IslamicFinance.de

Dear Readers,

some background on the standstill:

Sukuk prospectus of the related Nakheel entity:
http://blogs.thenational.ae/economy_blog/Nakheel%20Development%201%20Pro...

citation:
"Risks Relating to the Co-Obligors and the Co-Obligor Group Strategy

The growth strategy of the Co-Obligor Group is based on certain assumptions relating to, inter alia,
economic conditions, market for real estate and demographic conditions in Dubai. [...] This could, for example, have an impact on the rental income, sales proceeds or other income (such as management fees) available to the Co-Obligor Group and the value of its projects, which could affect its ability to make payments under he Transaction Documents."

and the issue of implicit sovereign support was nicely discussed in a blog:
http://blogs.thenational.ae/economy_blog/2009/08/nakheels-bond-prospectu...

The rational behind is explained by a rating agency here in 2007:
http://www2.standardandpoors.com/spf/pdf/media/sp_approach_to_sukuk_17-s...

"from its parent also benefited from strong implicit government support."

Press Release

Several Dubai Government-Related Entities Downgraded And On Watch Negative Following
Debt Restructuring Announcement

DUBAI (Standard & Poor's) Nov. 25, 2009--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it
had taken rating actions on a number of Dubai-based government related entities
(GREs) and transactions (for full details see "Ratings List" below). Standard &
Poor's has downgraded DIFC Investments LLC, DP World Ltd., Jebel Ali Free Zone
(FZE), Dubai Holding Commercial Operations Group LLC (DHCOG), and Emaar Properties
PJSC. All of these entities have been placed on CreditWatch with negative
implications. The ratings on Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC) were
affirmed, although they were placed on CreditWatch negative. A CreditWatch negative
placement also applies to the notes issued by Thor Asset Purchase (Cayman) Ltd.
(Thor), which are securitized by cash flows from a revolving pool of existing and
future receivables originated by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA; not
rated).

The rating actions are the result of the announcement on Nov. 25 of the

Dubai World, a conglomerate owned by the government of Dubai, is asking its creditors for a six-month “standstill” on its obligations. Dubai World includes Nakheel, which has USD 4 bn in outstanding Islamic debt falling due next month.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the multilateral development bank, will list a USD 100 mn 5-year Sukuk in Dubai and Bahrain. The IFC plans to return to the market with new issuances every 12 months to 18 months.

Press Release

DUBAI, October 15, 2009--A report published today by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services answers questions related to its view on the likelihood of extraordinary government support for Dubai-based government related entities (GREs), and what factors may affect this in the future (see "What Factors May Affect S&P's View Of The Likelihood Of Extraordinary Government Support For Dubai-Based GREs?").

Specifically, the report answers the following questions:

-- What are Standard & Poor's current expectations regarding the likelihood of extraordinary support from the Government of Dubai for its GREs?
-- What track record does the Government of Dubai have in supporting its GREs?
-- To what extent are the ratings affected by Dubai's challenging debt burden?
-- How might the GRE issuer credit ratings be affected by a restructuring of debt in an unrated GRE?
-- How might the Nakheel repayment affect the GRE issuer credit ratings?
-- Does Standard & Poor's believe the Government of Dubai has the resources to support its GREs?

Press Release of S&P:

We are assigning our preliminary 'AA' rating to TDIC Sukuk Ltd.'s certificates issuance program, under which it can issue up to $1.45 billion certificates (sukuk al-ijara).

The rating is equal to, and is fully reliant on, the rating on Tourism Development and Investment Company.

LONDON, October 1, 2009--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today said it had assigned its preliminary 'AA' rating to TDIC Sukuk Ltd.'s certificates issuance program, under which it can issue up to $1.45 billion certificates (sukuk al-ijara). The rating is equal to, and is fully reliant on, the rating on Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC; AA/Stable/A-1+). The preliminary rating is based on information as of Oct. 1, 2009. Subsequent information may result in the assignment of final ratings that differ from the preliminary ratings.

National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) plans to launch the Middle East’s first exchange-traded fund to try to attract more international investors. The fund, known as an ETF, will be listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in two months, a senior NBAD official said. It will be licensed by a leading global index provider and will track some of the Gulf’s 50 biggest stocks, said Giyas Gokkent, NBAD’s co-head of asset management and chief economist.

Yasaar Human Capital, is launched in the Dubai International Financial Centre, as a specialist executive search and human resources firm working within the Islamic finance sphere. The team behind Yasaar Human Capital focuses on executive search, talent management and advisory.

Majid Dawood is Chief Executive of Yasaar Limited, which is already active in the field of Sharia consultancy and media.

Fuwad Beg is CEO of the new entity, Yasaar Human Capital.

Press Release

Negative Rating Actions Taken On Four Dubai-Based Banks On Expected Asset Quality Deterioration

Standard & Poor's has concluded its review of Dubai-based banks, which has resulted in various negative rating actions.

We are lowering the ratings on Emirates Bank International PJSC, National Bank of Dubai, and Mashreqbank to 'A-/A-2' from 'A/A-1'.

We are lowering the long-term rating on Dubai Islamic Bank to 'BBB+' from 'A-' and affirming the 'A-2' short-term rating.

The negative outlooks on all these banks reflect the deteriorating operating environment in Dubai and the impact we expect it to have on the banks' financial profiles.

AXA has partnered with SALAMA - Islamic Arab Insurance Company to offer Group Life Solutions to AXA’s clients in the UAE.

Amara Holdings, a Dubai investment firm, and New China Trust Company’s subsidiary, Shanghai Ding Hai Investment Management Company, will identify and evaluate Islamic finance investment opportunities in China for themselves and co-investors and clients.

The refinancing of Nakheel’s US$3.5 billion (Dh12.85bn) Sukuk will be of utmost relevance to the credit ratings Moody's has for Dubai entities. Nakheel has not the stand alone capacity to repay the Sukuk reported Paulo Vecina in The National.

Tamweel says that it does not agree with media report rejected a media report saying it needed USD 1.55 bn to restart its financing operations.

Dubai Islamic Bank announced that it has purchased USD 50.6 mn from the partial cash tender offer to retire USD 200 mn of outstanding Sukuk. DIB purchased the certificates at 88 % of the face value.

7Days Dubai reports that one bank faces 2,500 customers leaving per month withou payng off their credit card bills.

The debt market in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) has the potential to grow to $USD 1.6 trillion p.a. but currently remains in its nascent stage, according to economic experts speaking at an event organised by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Debt securities form just 3 % of of the Mena capital markets, while global capital markets have a ratio of 42 %.

Nasser Al Sheikh, Dubai said that it received interest from sovereign wealth funds for the second tranche of the USD 20 bn bond, which will only be issued if needed.

Dubai Islamic Insurance and Reinsurance Co released its Q1 results for 2009 being AED 10 mn, a 68 % increase.

The Dubai Financial Market has finalised comprehensive standards to be established for the issuance of Sukuk and awaiting approval of authorities.

Dubai’s Nakheel receives bail-out cash, but the amount is not disclosed, reported Simeon Kerr in the Financial Times; it is also said that Nakheel was restructuring some payment plans with suppliers.

Contractors say developers such as Nakheel have started to honour some – but not all – payments, after months of delay.