Capital Markets
From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2023
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Abu Dhabi plays a central role in regional capital markets development, attracting government-owned companies seeking listings and contributing to sustainable asset regulatory frameworks. Amid global economic challenges, Abu Dhabi remains an attractive investment destination, with strong demand for its debt and a robust initial public offering (IPO) pipeline. Forward-looking regulatory measures, including carbon credit trading, are enhancing its appeal as the emirate continues to expand after the Covid-19 pandemic. Abu Dhabi’s economic trajectory, coupled with regulatory foresight, positions it as a promising investment opportunity in a changing global landscape.

With fluctuating inflation and slowed productivity growth in developed markets, Abu Dhabi stands out as an attractive investment opportunity. Robust demand for its debt speaks to confidence in its future economic trajectory and its IPO pipeline appears strong. Ratings agencies affirm Abu Dhabi’s fiscal stability, highlighting its ability to maintain surpluses.

This chapter features an interview with Maryam Buti Al Suwaidi, CEO, Securities and Commodities Authority.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Forward progress: Robust demand for debt and development of framework for initial public offerings (IPOs) indicate growth
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Abu Dhabi plays a leading role in regional capital markets development, both as a driving force for the development of sustainable and virtual asset regulatory frameworks, and as a centre of equity listings and merger and acquisition (M&A) activity. The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 seeks to diversify the economy away from fossil fuels, ensuring a plentiful supply of formerly government-owned companies seeking to debut on public markets. Moreover, as economic growth continues to expand after…

Interview

Innovation drive: Maryam Buti Al Suwaidi, CEO, Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), on the significance of establishing a regulatory framework that fosters development
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Interview:Maryam Buti Al Suwaidi In what ways is innovation helping to streamline business operations in capital markets? MARYAM BUTI AL SUWAIDI: The financial sector is experiencing rapid growth, and financial services firms are adopting flexible business models. As the regulator of capital markets in the UAE, the SCA closely monitors challenges and risks. The emergence of new products, services and technologies, such as distributed ledger technology and artificial intelligence, presents…

Analysis

On the up: The macroeconomic climate is set to boost public offerings
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The GCC saw a rise in initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2022 despite volatility in secondary markets, surpassing the previous year’s record high. The total number of IPOs in the region increased from 20 in 2021 to 48 in 2022, marking a 140% rise, and proceeds from GCC issuers increased by 211% from $7.5bn to almost $23bn over the same period. The growing number of successful IPOs in the region has resulted in greater interest from investors. Following an uptick in activity in the UAE and Saudi…