The most authoritative review of the UAE capital’s financial sector is underway following a tie up between The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), the capital’s number one bank and Oxford Business Group (OBG), the publisher of the world’s most insightful business intelligence guides.
Working together with NBAD, OBG will produce an essential review of the emirate’s capital markets sector for inclusion in its ‘Abu Dhabi 2007: The Report’ guide, the successor to the internationally acclaimed ‘Emerging Abu Dhabi’.
Michael Tomalin, CEO of NBAD, believes that the research partnership with OBG comes at a time when the capital’s financial industry is subject to an enormous momentum for reform and critical, timely analysis will be key to stakeholders making informed decisions.
“The pace of change in the sector is rapid with organisations looking at the need to attract institutional investors, and to develop electronic links and dual listings with other regional and international markets. All of this is at a time when increased regulation and the recent downturn in the market have created a level of uncertainty and a need for businesses and investors to take stock and really understand the implications of these changes.”
Such changes provide optimism that despite 2006 being a tough year for the markets, conditions are conducive for growth in 2007, particularly in foreign investment. “Forty per cent of the investors on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADSM) are from outside of the UAE, but with the initiatives that the ADSM is taking to build relationships with regional and international markets as well as the strong economic growth witnessed in the capital, this figure is sure to rise. We expect through our analysis to see a growing maturity in the market,” says Patrick Wrigley, Editorial Manager, OBG.
The partnership underscores OBG’s commitment to co-operating with locally-based institutions in compiling its signature series of top level country economic and political assessments. OBG’s hallmark of unrivalled market intelligence combines the publisher’s international expertise with on-the-ground knowledge of world class, locally-based institutions.
“We recognise the value of our partnership with a professional sector leader and believe that the link allows our partners to enhance their brand name internationally as our annuals are considered to be among the most prestigious economic intelligence publications available,” explains Tatjana Marinko, Abu Dhabi Director, OBG.
“This informed partnership will deliver a report of world-class standing which will go a long way to ensuring the success of Abu Dhabi 2007: The Report.”
Written by a team of international analysts based on the ground for six months, the 230-page research-based book is widely anticipated with forward subscriptions up 10% on last year’s inaugural edition and a projected world wide distribution of over 75,000.
‘Abu Dhabi 2007: The Report’ will be available in the second quarter of next year.
About Oxford Business Group
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a UK-based publishing, research and consultancy services organisation. OBG publishes economic and political intelligence on the markets of The Middle East, Eastern Europe, North and South Africa, and Asia. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of political, macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.
Written by a team of seasoned analysts, based on the ground for six months, the critically acclaimed series of economic, political and business reports have become the leading source of intelligence on the rapidly developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG’s online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) was incorporated in 1968 to serve as a banker to the United Arab Emirates Government and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It also fulfilled the role of the Central Bank until 1973. It has continued to play a major role in the development of the UAE as one of its leading commercial & investment banks. Today, we are the nation’s Number One Bank.
The Bank is organized into three client-focused businesses: Domestic Bank offering corporate, retail, private and elite banking services. Investment Bank is arranged into five business lines: Treasury, Asset Management, Abu Dhabi Financial Services (the country’s largest local stockbroker), Corporate Finance, and Investment Marketing. International Business is organized into 4 operations: Europe & USA; the Middle East with representation in Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Sudan; Financial Institutions Group; and the Abu Dhabi International Group.
The Bank is completing the formalities for setting up two fully owned subsidiaries for its Islamic business in UAE and private banking in Switzerland.
For further information: Sonia Larsen, MCS/Action, and PO Box 20970, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +9714 390 2960; fax: +9714 390 8161, email: sonia.l@actionprgroup.com.
