Dubai, January 22, 2013 - For the first time the Dubai Mercantile Exchange's flagship crude oil futures contract, DME Oman, is to be included in a new US-based commodities fund which will give investors exposure to Asia's rapidly growing demand for raw materials.  The inclusion of DME Oman in the United States Asian Commodities Basket Fund ("USACBF") recognizes the critical benchmarking role DME is playing in the expansion of the East of Suez markets, providing transparent price discovery and reflecting the economics of the Asian region like no other crude oil futures contract.

DME's Chief Executive, Chris Fix said:

"DME Oman's inclusion in, we believe, its first fund is a significant milestone and ringing endorsement of the relevance of DME to the growth of the Asian oil market.  Like us, this fund is betting on the rapid growth of crude oil consumption in countries like China and India and I feel certain that over time other funds will follow the lead this launch sets.   

"We're already seeing 40% of the crude oil traded on the DME going to China and are confident that as our market matures, volumes will continue to build, aided by DME Oman's inclusion in more Exchange Traded Funds.

"This fund being listed in the US will make trading in DME Oman truly global like never before, opening up access to the US investor community for the first time".

The USACBF will be listed on NYSE Arca Inc. and own futures in those commodities where China, Japan and India combined account for at least 10 percent of global demand and are likely to be net importers.

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About DME
DME is the premier international energy futures and commodities exchange in the Middle East. It aims to provide oil producers, traders and consumers engaged in the East of Suez markets with transparent pricing of crude oil.

Launched in 2007, DME has rapidly grown into a globally relevant exchange. Its flagship Oman Crude Oil Futures Contract (DME Oman) contract is now firmly established as the most credible crude oil benchmark relevant to the rapidly growing East of Suez market. Reflecting the economics of the Asian region like no other contract, and the largest physically delivered crude oil futures contract in the world, DME Oman is the world's third crude oil benchmark and the sole benchmark for Oman and Dubai exported crude oil. 

DME is a fully electronic exchange, accessible from 26 jurisdictions, including London, Singapore and the US. The Exchange is located within the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), a financial free zone designed to promote financial services within the UAE. The DME is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority and all trades executed on the DME are cleared through and guaranteed by CME Clearing.

DME is a joint venture between Dubai Holding, Oman Investment Fund and CME Group. Global financial institutions and energy trading firms including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Shell, Vitol and Concord Energy also hold equity stakes in the DME. www.dubaimerc.com

Media Contacts
DME
Heather Astbury, Director Corporate Communications
+971 506523754 (mobile)
heather.astbury@dubaimerc.com

TRACCS (PR agency)
Walid Majzoub
+9714 3672530
walid.majzoub@traccs.net
TRACCS 24/7 Media Hotline: +97150 944838

© Press Release 2013