Strategic initiative to raise the profile of the Kuwaiti capital market to the international investment community

Boursa Kuwait and KCC collaborate to organize a non-deal roadshow in London with Jefferies Financial Group

London, October 26, 2023: As part of its efforts to support the Kuwaiti capital market and in a strategic initiative to improve its standing in the international investment community, Boursa Kuwait and the Kuwait Clearing Company (KCC) collaborated with Jefferies Financial Group, a world-renowned global investment banking and capital markets institution, to organize a non-deal roadshow held in the UK capital of London from October 23 to 25, 2023.

The London roadshow presented a unique opportunity for Boursa Kuwait and KCC to engage in one-on-one discussions with prominent investment management firms and advisories. The aim was to spotlight the latest updates of the Kuwaiti capital market, its investment opportunities and the latest products and services it offers to institutional investors, including the developments in the central counterparty system (CCP) and the upcoming launch of the fixed-income platforms. The roadshow also gave the companies an opportunity to exchange ideas and viewpoints and receive feedback about their perception of the Kuwaiti capital market and what they require from it.

"Kuwait plays a pivotal role in attracting institutional investors to the capital markets of the region, and we are constantly looking to build strong and sustainable relationships with the international investment community, keeping them updated about the latest developments in the market and what it has to offer in terms of opportunities as well as products and services that fulfill their needs,” said Boursa Kuwait Head of Markets Sector Noura Omar Al-Abdulkareem.

She added, “During this roadshow we had a series of meetings with global investment management organizations, listening to their comments and experiences in the Kuwaiti capital market. We’ve also received feedback about their perception of our market and what they require from it. We will continue working to adopt some of these requirements in ways that benefit both the market and its participants.”

Boursa Kuwait and the KCC also made an exhaustive presentation about their achievements in the past few months, which included a series of stress tests to the CCP system to ensure its ability to adapt to the system and that brokerage firms can fulfill its settlement requirements with the Central Bank of Kuwait as well as with local banks. Additionally, Boursa Kuwait is also working on launching several products like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and a platform for bonds and sukuk, to be launched simultaneously with the CCP.?

Boursa Kuwait and the KCC play a pivotal role in the development of the Kuwaiti capital market and the diversification of the national economy and have remained steadfast in their dedication to establishing a transparent, efficient and advanced exchange platform, which has led to the creation of a liquid capital market. Boursa Kuwait and the KCC's unwavering commitment to promoting the Kuwaiti capital market and its participants through a series of Roadshows and Corporate Days has also helped provide prospective institutional investors worldwide with profound insights into the market's opportunities.

Since Boursa Kuwait took over operations of the Kuwaiti stock exchange, the Kuwaiti capital market has undergone unprecedented development thanks to the diligent efforts of the capital market apparatus. Their focus on empowering participants and raising standards has resulted in several key initiatives, including the diversification of products and services, establishing an appealing investment platform, expanding the issuer base, and adapting rules and regulations to meet market demands.

The apparatus has also significantly enhanced the market's infrastructure and fostered an attractive investment environment, which resulted in the Kuwaiti capital market’s reclassification to an Emerging Market by three prominent global index providers, and solidified Kuwait's position as a leading financial center in the region.