The Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has successfully managed to lead a USD 500 million issuance for Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) to finance expansion and growth plans.
"KFH's success in leading a new USD 500 million Sukuk issue, through its subsidiary 'KFH Investment' for Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) confirms and reiterates KFH ability to expand into new markets and attract distinguished investors to the Sukuk Capital Market, be it governments or corporate or financial institutions" said the Board Member & CEO - KFH Investment Company Emad Al-Monayea said in a press release issued Saturday.
He indicated that this Sukuk issue is 5 years Wakala/Mudharabah Sukuk deal which has received an over subscription almost 7 times the targeted size.
Al-Monayea emphasized that "Sukuk proceeds shall be utilized in financing SIB expansion and growth plans, support its various activities to cope with the remarkable growth which UAE economy is witnessing in general and the Emirate of Sharjah in particular." He added that the issue has attracted a USD 3.6 billion order books by 120 various accounts or investors.
Geographical distribution shows that 63 percent of orders came from the GCC and the Middle East, 23 percent from Asia and 14 percent from Europe. This over subscription highlights clearly the significance of Sukuk in various global capital markets and the position which they occupy as one of the most significant instruments admissible globally in the international finance market.
Concerning KFHIC role, Al-Monayea stated that KFH has acted as a Joint Lead Manager and Bookrunner. Other Participants in the issue were "Abu-Dhabi Islamic Bank, AlHilal Bank of UAE, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Bank, Noor bank of UAE, HSBC and Standard Chartered.
He reaffirmed that KFH shall endeavor to lead more Sukuk issues to governments and companies worldwide in order to support the role and significance of this instrument as a successful alternative for bonds.
This capital market instrument shall participate in providing finance to various projects using innovative structures and mechanisms to reinforce the role of Islamic finance in major projects and participate in the development and growth efforts in various communities.
The Kuwait Finance House was established in Kuwait in 1977 and is enlisted in the Kuwait Stock Exchange. KFH Group is a global pioneer in the field of Islamic banking services, where it offers a wide array of Islamic products and services, not to mention a high standard of innovation and client service.
KFH manages its operations in the GCC, Asia, and Europe through over 380 branches, including KFH-Turkey, in order to offer services for the bank's clients in Turkey, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Australia, Jordan, Dubai, and Manheim in Germany.