Listing underlines exchange's success in attracting international issuers

Capital raised will support China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative

Dubai, July 1, 2015

Tian Jun, General Manager, Bank of China Abu Dhabi Branch, today rang the market-opening bell to celebrate the listing of a two billion renminbi (CNY) (322 million US dollar) bond on Nasdaq Dubai.

The listing underlines the exchange's success in attracting securities from Chinese and other international issuers seeking a high-visibility listing in the Middle East. Bank of China will use the capital raised to support cross-border trade and infrastructure activities linking various regions of the globe under China's 'One Belt, One Road' strategy.

The bell ceremony took place in the presence of His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Chairman of Dubai Financial Market (DFM); Her Excellency Li Lingbing, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Dubai; and Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, Chairman of Nasdaq Dubai.

The two billion renminbi (CNY) issuance was one of a tranche of bond issues made last month by Bank of China.

Tian Jun, General Manager, Bank of China Abu Dhabi Branch said: "If you connect the five branches chosen as issuers -- Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Hungary --they represent the new Silk Road. It clearly illustrates the main purpose of this issue, and that is, to boost financial and trade ties China and 65 countries alongside the Belt and the Road. The successful listing on Nasdaq Dubai shows international investors' confidence in the huge opportunities that our Belt and Road initiative brings to UAE."

His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC and Chairman of DFM, said: "As Dubai expands its role as an important centre for Chinese financial institutions, we welcome Bank of China's growing engagement with our capital markets infrastructure. Dubai will further strengthen its leadership position in linking the Middle East's financial markets to China and other markets for the mutual benefit of all."

Bank of China successfully raised the equivalent of about four billion U.S. dollars from the international bond markets from its tranche of bond issues. The multi-currency bonds consist of four currencies comprising renminbi (CNY), Singapore dollars, US dollars and euros, ranging from 2-15 years, and are the first bonds ever issued in support of China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative.

 Under this initiative, China aims to create a modern Silk Road to improve its connections to Europe and the Middle East. Projects under the plan include railways, highways, pipelines, power grids, and other infrastructure links.

Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, Chairman of Nasdaq Dubai, said: "Nasdaq Dubai is positioned to promote the capital-raising needs of a growing number of Chinese and other international companies. By facilitating financial markets activity, we are committed to promoting the growth of economic and entrepreneurial initiatives carried out by a range of companies and businesses."

The total nominal value of all conventional bonds listed on Dubai's exchanges has reached 11.64 billion US dollars, the largest total of any exchange in the region.

Hamed Ali, Chief Executive of Nasdaq Dubai, said: "The exchange will further strengthen its close links with international and regional investors in order to enhance the services that we provide for Bank of China and other issuers. The exchange is well placed to support the rapidly growing activities of a range of Chinese businesses active in diverse industry sectors."

-Ends-

About Nasdaq Dubai
Nasdaq Dubai is the international financial exchange serving the region between Western Europe and East Asia. It welcomes regional as well as global issuers that seek regional and international investment. The exchange currently lists shares, derivatives, Sukuk (Islamic bonds), conventional bonds and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS).

The majority shareholder of Nasdaq Dubai is Dubai Financial Market with a two-thirds stake. Borse Dubai owns one third of the shares. The regulator of Nasdaq Dubai is the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Nasdaq Dubai is located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

About Bank of China
Established in 1912, Bank of China is China's most international and diversified bank, the Bank provides a comprehensive range of financial services to customers across its branches , subsidiaries and offices in 42 countries. The Bank's core business is commercial banking, including corporate banking, personal banking and financial markets services. In August 2004, Bank of China Limited was incorporated. The Bank was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Shanghai Stock Exchange in June and July 2006 respectively, becoming the first Chinese commercial bank to launch an A-Share and H-Share initial public offering and achieve a dual listing in both markets. In 2014, Bank of China was enrolled again as a Global Systemically Important Financial Institutions, becoming the sole financial institution from emerging economies to be enrolled for four consecutive years.

Licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a wholesale branch, the Bank of China Abu Dhabi Branch started it operation in Jan 2015. The branch provides corporate and institutional banking services in 9 major currencies including RMB, AED and USD.

© Press Release 2015