Nasdaq Dubai has announced the listing of three Green Bond issuances totaling $1.72 billion by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC). These bonds were issued under ICBC’s $20 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme from its branches in Dubai (DIFC), Hong Kong, and Singapore.

This move enhances ICBC’s status as the leading Chinese issuer as well as the top RMB-denominated bond issuer on the exchange. To celebrate the successful listing, Zhang Yiming, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the UAE, rang the bell at the market-opening ceremony at Nasdaq Dubai, alongside Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM), and Liu Hua, General Manager of ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch.

Liu Hua expressed that the successful listing of ICBC’s multi-currency carbon neutrality-themed green bonds demonstrates ICBC’s strong confidence and commitment to the UAE capital market. He emphasized that as a pioneer in green financing, ICBC has played a significant role in promoting environmental sustainability, particularly through initiatives aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative. Liu noted that ICBC has a cumulative total of $5.6 billion in outstanding bonds in the UAE, reaffirming its strategic vision for eco-friendly and sustainable global development.

Hamed Ali remarked on the significance of welcoming ICBC’s latest multi-currency Green Bond listings, highlighting the strength of their partnership and the increasing appeal of Dubai’s capital markets for international issuers. He emphasized that these listings reinforce Dubai’s reputation as a trusted global hub for sustainable finance and reflect Nasdaq Dubai’s dedication to offering a transparent and efficient marketplace that supports responsible investment.

Following this new issuance, Nasdaq Dubai’s total debt listings have reached $136 billion, which includes $40 billion in bonds and $17 billion specifically in Green Bonds. The exchange’s ESG-related issuance portfolio now totals $29 billion, further solidifying its leadership in promoting sustainable finance across the region.

In addition to the Green Bonds, Nasdaq Dubai welcomed a $500 million Additional Tier 1 (AT1) Sukuk issued by Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) on Tuesday. These perpetual, non-call six-year AT1 Capital Certificates were issued by SIB Tier 1 Sukuk IIND Ltd and comply with Basel III regulations.

This issuance attracted significant interest from both regional and international investors, enabling Sharjah Islamic Bank to secure additional capital for its long-term growth. With this latest transaction, the bank’s total outstanding on Nasdaq Dubai has now reached $2.5 billion across five listings, further emphasizing Dubai’s strategic importance in enhancing the Islamic capital markets framework.

To commemorate the occasion, Ahmed Saad, DCEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai, alongside Hamed Ali. Saad highlighted that the successful listing of their $500 million perpetual Additional Tier 1 Sukuk represents a significant milestone in the bank’s growth strategy, showcasing strong fundamentals and investor confidence in maintaining a solid capital base.

Hamed Ali added that this listing is not just about raising capital, but also about a broader trend where regional institutions like Sharjah Islamic Bank are advancing local debt markets. He noted that the growing demand for diversified, Shariah-compliant instruments positions Nasdaq Dubai as a dependable platform for innovation in Islamic finance.

With the inclusion of this Sukuk, the total value of Sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai has now reached $95.7 billion, underscoring its stature as one of the world’s largest venues for Islamic fixed-income securities. Overall, Nasdaq Dubai’s debt capital market has exceeded $136 billion across 160 listings, reflecting increasing international confidence in Dubai as a key gateway for capital flows between the Middle East and the global market.