBD, yesterday rang the market-opening bell to celebrate the listing of two conventional bonds totalling US$951 million on Nasdaq Dubai. The two debt issues, one of 550 million euros (US$601 million) and the other of US$350 million, reflect Emirates NBD’s continuing expansion as a leading regional financial institution, according to the Emirates NBD, which says that the group is the largest issuer of conventional bonds on Dubai’s exchanges, with a total nominal value of 4.78 billion US Dollars from its eight listings. The bell ceremony took place in the presence of Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC, and Chairman of Dubai Financial Market, DFM, Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman of Emirates NBD, Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, Chairman of Nasdaq Dubai, Shayne Nelson, Chief Executive of Emirates NBD and Hamed Ali, Chief Executive of Nasdaq Dubai. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said, "As we expand our banking activities in the UAE and internationally, Emirates NBD views Nasdaq Dubai as the ideal exchange to underpin our fund-raising needs. Nasdaq Dubai’s close links to investors around the world and its first class regulatory standards create a reliable and effective listing structure." Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC and Chairman of DFM, said, "Emirates NBD's latest bond listings further strengthen Dubai’s role as a capital markets centre of excellence, able to accommodate listings in diverse international currencies and providing global reach and visibility. Dubai’s exchanges will continue to enhance their procedures and framework to meet the needs of market participants." Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, Chairman of Nasdaq Dubai, said, "As the region’s international financial exchange, Nasdaq Dubai is committed to supporting economic growth and wealth creation in the region. It is achieving these goals by facilitating capital-raising by a range of private and public sector issuers that are active in a growing range of industries." The total nominal value of Nasdaq Dubai’s conventional bonds has now reached US$8.77 billion as a result of Emirates NBD's latest two bonds with nominal value of 550 million euros and US$350 million, which listed on March 24th, 2015 and May 7th, 2015, respectively. Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman of Emirates NBD, said, "The successful collaboration between Emirates NBD and Nasdaq Dubai is providing strong support for the growth of the capital markets in the UAE. The exchange’s responsive infrastructure and strong links to investors make it an ideal platform for Emirates NBD and other issuers to showcase their securities." Shayne Nelson, Chief Executive of Emirates NBD, said, "We continue to diversify our sources of funding by issuing debt in a wide range of currencies. Emirates NBD's euro-denominated bond issuance, the first euro benchmark issue by a Gulf bank since 2007, was extremely well received and allowed us to successfully broaden our European investor base. Nasdaq Dubai's world-class market infrastructure and unique access to regional and global investors makes it an ideal exchange partner for Emirates NBD’s debt listings." Hamed Ali, Chief Executive of Nasdaq Dubai, said, "The exchange will build further on its success as a leading venue for debt listings, both conventional and Islamic, through innovation and by expanding its regional and international links. In post-listing services its focus includes streamlining its custody and transfer framework and promoting on-exchange debt trading." – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/economics/1395280686990.html