Press Release

Macquarie Capital receives ‘in principle approval’ for ADGM license

Abu Dhabi, 13 March 2016

Abu Dhabi geared to become a global financial centre in line with Vision 2030

Macquarie Capital Middle East LLC, the corporate advisory and capital markets arm of Macquarie Group, today announced that it is one of the first global banks to receive an in principle license approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Markets’ (“ADGM”) Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”), to operate within the UAE’s next global financial centre.

Macquarie Capital Middle East, headquartered in Abu Dhabi since 2005, is one of the largest infrastructure advisors in the world. It was one of the first global institutions to have a presence in the newly formed ADGM free zone, with operational offices in the financial centre since 2013. Macquarie Capital Middle East offers comprehensive corporate advisory solutions including M&A advisory, project finance, equity and debt capital markets activities and principal investing.

Wissam Moukahal, Executive Chairman, Macquarie Capital Middle East said: “The ADGM’s welcoming of member companies is a key next step in Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision of 2030. Its impact on the economy will be wider than just the financial services industry and will be felt across other supporting sectors, ensuring Abu Dhabi’s economy is diversified beyond oil.”

“We are delighted to be one of the first global financial institutions to apply for an ADGM FSRA license, testament of our confidence in the ability of Abu Dhabi to become another major global financial center based out of the GCC. We believe this initiative will create jobs and enhance the Emirati expertise in the financial services sector beyond traditional banking and investment management.”

Macquarie Capital is known globally for its long standing track record of advising on projects using the Public Private Partnership model. Since late 2015 this model has been governed in Dubai by Law No. 22 and it is expected it will play a significant role in the future development of Dubai’s infrastructure. Macquarie Capital advised on transactions locally worth more than $US8 billion.

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