IslamicFinance.de

Dubai-based asset manager Shuaa Capital has launched three new sharia-compliant funds on the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The open-ended funds – Shuaa High Yield Sukuk Fund, Nujoom Aggressive Fund and Nujoom Balanced Fund – are backed by US$75 million in capital. Shuaa Capital is targeting long-term institutional investors including pension funds and insurers and will offer the funds via the Allfunds Bank platform. According to Shuaa Capital chief executive, Jassim Alseddiqi, the supply of sharia funds still lags the demand among investors.

Dubai-based real estate developer The First Group plans to issue $135 million in sukuk. The developer has appointed investment bank Shuaa Capital to arrange the planned transaction. The First Group specialises in hotel investments. It has completed 11 projects in the UAE to date and has seven hospitality developments under construction. This issuance is one of few debt issues in the pipeline in the Gulf region after business slowed sharply during the holy month of Ramadan, which ended last week.

Shuaa Capital announced the establishment of Saudi-based Gulf Installments Company, which focuses on providing installment and lease financing to businesses across a variety of sectors and assets. Lease periods are available from 1 to 4 years and can be tailored to suit the needs of each individual client based on the term, down payment and rental plan. David Hunt was appointed CEO of Gulf Installments Company which will be operated by Gulf Finance under a management contract with Shuaa.

Gulf Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of SHUAA Capital, is launching a new specialist division called Gulf Finance Medical Leasing (GFML) that will offer operating leases for medical equipment to the UAE healthcare sector. The equipment can be leased on a monthly fee basis usually for three years at which juncture it can be returned, purchased or upgraded for new equipment. GFML is the first business of its type in the GCC and is planning to address significant market opportunities across the region.

In a recent announcement SHUAA Capital made known that its wholly-owned subsidiary - Gulf Finance Corporation - has engaged with the UAE Central Bank for a license which shall serve to establish an Islamic Window for some of its financing activities. The plans of Gulf Finance include the submission of the necessary applications in the first quarter of 2013. It is expected to be market-ready in the spring of 2013, subject to regulatory approvals. The proposed programme to offer Islamic financial services is consistent with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He recently explained the necessity to establish a platform of Islamic economic products and services aiming to grow the Islamic economy.

SHUAA Capital and National Bonds Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a strategic alliance.
SHUAA Capital will provide financial advisory, brokerage, and investment management services to National Bonds Corporation in the UAE and the broader Middle East and North Africa region. Both alliances will launch a number of initiatives to develop their respective customer bases and further National Bonds's mission of promoting a culture of savings in the UAE and wider GCC.

The five-year loan was used to fund Dubai Group's acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in Bank Islam Malaysia.
Dubai Group has stakes in Dubai-based investment bank Shuaa Capital, Greek group Marfin Investment Group and Australia's Citigold Corp.