Dubai-UAE: 19 November, 2015

Dubai International Financial Centre Investments (DIFCI), the investment arm of Dubai's leading financial free zone, yesterday won two honours for its US $700 million sukuk at the inaugural Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards.

The DIFCI sukuk received the distinctions in the Investment Grade Bond/Sukuk Deal of the Year and Sovereign/Quasi-Sovereign Financing Deal of the Year categories.

Rajesh Pareek, Chief Financial Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, received the awards at a gala ceremony held at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai, Jumeirah Beach.

The sukuk, issued with a tenor of 10 years at par with a 4.325 per cent profit rate, received strong investor interest and was oversubscribed by 4.3 times. The final order book size was more than US$3 billion.

Commenting on the win, Pareek said: "We are delighted to be recognised for our successful transaction in the debt capital markets. The sukuk validates our strong financial performance this year and will further support the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the capital of the global Islamic economy. We remain committed to our strategy of emerging as a capital markets centre for the region and hope to launch similar transactions in the future."

Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, Noor Bank and Standard Chartered Bank acted as joint lead managers on the issuance.

The Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East 2015 Awards brought together bankers, lead issuers and key investors from the region and highlighted their achievements and excellence in the Middle Eastern bonds, syndicated loans and sukuk markets

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About Dubai International Financial Centre
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, providing a world-class platform connecting the region's markets with the economies of Europe, Asia and the Americas. It also facilitates the growth in South-South trade and investment. An onshore, international financial centre, DIFC provides a stable, mature and secure base for financial institutions to develop their wholesale businesses.

The Centre offers all the elements found in the world's most successful financial industry ecosystems, including an independent regulator, an independent judicial system with a common-law framework, a global financial exchange, inspiring architecture, powerful, enabling support services and a vibrant business community. The infrastructure within the district features ultra-modern office space, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, art galleries, residential apartments, public green areas and hotels.

Located midway between the global financial centres of New York, London in the West and Singapore, Hong Kong in the East, DIFC (GMT +4) fills a vital time-zone gap with a workday that bridges the market and business hours of financial centres in both Asia and North America.

Currently, more than 1,327 active registered companies operate from the Centre, including 21 of the world's top 25 banks, 11 of the world's top 20 money managers, 7 of the top 10 insurance companies, and 9 of the top 10 law firms. 18,521 people work in the Centre.

DIFC continues to pursue expansion into new services and sectors within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, an area comprising over 72 countries with an approximate population of 3.0 billion and nominal GDP of US$7.9 trillion.

For further information, please visit our website: www.difc.ae, or follow us on Twitter @DIFC.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Suzanne Samaan
Head of Media Relations
APCO Worldwide
Mobile:   +971 55 9548682
Email:    ssamaan@apcoworldwide.co

Hajar Al Ktebi
Assistant Vice President - Corporate Communications & Public relations
Dubai International Financial Centre
T: +971 4 362 2440
Email: Hajar.AlKtebi@difc.ae

© Press Release 2015