The 12th MENA Investor Conference by Arqaam Capital brought together some of the region’s leading investors and CEOs in Abu Dhabi on 19–20 May 2025, representing institutions managing over USD 1 trillion in assets. 

With its timely theme, “From Vision to Value Creation: Navigating MENA’s Market Transformation,” the conference couldn’t have come at a more critical time. It reflected the strength and sophistication of MENA markets as they evolve, offering global investors a unique window into growth opportunities across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the wider GCC. 

Conversations delved into Abu Dhabi’s long-term diversification agenda, the shifting GCC macroeconomic outlook, and the transformative potential of AI and data centers as catalysts for industrial and energy market growth, with Oman’s capital market journey taking center stage as a standout story of resilience and ambition. 

A testament to the region’s drive, the conference reaffirmed that in MENA, transformation isn’t just a vision; it’s the blueprint for the future. 

Catch a glimpse of the key highlights from the conference. 

For the video, click below on View More.

Arqaam Capital is proud to have acted as Joint Bookrunner on one of the region’s most significant real estate listings to date. Dubai Residential REIT raises over AED 2 billion in its IPO, 26x oversubscribed.

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Arqaam Capital’s Fixed Income Asset Management team has won the “Best Sukuk Strategy 3 Years” award from Global Banking & Markets*

Winning an award for longer term performance is a testament to the veracity of our process. 

Over the past 16 years that our CIO Abdul Kadir Hussain, CFA has operated in this space he and his teams have been recognized multiple times, and we are happy and proud to add another award to the stable 

This reward is also a result of:

A Dedicated Team: Committed to achieving the best for our investors in the Sukuk market.

A huge congratulations to our core team: 

Mehdi POPOTTE, CFA

Nadim Amatouri, CFA

Jad Elrayess

Hayssam Sabra

Fady Gendy, CFA

Gayatri Banga

Biju Das

This win reaffirms our commitment to excellence in the Sukuk space! Thank you to our team and our investors.

Arqaam Capital was thrilled to host a high-impact panel last Monday at the annual Arqaam Capital Conference in Abu Dhabi, bringing critical market intelligence to the forefront as part of our ongoing commitment to thought leadership. 

The discussion, led by Arqaam’s own experts, explored the powerful forces shaping GCC finance – from its $1 Trillion+ scale and explosive growth to the unstoppable momentum of the Global Sukuk Market ($1.3T+ and racing!) and the strategic shifts defining investment and risk.

We are immensely proud of our team for sharing their deep, on-the-ground expertise and leading this vital conversation:

Jad Raouda, MBA: From our Sales & Trading desk, capturing the live pulse of investor appetite.

Omar Musharraf: Our DCM expert, providing the crucial issuer perspective on funding strategies.

A huge and special thank you to our distinguished guest, Dr. Mohamed Damak, Global Head of Islamic Finance at S&P Global Ratings. Your participation and invaluable global context, especially on the transformative future of Sukuk, significantly enriched our discussion.  

Bringing together Arqaam Capital’s leading talent with respected external voices exemplifies our dedication to delivering unparalleled market insights for our clients and the wider financial community.

Day 2 of the Arqaam Capital MENA Investor Conference 2025 opened with a global macro perspective. Ben Powell, CFA, Chief Investment Strategist for the Middle East and APAC at BlackRock Investment Institute (BII), outlined five structural forces reshaping the investment landscape: the energy transition, demographic divergence, supply chain realignment, geopolitical fragmentation, and artificial intelligence. These themes, he noted, are driving a more volatile and complex environment—where traditional assumptions around trend growth and predictable cycles no longer apply.

The spotlight then turned to Oman, with the session “From Frontier to Emerging: Driving Billions to Oman’s Capital Market Ambition.” In a compelling fireside chat, Haitham Al Salmi, CEO of the Muscat Stock Exchange S.A.O.C, joined Arqaam Capital’s Danya Bashir to chart Oman’s journey toward emerging market status. “We’re not building a market for show. We’re building one that competes,” Al Salmi emphasized, signaling Oman’s intent to create a resilient, investable, and globally integrated capital market.

This ambition was echoed in “Unlocking Oman’s Energy and Capital Potential,” where leaders from OQEP, OQBI, OQGN, and OOMCO KSA —moderated by Dr. Lamya Harub of OQ —outlined how Oman’s integrated energy value chain is driving both its green transition and capital market development. Hydrocarbons, they stressed, will continue to fund this shift—cleaner, smarter, and with increased investor transparency.

The day also featured sessions spanning financial services, ESG, and investor engagement. “IPO Playbook: Lessons from the C-Suite” delivered practical guidance on going public, from early preparation to regulatory readiness and sustained communication. In Financials Outlook, Jaap Meijer explored how rising interest rates are widening net interest margins while open banking and fintech innovation accelerate competitive disruption.

Jasmine Mehta from MSCI Inc. discussed how ESG performance and index inclusion shape investor access and market visibility. And to close the loop, Veselin Tilev and Meijer emphasized the foundational role of liquidity, analyst coverage, and proactive investor relations in building a resilient MENA capital market ecosystem.

At the Arqaam Capital MENA Investor Conference 2025, the session Unlocking Oman’s Energy and Capital Potential spotlighted how OQ’s integrated value chain—from upstream to downstream—is shaping both the country’s energy future and its capital market trajectory.

Moderated by Lamya Harub, acting Head of Listed Assets & Investor Relations at QQ Group, the panel featured Jaber Al Namaani (QQEP), Khaled Al Asmi (QQBI), Mansoor Ali Al-Abdali (OQGN), and Tarik Al-jumaido (OOMCO).

From a solar-powered bunkering facility in Sohar and gas delivery networks with over 133 industrial connections, to methanol and ammonia expansion plans and hydrogen transport corridors, OQ is activating its full chain of capabilities. The listing of OQGN on the Muscat Stock Exchange S.A.O.C in October 2023 marked a strategic step in connecting industrial infrastructure to long-term capital.

Panelists emphasised that hydrocarbons will continue to play a funding role for Oman’s green transition but with lower emissions, better efficiency, and a strong focus on integration.

Backed by diversification policy, regulatory momentum, and investor-focused reforms, Oman is reinforcing its position as a rising hub for energy and capital, drawing new global interest in the process.

At a fireside chat during Arqaam Capital’s MENA Investor Conference 2025, Haitham Al Salmi, CEO of Muscat Stock Exchange S.A.O.C, joined Danya Bashir, Director of Special Projects at Arqaam Capital, to break down Oman’s transformation from frontier to emerging market and the billions it aims to attract in the process.

Al Salmi highlighted how Oman’s fiscal reforms, a clear privatization roadmap, and a “market-for-the-market” strategy are redefining investor confidence. With foreign ownership rules relaxed and a growing pipeline of investable assets, MSX International is actively positioning itself for an MSCI upgrade. For MSX the goal is to deepen liquidity, attract long-term capital, and integrate regionally.

MSX isn’t waiting for capital to come instead the exchange is building the infrastructure and partnerships to bring it in. From ESG integration and fund structures to short selling and market-making reforms, Oman is ticking off the technical boxes and pushing companies to focus on sustained value post-listing, not just the IPO moment.

As Al Salmi put it: “It’s not just about getting listed. It’s about being listed and owning that responsibility.”

At a fireside chat during Arqaam Capital’s 12th Annual MENA Investor Conference, Sami Sindi (Non-Executive Director and Chairman, Arqaam Capital) sat down with Mustafa Alrawi (Group Director, IMI Media) to explore how Vision 2030 is unlocking real opportunities for investors. The discussion highlighted capital markets reform as a key driver of diversification, institutional investment, and financial modernization.

Vision 2030 is more than mega-projects – it’s a full-scale economic overhaul, improving capital access, regulation, and governance. Saudi Arabia blends emerging-market potential with developed-market strengths including a young, educated population and rising demand across sectors.

Institutional capital is rising as reforms deepen liquidity, boost transparency, and diversify investment tools. A growing IPO pipeline reflects both private sector momentum and state enterprise restructuring.

Oil still matters, but the growth story now rests on structural reforms and consistent policy. Sectors like AI, housing, and infrastructure are gaining traction and the broader opportunity is already active across public and private markets.

As Sami Sindi put it, this is a generational shift that’s gaining global attention.

Ben Powell, Chief Middle East and APAC Investment Strategist, BlackRock Investment Institute (BII), opened Day 2 of the Arqaam Capital 12th Annual MENA Investor Conference 2025 with a timely look at how structural forces are reshaping global capital markets.

Rather than being shaped by short-term cycles, today’s investment environment is being driven by long-term, overlapping shifts: the rise of artificial intelligence, the reconfiguration of global supply chains, demographic divergence, geopolitical fragmentation, and the acceleration of the energy transition. 

Ben Powell, CFA highlighted that these mega forces are contributing to structurally higher inflation, a higher-for-longer interest rate environment, and greater uncertainty around future market outcomes. In this context, he emphasized the need for a more precise and dynamic investment approach, moving beyond broad allocations toward more targeted exposure across geographies, sectors, and long-term themes.

He also noted the growing role of private capital in financing future infrastructure, from energy and AI to advanced manufacturing, particularly as public balance sheets face constraints.

The GCC is increasingly aligned with these shifts. With its investment in next-generation energy systems, digital infrastructure, and long-duration assets, the region is well-positioned to attract global capital seeking resilience, diversification, and long-term opportunity.

Day 1 of the Arqaam Capital 12th Annual Mena Investor Conference 2025 brought together the region’s leading voices in finance.

From macro forecasts to IPO strategy, VC momentum, and cross-border capital flows, setting the tone for MENA’s financial future.

Watch the Day 1 wrap-up video for key highlights.