Boursa Kuwait discusses achievements and growth prospects with investors at EFG Hermes One-on-One Conference in Dubai

As part of its ongoing and dedicated efforts to engage with local and international investors and raise awareness of the opportunities in the Kuwaiti capital market, Boursa Kuwait participated in the 17th Annual EFG Hermes One-on-One Conference in Dubai. The company held multiple meetings with representatives from financial asset management firms and investment banks and companies from across the region and the globe, shedding light on its performance and track record and providing the latest development on its Market Development plans. Prospective institutional investors showed interest in learning more about Boursa Kuwait’s operational model, financial health and outlook during the discussions. 

Organized by EFG Hermes Holding, the leading investment bank franchise in Frontier and Emerging Markets (FEM), the conference gathered senior government officials, regional business leaders, investors, and listed companies. The four-day event, held from March 6-9, saw 179 companies operating in various key sectors across 29 countries hold direct meetings with over 561 institutional investors and fund managers representing 247 international institutions. The discussions centered around opportunities and key trends impacting equity and debt markets in Frontier and Emerging Markets. 

“Boursa Kuwait was able to deliver exceptional financial results, with an increase in profit by 13.3% in 2022, from KD 15.9 million to KD 18 million, despite the uncertain times the world is experiencing, which can be attributed to the tumultuous effects of various macroeconomic factors, the impact of which was more prevalent during the second half of last year. Our participation in this conference enabled us to highlight our strong financial performance as well as have in-depth discussions with stakeholders about our company and exchange insights on the outlook of the economy. It was also an excellent platform to explain and update prospective investors about the latest developments in the Kuwaiti capital market," said Boursa Kuwait’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Naim Azad Din.

Boursa Kuwait witnessed the first listing of a family-owned business, Ali Alghanim Sons Automotive Company, in June last year, and has reached out to several state-owned entities and family businesses who have shown a willingness to list in the future. The company continues to promote the advantages of listing among many companies in Kuwait and across the region, in hopes of making the Kuwaiti capital market more attractive to prospective investors from around the world. 

Boursa Kuwait’s series of Roadshows and Corporate Days showcases some of the standout listed companies and the investment opportunities that reside in the Kuwaiti capital market. Putting these companies in touch with some of the world’s leading investment firms and financial institutions, the events aim to highlight these companies’ financial health and business strategies and outlooks, which help investors gain an in-depth understanding of the benefits and opportunities of investing in Kuwaiti companies.

In 2022, Boursa Kuwait organized two Corporate Days in partnership with EFG Hermes and HSBC. Its 8th Corporate Day, organized in May in collaboration with EFG Hermes, saw the participation of 13 Kuwaiti companies and more than 175 international investors from over 95 institutions (managing a total of USD 2 trillion in AUMs). It also hosted a Corporate Day in London in June, in collaboration with HSBC, bringing together eight companies listed in the “Premier” Market and 36 world-renowned financial asset management firms and investment banks and companies, who conducted 126 meetings between them. In addition, Boursa Kuwait participated in the 16th Annual EFG Hermes One-on-One Conference in Dubai last year, meeting with several international financial asset management funds and investment companies.

Since its inception, Boursa Kuwait has worked diligently to create a thriving capital market that attracts local and foreign investors through a broad spectrum of new products and services, infrastructure upgrades, and market reform initiatives, as part of its multi-phase Market Development plans. 

The company was fully privatized in 2019, the first government entity in the country to successfully undergo the process, bringing about greater levels of efficiency. Boursa Kuwait also self-listed in September 2020 and has made great strides in sustaining its operations and business continuity in the face of uncertainties and challenges.