Nasdaq Dubai welcomes ICBC’s $1.72 billion Green Bond listings

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

These issuances further strengthened ICBC’s position as the leading Chinese issuer, as well as the leading RMB denominated bond issuer on the exchange.

To commemorate the successful listing, Zhang Yiming, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the UAE rang the bell at the market-opening ceremony at Nasdaq Dubai in the presence of Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Liu Hua, General Manager of ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch.

Liu Hua, General Manager of ICBC Dubai (DIFC) Branch, said, “The successful listing of ICBC’s multi-currency carbon neutrality-themed green bonds issued by its branches in Dubai (DIFC), Hong Kong, and Singapore on Nasdaq Dubai reflects ICBC’s confidence and commitment to the UAE capital market. As a pioneer in green financing, ICBC has significantly contributed to the environmental sustainability by extending green products, particularly within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. With a cumulative total of $5.6 billion outstanding bonds in the UAE, ICBC reaffirms its strategic foresight and dedication to fostering eco-friendly and sustainable development globally.”

Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and DFM, commented, “We are delighted to welcome ICBC’s latest multi-currency Green Bond listings to Nasdaq Dubai, reflecting the strength of our partnership and the growing appeal of Dubai’s capital markets among international issuers. These listings underscore Dubai’s role as a trusted global hub for sustainable finance and reinforce our commitment to providing a transparent, innovative, and efficient marketplace that supports responsible investment. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ICBC as they expand their ESG footprint globally.”

Following this listing, Nasdaq Dubai’s total debt listings have reached $136 billion, including $40 billion in bonds and $17 billion in Green Bonds. The exchange’s ESG-related issuance portfolio at $29 billion, reaffirms its leadership in advancing sustainable finance across the region and beyond.

Nasdaq Dubai continues to cement its position as a global leader in fixed income listings and a central platform for sustainable investment.

Meanwhile Nasdaq Dubai on Tuesday welcomed the listing of a $500 million Additional Tier 1 (AT1) Sukuk issued by Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB).

The perpetual, non-call six-year AT1 Capital Certificates were issued by SIB Tier 1 Sukuk IIND Ltd and are compliant with Basel III regulations.

The issuance attracted strong interest from both regional and international investors, providing Sharjah Islamic Bank with additional capital to fuel its long-term growth plans.

This latest transaction brings the Bank’s total outstanding on Nasdaq Dubai to $2.5 billion across five listings. It also reinforces Dubai’s strategic role in advancing the Islamic capital markets ecosystem.

To mark the occasion, Ahmed Saad, DCEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, rang the market opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai in the presence of Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

Saad commented, “The successful listing of our $500 million perpetual Additional Tier 1 Sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai marks a significant milestone in Sharjah Islamic Bank’s strategic growth journey. This issuance reflects our strong fundamentals, robust investor confidence, and commitment to maintaining a solid capital base in line with Basel III requirements.”

Ali stated, “This listing reflects more than capital raising -it’s part of a broader shift as regional institutions like Sharjah Islamic Bank lead the deepening of local debt markets. As demand for diversified, Shariah-compliant instruments continues to grow, Nasdaq Dubai is proud to serve as a trusted platform for innovation in Islamic finance.

“The momentum we are seeing in Sukuk issuances signals a maturing financial ecosystem where local ambition meets global capital flows. SIB’s continued engagement underscores the strategic role financial institutions play in building resilient, forward-looking capital markets across the UAE and beyond.”

With this listing, the total value of Sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai has reached $95.7 billion, underlining its status as one of the world’s largest venues for Islamic fixed-income securities.

Nasdaq Dubai’s broader debt capital market has now surpassed $136 billion across 160 listings, reflecting growing international confidence in Dubai as a gateway for capital flows between the Middle East and the world.

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has successfully priced $500 million perpetual Additional Tier 1 sukuk with a fixed profit rate of 6.125 per cent and a six-year non-call period, making a mark as the tightest set AT1 Issuance in 2025 globally.

WAM