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1. How is Boursa Kuwait keeping up with the new developments and improvements of the capital market?
- Our Market Development plan is in its third phase, which includes the introduction of
products like real estate investment trusts (REITs), short selling and SLBs, security swaps
and tender offers. We’re constantly building on that and making sure we meet the highest
international standards and best in class practices to satisfy the needs of our issuer and
investor bases. Our commitment to raising the standards of the Kuwaiti capital market,
which has recently seen upgrades in both the FTSE Russell and S&P Dow Jones indices, is a further indictment of our commitment to excellence.
2. How has Boursa Kuwait improved its standing in the global investment community?
- We have been working with partners from across the capital markets community, locally
and abroad, to introduce new products and services. Additionally, Boursa Kuwait’s
continuous pursuit of international recognition, accreditation and upgrades from
international credit ratings agencies and indices providers, such as MSCI or FTSE
Russell and S&P Dow Jones, entails compliance with global transparency standards.
Boursa Kuwait has also been active with regional and international roadshows and
corporate days, raising awareness about emerging investment opportunities in the
Kuwaiti capital market while showcasing its attractive and diverse issuer base as well as
the recent milestones in its market development journey.
3. In what ways can Boursa Kuwait encourage further diversification of issuers and local
investors?
Boursa Kuwait is keen to diversify and develop its product portfolio in line with
international standards, taking solid steps towards continuously introducing new
products and services that address market and investor needs as well as reflecting the
pace at which Boursa Kuwait is operating and rolling out its market developments and
elevating market offerings. Driven by its market development strategy, the stock
exchange is focused on infrastructural upgrades, regulatory reforms and the
diversification of offerings in a bid to improve the business environment, and expand its
issuer and investor bases.
Changes in listing requirements have helped encourage more companies to list. The free
float amount is now a fixed number, which aims to solve the previously ‘unattractive’
issuers’ base for family businesses and government entities, while the increase of total
shareholders helps address liquidity. New requirements for profitability, whereby listed
companies no longer need to show 5% of paid-up capital or 75% revenue from the
operation, just proof of operations from certified auditors, gave market participants the
opportunity to invest in newly established companies and startups.
4. What are the next steps for Boursa Kuwait and the development of the Kuwaiti capital
market?
Phases 3.2 and 4 of our Market Development plan, which we hope to launch in the next
few years, and are working with our partners in the Capital Markets Authority and the
Kuwait Clearing Company to finalize, will feature derivatives. Over the past few years, we
have made a substantial difference at the company and we continue to pioneer this journey of
growth and raise the profile of the stock market regionally and internationally. We are constantly
expanding our portfolio with products and services such as intentional crossing orders and
omnibus accounts and offering more promising investment opportunities to increase market
liquidity. At Boursa Kuwait, we strive to contribute to the development of Kuwait's economy and
participate in the achievement of the country's development goals.
Interview with the CEo of Boursa Kuwait
Mr. Mohammad Saud Al-Osaimi
Over the past few years, we
have made a substantial difference at the company and we continue to pioneer this journey of growth and raise the profile of the stock market regionally and internationally.
At Boursa Kuwait, we strive to contribute to the development of Kuwait's economy and
participate in the achievement of the country's development goals.