The UAE Ministry of Finance has announced the listing and start of secondary market trading for the country’s first Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme on Nasdaq Dubai, following the successful completion of its first issuance for individual investors.
The listing was marked by an opening bell ceremony at Nasdaq Dubai attended by H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, H.E. Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market, along with senior government officials, banking partners and members of the media.
Investor demand
The first issuance attracted subscription requests worth Dhs445 million, nearly nine times the original target of Dhs50 million. Following the strong demand, the Ministry of Finance increased the issuance size to Dhs100 million.
Retail investors subscribing up to Dhs10,000 made up 76 per cent of all subscribers, while UAE nationals accounted for 72 per cent of the investor base.
The ministry said investors under the age of 25 and women together represented 45 per cent of subscribers, highlighting broad participation across different groups.
Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said: “The UAE continues to advance a resilient and inclusive economic model built on a sophisticated financial and legislative infrastructure that aligns with the highest international standards. The listing of the country’s inaugural Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme reflects the Ministry’s strategic vision to strengthen the efficiency of domestic capital markets and diversify sovereign funding sources, ensuring sustainable financial resources while providing highly secure investment solutions that reinforce the UAE’s long-term financial stability.”
He added: “The exceptional investor demand for the inaugural offering, which exceeded expectations and achieved record levels of oversubscription, reflects the growing financial and investment awareness among members of society. It also demonstrates the programme’s success in broadening participation in government investment instruments and advancing financial inclusion by providing secure and trusted investment opportunities for all segments of society.”
He concluded: “This issuance represents an important strategic instrument for deepening the integration between fiscal policy and the country’s key economic sectors by mobilising national capital and directing it towards initiatives that support comprehensive and sustainable development. The Ministry of Finance remains committed to fostering an enabling environment for financial innovation through close collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE and the country’s financial markets, further strengthening the UAE’s global competitiveness as a leading and sustainable financial centre offering trusted saving and investment opportunities that meet the aspirations of all segments of society.”
Media briefing
Following the opening bell ceremony, the Ministry of Finance held a media briefing, where H.E. Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, described the listing of the inaugural Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme on Nasdaq Dubai as a significant milestone in supporting a more sustainable economy and creating opportunities for individuals to contribute to the UAE’s economic growth.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
