UAE enhancing its status as top economic powerhouse in Mena

Charlie Walker, Deputy CEO of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), stated that the UAE is enhancing its status as a leading economic powerhouse in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region through its significant role in the bond issuance market with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).

“The UAE continues to drive economic growth in the region through its innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, leveraging its advanced infrastructure and thriving capital markets,” 

Walker said in a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during his visit to Abu Dhabi. He emphasised that the UAE is reinforcing its position as a regional and global economic powerhouse, contributing significantly to global economic transformation.

He added that the UAE accounts for about 39 percent of the total bond issuances in the region, reflecting its ability to attract the capital needed to finance important strategic projects. He added that the UAE has completed 37 bond issues worth a total of US$18.51 billion since the beginning of this year, leading the issuance of debt instruments in the Middle East and Africa.

Walker pointed out that this success was not a coincidence, but the result of strong government policies and strategic cooperation with global entities such as the LSEG, which provides an ideal platform for UAE companies and government entities to access global capital markets.

“The partnership between the LSEG and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) is a strategic move to strengthen the financial infrastructure in the UAE and the wider region,” he said, adding that the FTSE ADX index series provides investors with a reliable benchmark to track the performance of Abu Dhabi’s key sectors, allowing them to make well-informed investment decisions.

The launch of the FTSE ADX ESG Index reflects the UAE’s commitment to promoting responsible investment practices, as it provides tools for investors to align their portfolios with global environmental and social governance objectives.