368 thousand new investors in 3 years

The CEO of the Dubai Financial Market and “Nasdak Dubai”, Hamid Ali, stressed that the financial markets in Dubai have witnessed a pivotal transformation during the past three years, driven by the emirate’s strategy, which focused mainly on achieving sustainable growth, which contributed to the high market value of the Dubai Financial Market to reach a trillion dirhams.

He added in an interview with “Emirates Today” that the general index of the Dubai Financial Market maintained its lead as the best performance between the Gulf markets for the third year in a row, as it grew up to 20% during the current year 2025.

He revealed that the Dubai Financial Market attracted more than 368 thousand new investors during the past three years only, including 54 thousand new investors during the current year alone (84% of them from outside the country), in a clear indication of the regional and global growing market attractiveness, and expanding the investor base.

He noted that the “Nasdaq Dubai Stock Exchange” also strengthened its position as the largest global platform for the inclusion of sukuk in the world, and the largest market in the region to include fixed income tools, explaining that the value of fixed income tools in both Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai amounted to 532 billion dirhams to date, reflecting the confidence of international exporters and investors with the strong and transparency of the markets.

New subscriptions

Ali stressed that liquidity constitutes the foundation stone to enhance the dynamics and effectiveness of financial markets, noting that the current global challenges, whether in terms of price fluctuations or the change of interest rates, impose a new reality that requires a quick and effective response.

He explained that the focus during the coming period remains directed towards attracting new subscriptions for companies from various sectors, while preserving the transparency of the market, in addition to developing an advanced institutional structure and enhancing investment tools, in a way that keeps pace with the aspirations of investors at the local and international levels.

The CEO of the Dubai Financial Market and “Nasdaq Dubai” said that the market performance during the first half of this year 2025 embodied this vision, as we witnessed an increasing activity for investors, and the percentage of foreign investors reached 84% of the total number of new investors, and the contribution of institutional investors increased to 71% of the value of trading.

He emphasized that international trading exceeded its local counterpart for the first time ever by 53%, which is a reflection of the pivotal role that has become distinguished by Dubai, as a strategic gateway between East and West and an attraction for international investments.

He revealed a growth registration in the value of daily trading by 75% in 2025, while foreign investors constituted 53% of the total trading, and their ownership rate constituted 20% of the total market value, and 84% of the percentage of new investment accounts in the market.

He stressed that these results came as a result of qualitative steps that included attracting new subscriptions, modernizing infrastructure, and developing the organizational regulations of the market, which resulted in a marked increase in liquidity by 77% during the current year compared to last year.

International confidence

Ali continued: «This international momentum reflects the confidence of the global markets in Dubai, and its position as an advanced and reliable financial center, and the continuous success in developing the market and infrastructure supporting investors, as our efforts are not limited to monitoring indicators or following up performance, but we are working to facilitate the ways of listing in the market, expanding and developing investment tools, and providing renewable solutions that keep pace with the aspirations of various investor segments.

He added, “This also includes enhancing the diversity of products, modernizing trading mechanisms, and simplifying procedures, as well as improving the investor experience through digital platforms and smart services.”

Ali pointed out that “preserving the momentum of liquidity in a market characterized by continuous changes, requires a proactive and integrated approach.” He said: «This is what we are keen on through continuous efforts to attract institutional investments, expand the investor base, and enhance the organizational environment, in a way that establishes the market’s ability to absorb the variables and translate challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth.

Digital system

He indicated that “Dubai Financial” and “Nassed Dubai” continue to develop an integrated digital system, based on the firm commitment to innovation, keeping pace with the aspirations of investors from all over the world, and enables them to benefit from the rewarding investment opportunities provided by the market.

He pointed out that this is embodied through effective solutions such as the comprehensive “IFSter” application that provides an integrated set of services, including: trading, financial transfers, follow -up of market movements, and participation in subscriptions, which provides individual investors with an advanced digital experience that depends on the highest standards of efficiency and reliability.

He stressed that the priority is based on attracting new subscriptions and designs, diversifying products, and raising liquidity levels, while providing innovative solutions that meet the aspirations of investors and exporting authorities alike, stressing that Dubai continues to consolidate its position is a global financial destination that combines leadership and innovation.

artificial intelligence

Regarding the digital transformation and demand for continuous innovation, Ali said: “Today’s artificial intelligence is no longer just a secondary choice, but rather a basic necessity and pillar to improve the investment experience in terms of ease and speed, and to meet the aspirations of investors, as well as raise the efficiency of the market.”

He explained: «During the third edition of the summit of capital markets in the Middle East and North Africa region, a new group of tool supported by artificial intelligence, such as (smart disclosure) and (financial data summary), which were integrated into the experience of the IVSter application.

He pointed to the launch of the Dubai Financial Market, the “Arena” platform for the preliminary special subscription offers, which were designed to stimulate growth opportunities for family companies, fast -growing companies and investors.

He stressed the continuation of the innovation and development process, with the implementation of several plans to enhance the role of artificial intelligence in various fields, pointing out that the aim of these initiatives is to provide a smart and integrated digital platform, which combines flexibility and efficiency, and effectively responds to the needs of investors, whether they are individuals or institutions, which guarantees them a faster and more effective investment experience.

Sustainability plan

Regarding meeting the aspirations of global investors regarding environmental and social practices and corporate governance, he stressed that these factors have become one of the basic pillars in the investment decision -making, and cannot be overlooked in advanced and modern markets.

He stated that the “Strategic Sustainability Plan 2025” was placed at the heart of the agenda, to be a clear road map to consolidate sustainability standards at the market level.

Ali announced the release of advanced directives to disclose the sustainability practices of the exporting authorities, noting that work continues to match market practices with the most prominent international frameworks and standards, especially the standards of the International Sustainability Council, which enhances transparency, and enables investors to make more aware and responsibility decisions.

Ali stressed the paving of the road for more urban and sustainable financial products and financial products, in a move aimed at attracting a new generation of investors and exporting bodies, who put sustainability at the heart of their investment decisions.

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International partnerships

The CEO of the Dubai Financial Market and “NASDAC Dubai”, Hamid Ali, said that the market continues to expand the network of international partnerships, citing the agreement of cooperation with the Chinese “Chinese Stock Exchange”, as a tangible example of the ongoing efforts to develop common products and provide dual listing opportunities, which opens new horizons for the exporters and investors in the world.

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Sukuk and green bonds

The CEO of the Dubai Financial Market and “Nasdak Dubai”, Hamid Ali, said that “Nasdaq Dubai” established its position as a pioneering regional axis in the inclusion of sukuk, green bonds, and sustainable debt tools.

He explained that the total value of the debt tools associated with environmental and social responsibility and governance on the Nasdaq Dubai Stock Exchange amounted to about 98.8 billion dirhams, which represents a large and growing share of the debt tools market, and reflects an increasing global interest in sustainable investment.

He pointed out that these indicators enhance confidence in the market, and highlight its increasing attractiveness to international investors.

He also stressed the continuation of efforts to encourage sovereign authorities and companies to launch more sustainable debt tools, in response to the growing demand from international institutions seeking to align their investments with global sustainability goals.

He stressed that Dubai continues to lead the shift towards more sustainable and innovative financial markets, by extending effective bridges between investors wishing to achieve rewarding returns, and their increasing commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

. 98.8 billion dirhams the value of sustainable debt tools listed in Nasdaq Dubai.