Capital Markets
From The Report: Kuwait 2019
View in Online Reader

Kuwait’s equity markets have gone through a remarkable series of reforms in recent years, and the state has been rewarded with upgrades by international index compilers and ballooning inflows of foreign investment. Enabling infrastructure and a robust legal framework are in place to ensure continued development, and demand for assets has been proven. Therefore, what is critical going forward is a greater supply of high-quality investable securities, from sovereign bonds to small company equity listings by businesses with solid track records. This chapter contains interviews with Khaldoun Al Tabtabaie, CEO, Kuwait Clearing Company; and Mohamed Al Osaimi, Acting CEO, Boursa Kuwait.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Continuous improvement: Years of reforms have led to global recognition and greater inflows
OBG
plus

Kuwait’s equity markets have gone through a remarkable series of reforms in recent years, which have been rewarded with upgrades by international index compilers and ballooning inflows of foreign investment. Enabling infrastructure and a robust legal framework are in place to ensure the markets’ continued development, and demand for assets has been proven. What is critical going forward is a greater supply of high-quality investable securities, from sovereign bonds to small company equity…

Interview

On the map: Khaldoun Al Tabtabaie, CEO, Kuwait Clearing Company (KCC), on upgrading processes and aligning with best practices
OBG
plus

Interview:Khaldoun Al Tabtabaie What guides KCC’s strategy, and what are the main challenges the entity has faced? KHALDOUN AL TABTABAIE: The pillars of KCC’s strategy include the contribution to capital market development initiatives, alignment with international best practices, improvement to core services, and most importantly, investment in human capital. One of the challenging aspects we faced was how to translate plans into meaningful results, particularly when there are different…

Analysis

Growth ahead: Major index providers upgrade Kuwait to emerging market status
OBG
plus

The reforms that have been carried out by the authorities to develop Kuwait’s market have been recognised by the international investor community via inclusions in influential emerging market indices. This should be of considerable benefit to the market, encouraging professionalisation and driving performance. New Ranks In the second half of 2018 Kuwait was included in the FTSE Emerging All Cap Index. A total of 12 Kuwaiti stocks were included for a combined weight of 0.5%, which…

Analysis

Strategic expansion: Calculated agreements aim to strengthen Kuwait’s presence in regional banking and investment
OBG
plus

Two major transactions were under way in Kuwait’s financial sector in mid-2019. First, KAMCO Investment Company, the investment banking subsidiary of Kuwaiti conglomerate KIPCO, was merging with Global Investment House (GIH), another local investment firm. Second, Kuwait Finance House (KFH), the country’s largest Islamic bank, was looking to purchase Ahli United Bank (AUB) of Bahrain for around $8bn. Making Moves The joining of KAMCO and GIH is the largest merger in Kuwait’s investment…

Interview

Enhanced capacities: Mohamed Al Osaimi, Acting CEO, Boursa Kuwait, on boosting the stock exchange’s status and product portfolio
OBG
plus

Interview:Mohamed Al Osaimi What gains are to be expected from the privatisation of Boursa Kuwait and Kuwait’s upgrade to emerging market status by several indices? MOHAMED AL OSAIMI: Boursa Kuwait’s privatisation and ongoing progressive market reforms have paved the way for the implementation of numerous regulatory and operational enhancements in the Kuwaiti equity market. These reforms established an exchange capable of supporting the strength, depth and long-term growth of the Kuwaiti…