Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association

ABU DHABI, 21 November, 2011 - The Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association (GBSA), the sole
industry association representing the Arabian Gulf debt capital market, has released an inaugural
set of investor relations standards for both bond and sukuk issuers from the region. This is the
first set of agreed guidelines and standards ever issued in the Middle East region for issuers of
debt.
The release of these initial standards follows both a survey and a series of consultations with
leading issuers and investors from across the region lasting more than a year.
Andrew Dell, Chairman of the GBSA and Managing Director/Head of CEEMEA Debt Capital
Markets, Global Capital Financing at HSBC commented: “The growing importance of debt
markets for the region makes it crucial that we promote best practices and standards across all
elements of the industry. We expect that issuers will refer to these new standards as best
practice benchmarks.”
The release of the GBSA standards was announced at the Middle East Investor Relations
Society (MEIRS) Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony at the Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi. During
the event, GBSA stated that The Washington-based Institute for International Finance (IIF) has
reviewed and fully supports these investor relations principles.
Giambattista Atzeni, Chairman of GBSA’s Investor Relations Committee and Vice President at
BNY Mellon Corporate Trust said: “These new industry standards and practices can now be
adopted by regional companies and governments committed to providing timely and full
disclosure to both regional and global debt investors.”
The new debt issuance standards and practices will be periodically re-examined by the GBSA
and the regional bond and sukuk industry in future years to ensure it reflects market
developments.
To obtain a copy of the new GBSA Investor Relations standards document, contact GBSA at the
details below or visit www.gulfbondsukuk.com.
NOTE FOR EDITORS:
The Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association
The Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association (GBSA) is the regional trade association representing the
Arabian Gulf bond and sukuk market. GBSA harnesses the commitment of its stakeholders to
promote a wide and deep market on the basis of international best practices as adapted to the
Arabian Gulf region. www.gulfbondsukuk.com.
The members of GBSA are:
Al Bashayer Investment Company
Barclays Bank Plc
Bennett Jones (Middle East) LLP
BNY Mellon
Citibank
Crédit Agricole - Corporate & Investment
Bank
Emirates-NBD
Euroclear Bank
First Gulf Bank
HSBC Bank Middle East
ICAP
Gulf Investment Corporation
ICE Canyon
KIPCO Asset Management Company
Kuwait Financial Centre SAK (Markaz)
Kuwait Projects Company
Latham & Watkins LLC
Mashreq Capital
Moody’s Investors Service
National Bank of Kuwait
Pinebridge Investments
Qatar Islamic Bank
QInvest
Qatar Telecom
Standard Chartered Bank
Standard & Poor’s
The National Commercial Bank
For further information please contact:
Michael P. Grifferty Nicholas McDonagh
President RLM Finsbury
The Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association Telephone: 971.50.652.4717
Telephone: 971.4.401.9944 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mobile: 971.50.668.1950
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.gulfbondsukuk.comABU DHABI, 21 November, 2011 - The Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association (GBSA), the sole
industry association representing the Arabian Gulf debt capital market, has released an inaugural
set of investor relations standards for both bond and sukuk issuers from the region. This is the
first set of agreed guidelines and standards ever issued in the Middle East region for issuers of
debt.
The release of these initial standards follows both a survey and a series of consultations with
leading issuers and investors from across the region lasting more than a year.
Andrew Dell, Chairman of the GBSA and Managing Director/Head of CEEMEA Debt Capital
Markets, Global Capital Financing at HSBC commented: “The growing importance of debt
markets for the region makes it crucial that we promote best practices and standards across all
elements of the industry. We expect that issuers will refer to these new standards as best
practice benchmarks.”
The release of the GBSA standards was announced at the Middle East Investor Relations
Society (MEIRS) Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony at the Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi. During
the event, GBSA stated that The Washington-based Institute for International Finance (IIF) has
reviewed and fully supports these investor relations principles.
Giambattista Atzeni, Chairman of GBSA’s Investor Relations Committee and Vice President at
BNY Mellon Corporate Trust said: “These new industry standards and practices can now be
adopted by regional companies and governments committed to providing timely and full
disclosure to both regional and global debt investors.”
The new debt issuance standards and practices will be periodically re-examined by the GBSA
and the regional bond and sukuk industry in future years to ensure it reflects market
developments.
To obtain a copy of the new GBSA Investor Relations standards document, contact GBSA at the
details below or visit www.gulfbondsukuk.com.