Middle East
Abu Dhabi inks rare bond
Abu Dhabi has returned to the international bond markets. The emirate was able to tighten the pricing due to its popularity amongst investors and rarity in this market. By issuing a bond the emirate was also able to achieve more favourable pricing by accessing more readily available foreign capital.
27 Apr 2016
Oman to strengthen sukuk market
Oman has traditionally had a small Islamic financing sector, the development of which could see a larger number of corporates coming to the sukuk markets, which would help strengthen investment in the country.
25 Apr 2016
Saudi Arabia orders foreign loan
Saudi Arabia is set to receive a benchmark sized loan from a number of international banks after a long absence from the international capital markets. Despite the size of the loan, it is unlikely to crowd out the markets, and could mark the beginning of a number of issuances from the GCC region.
25 Apr 2016
Top Dealmaker: The Islamic Banker
Dr. Adnan Chilwan is a leading authority in the field of Islamic Banking & Finance, and a driver of change and innovation in this segment which is now fast becoming a global phenomenon. With a career spanning nearly two decades with both reputed conventional and Islamic banks in the gulf region, he currently serves as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Islamic Bank, the world’s first…
22 Apr 2016
Could the GCC steal the EM mantle from Frontier Markets?
What underpinned the boom in frontier market issuance in emerging markets in 2013 -2014 and, given the retreat from risk, will GCC region issuers have the credit quality to take over the EM mantle from frontier markets when risk appetite returns?
13 Apr 2016
Real estate to drive GCC issuances ahead of World Cup, Expo 2020 Dubai
Qatari real estate heavyweight Ezdan Holding Group announced plans to raise up to US$2bn in Islamic bonds. The move could be a sign of more issuances from real estate firms to come, according to fixed income analysts.
12 Apr 2016
Uncovering Egypt’s covered bonds
The introduction of covered bonds in Egypt will likely boost foreign participation in an economy that has seen heavy underinvestment in recent years.
8 Apr 2016
Iran issues debut ijara sukuk
In an effort to diversify its sources of funding and relieve the pressure on the local banking system, the Iranian government has launched a sukuk, a positive step forward for the global sukuk markets.
4 Apr 2016
CASE STUDY: Financing Royal Jordanian Airline’s big ambitions
Royal Jordanian Airlines’ (RJ) US$275mn dual conventional and Islamic syndicated facility is a testament to the statement ‘timing is everything’. The deal helped RJ restructure its balance sheet following the Arab Spring and soak up regional liquidity at a time of dwindling oil prices.
4 Apr 2016
Jordan to issue debut sovereign sukuk in Q2
After a number of false starts, the Jordanian government may finally issue a sovereign sukuk. The Islamic bond, if it is issued, will likely prove popular not just as a result of the general popularity of this type of financing, but also because it will be the sovereign’s first.
30 Mar 2016