Dubai, UAE, July 15, 2008: A leading UAE company has picked up a top industry award celebrating international achievement in Islamic finance.

Thani Investments LLC received the award for 'Best Sukuk Structure by a Private Corporate Issuer' at the recent 2008 London Sukuk Summit.

Thani Investments became one of the first privately owned companies in the GCC to issue a sukuk when it closed its US$100 million Musharaka Sukuk last October.

David Richards (CBE), Chairman of Aston Martin, presented the award to Thani Investments' CEO, Rishard Camball, during a gala dinner at the prestigious Royal Horseguards Hotel in Whitehall.

Commenting on the award, Abdulla Saeed Al Thani, Chairman of Thani Investments, which has diverse business interests spanning oil and gas, mining and real estate, said: "Thani's debut sukuk was a bold step for a private company, but one that has set an example for the Islamic finance industry to follow. We're delighted to receive further international recognition at such a respected awards ceremony along with many of the region's largest business and financial institutions."

The 2008 London Sukuk Summit was endorsed by the UK Treasury, UK Trade and Investment, City of London Corporation, and the London Stock Exchange.

Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) sponsored the awards dinner, which recognized achievement in a total of 13 industry categories.

Thani Investments' issue of US$100 million in sukuk-al-musharaka certificates was subscribed to by leading regional banks and international financial institutions. Emirates Islamic Bank of the UAE and Liquidity Management Center, Bahrain served as Joint Lead Mandated Arrangers.

Established more than 25 years ago, Thani Investments has built a large international portfolio of companies under the guidance of its chairman, Abdulla Saeed Al Thani, with assets in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The group has more than 600 employees.

Full list of Sukuk Summit Awards of Excellence: 

  • Special Award: Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Global Islamic Finance - The Late Tan Sri Dato' Jaafar Hussein, former Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

  • Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Islamic Capital Markets -HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) 

  • Outstanding Leadership in Islamic Finance - Adnan Al Musallam, Chairman and CEO, Investment Dar

  • Outstanding Contribution to Islamic Finance in the UK - Richard Thomas, Managing Director, Global Securities House, UK

  • Most Innovative Financing Transaction - Etihad Etisalat (Mobily)

  • Most Innovative Sukuk Structure - Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic)

  • Best Sukuk Structure by a Private Corporate Issuer - Thani Investments LLC

  • Best Administrator/Trustee - Global Transaction Banking Trust and Securities, Deutsche Bank AG

  • Best Arrangers of a Sukuk Structure - Barclays Capital and Citigroup

  • Award for Excellence for Shariah Advisory - Sheikh Nizam Yaquby, Shariah scholar

  • Outstanding Contribution to the Islamic Finance Sector - Kuwait Finance House

  • Best International Islamic Finance Centre - Malaysia International Islamic Finance Centre

  • Outstanding Contribution by a Law Firm to Islamic Financial Services - Clifford Chance

    -Ends-

    For further information, please contact:
    Jonathon Tudor                                                                      
    ASDA'A Public Relations                                                        
    Dubai, UAE                                                                             
    Tel: +9714-3344550                                                                  
    Fax: +9714-334456                                                                   
    info@asdaa.com           

    Helen Taylor
    Thani Investments
    Dubai, UAE
    Tel: +9714-3311000
    Fax: +9714-3310778

    • © Press Release 2008