GDMO Launches International Media Briefing Series Featuring Hamed Ali on Dubai’s Capital Market Transformation
Dubai: The Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) has initiated a new International Media Briefing series aimed at providing prominent global media outlets with insights into the vision and initiatives shaping Dubai’s future. This series will facilitate discussions with key leaders responsible for the development of essential sectors within the emirate.
The inaugural session spotlighted Hamed Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Nasdaq Dubai. He engaged with international media representatives to discuss the evolution of Dubai’s capital markets and the long-term strategies that are propelling the emirate’s emergence as a global financial hub.
Insights from Hamed Ali on Capital Market Development
During the session, Hamed Ali reviewed the performance metrics of both DFM, the primary equity exchange in Dubai, and Nasdaq Dubai, which specializes in global listings and fixed-income instruments. Each exchange caters to a distinct group of issuers, contributing to the overall diversification of Dubai’s financial landscape.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, emphasized that the International Media Briefing series aims to foster meaningful dialogue. She stated that it provides a platform for international media to engage directly with leaders shaping Dubai’s development, allowing for a deeper understanding of the strategies driving the emirate’s progress.
Long-Term Strategies for Growth
Hamed Ali elaborated on Dubai’s long-term approach to capital market development, underscoring the significance of regulatory innovation, robust market infrastructure, and sustained investor confidence. He highlighted that these elements are crucial for fostering growth in the financial sector.
The discussion also delved into Dubai’s initiatives to broaden market participation. Hamed Ali pointed out the importance of innovation and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of Dubai’s financial markets.
Market Performance and Capital Raising
Hamed Ali noted the remarkable transformation of Dubai’s capital markets, revealing that the DFM’s market capitalization has exceeded AED1 trillion, marking a 191% increase since 2020. The DFM General Index experienced a growth of 17.2% in 2025, with an average daily trading value surpassing AED1 billion.
Over the past four years, DFM has facilitated AED47 billion in capital raising through 12 initial public offerings, attracting AED1.3 trillion in investor demand and welcoming over 465,000 new investors.
Introduction of Arena Platform
Hamed Ali introduced Arena, DFM’s next-generation capital-raising platform designed to bolster Dubai’s private capital ecosystem. This platform aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and high-growth companies by enhancing liquidity for private investors and connecting issuers with DFM’s extensive investor base of more than 1.2 million.
By broadening access to capital and strengthening ties between businesses and investors, Arena is positioned to accelerate the emergence of the next generation of high-growth companies and potential unicorns.
Nasdaq Dubai’s Fixed-Income Listings
Turning to Nasdaq Dubai, Hamed Ali reported that the exchange has recorded 33 new fixed-income listings valued at US$13.8 billion since the start of 2026, with international issuers accounting for 40% of these listings. The total outstanding value of sukuk listed on the exchange stands at US$98.6 billion, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a leading global center for sukuk and debt capital markets.
He also highlighted the success of the Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme, the UAE’s first sovereign sukuk aimed at retail investors. The inaugural issuance was increased from AED50 million to AED100 million due to strong investor demand, attracting AED445 million in subscription requests across 18,422 applications. The programme is now listed on Nasdaq Dubai and is actively trading on the secondary market.
Commitment to Building Confidence
Hamed Ali stated that every initiative undertaken is guided by a long-term vision to create a deeper, more dynamic, and accessible capital market. He emphasized that markets are built on confidence, which is cultivated through transparency, innovation, and consistent execution. His commitment is to ensure that Dubai continues to provide a platform where businesses can thrive, investors can engage confidently, and capital can flow efficiently.
Hend Fekri, Director of Strategic Media Relations at the Government of Dubai Media Office, remarked that this initiative aims to create a platform for international media to gain firsthand insights from leaders in Dubai’s key sectors. These discussions are expected to foster lasting relationships and enhance the understanding of Dubai’s ongoing development.
The International Media Briefing series will continue throughout the year as part of GDMO’s efforts to strengthen engagement with international media, facilitating informed conversations with senior government officials and industry leaders.
As reported by www.emirates247.com.
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Published on 2026-07-08 21:25:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk