ABU DHABI - Abu Dhabi Global Market, ADGM, has announced the establishment of the first Chinese state-owned financial services firm in ADGM to provide strategic investment and financial support to Chinese enterprises as part of the Belt-and-Road initiative.

This follows from the signing of the framework agreement between the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone (‘the Demonstration Zone’ led by the Jiangsu Provincial Government) and ADGM to further strengthen China-UAE economic ties and advance mutually beneficial collaborations. The agreement was exchanged in the presence of President Xi Jinping of China and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The agreement was signed by Bin Wang, Chairman of China Jiangsu International and Ahmed Al Sayegh, Chairman of ADGM in Abu Dhabi.

The state-owned financial services firm, known as the Industrial Capacity Cooperation Financial Group Limited, ICCFG, is the first of such Chinese financial services firm to be approved by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of ADGM, to conduct the regulated activities of providing and arranging credit via the ADGM platform.

The ICCFG will play a critical role in promoting the Demonstration Zone and providing efficient lending facilities to support the investment and financial needs of Chinese enterprises established in the Zone located in the Khalifa Industrial Zone of Abu Dhabi, KIZAD.

The ICCFG in ADGM aims to offer a comprehensive suite of financial services to support the Demonstration Zone, Belt-and-Road initiative, and Chinese companies expanding in the region. It also seeks to serve as a platform to support the internationalisation of Renminbi for investment and financial projects in the Demonstration Zone.

Commenting on the announcement, Ahmed Al Sayegh said, "Strategically located along the Belt and Road corridor, Abu Dhabi, as the capital of the UAE, is a natural link to fast developing economies of Middle East and Africa region, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Greater China. As part of Abu Dhabi’s economic blueprint, ADGM is honoured to be able to contribute constructively towards the Belt and Road initiative and work closely with our Chinese partners in fulfilling their business goals. The ICCFG will support the anchoring of more Chinese enterprises in Abu Dhabi seeking commercial opportunities along the Belt and Road route including the MENA region. ADGM remains committed in enhancing the cross-border connectivity and creating new opportunities between the two economies." For his part, Bin Wang said, "We are pleased to advance this new cooperation with our important partner, ADGM, and look forward to the operations of the financial services platform by the end of 2018. The Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone plays a key bridge between China serves as a vital bridge between China and Abu Dhabi, and it is a vital measure supporting the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative.

"In the future, we expect about US$2 billion of investment will be managed by this financial services platform to support the Chinese enterprises in the Demonstration Park. With more integrated and comprehensive financial services available, we expect even more Chinese enterprises and companies to establish themselves in the Demonstration Zone, at the same time, to support them in successfully fulfilling their growth and expansion in Abu Dhabi," he added.

The ICCFG intends to scale up its services and presence in other Belt and Road-related industrial capacity zones in the near future. Following the signing of this agreement, ADGM, the Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission and JOCIC will continue to explore and collaborate on mutually beneficial initiatives to facilitate the cooperation between Abu Dhabi and China.

© Copyright 2018 Emirates News Agency (WAM) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Disclaimer: The content of this article is syndicated or provided to this website from an external third party provider. We are not responsible for, and do not control, such external websites, entities, applications or media publishers. The body of the text is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither we nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this article. Read our full disclaimer policy here.