The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has signed strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) and the Damascus Securities Exchange (DSE) during the annual conference of the Arab Federation of Capital Markets (AFCM) in Abu Dhabi.
These bilateral agreements will enable a clear, structured pathway for the ADX to explore and work with the respective exchanges on initiatives that support market development, crossborder trading opportunities, expanded access for investors, and discussions on integration into the Tabadul hub.
The respective signing ceremonies were attended by H.E. Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Capital Market Authority; H.E. Ghannam AlMazrouei, Chairman of the ADX Group; Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADX Group; H.E. Mohammed Yisr Barnieh, Minister of Finance of Syria; Omar Radwan, Executive Chairman and CEO of the EGX; Omar Barhamji, Chairman of the DSE; and Basel Asaad, CEO of the DSE.
Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of the ADX, said: “As financial markets across the region grow, working directly with our partners is essential to unlocking new investment and building deeper liquidity. Exploring ways to integrate our markets allows us to support cross-border trading for our investors and issuers. In doing so, the ADX serves as a core catalyst for capital formation in line with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, strengthening the emirate’s standing as a global investment hub.”
Omar Radwan, Chairman of the Egyptian Exchange, said: “This exceptional gathering of financial market pioneers and leaders at today’s conference reflects a shared purpose and a genuine determination to propel joint Arab cooperation toward unprecedented horizons. There is no doubt that building effective and complementary partnerships among all participating parties and institutions is no longer merely an option, but rather a fundamental pillar for supporting the resilience of our financial markets and their ability to attract global capital and direct investments. The memorandum of understanding we signed today with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) serves as an immediate practical implementation of the outcomes of this conference and the spirit of this gathering, paving the way to facilitate cross-market trading, develop infrastructure, and explore opportunities for cooperation that will serve the economic growth of both countries.”
Basel Asaad, Chief Executive Officer of the Damascus Securities Exchange (DSE), said: “This strategic partnership comes at a pivotal moment in the new Syria, defined by economic openness and a commitment to building fruitful bridges of cooperation with diverse regional and international partners. Harnessing the expertise of our Arab peers and adopting state-ofthe-art financial technology and infrastructure are top priorities for modernizing and enhancing the operations of the Damascus Securities Exchange.”
He added: “Syria today presents vast and expanding investment opportunities across key sectors. Capitalizing on these emerging prospects requires our local capital market to keep pace with this transformation and work alongside leading external financial markets. We are confident that this collaboration with premier exchanges, led by the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, will serve as a foundational pillar in elevating the efficiency of our domestic market and enabling investors to seamlessly access these high-potential opportunities.”
These new partnerships further complement the thriving regional ties and partnerships, including a prior bilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed directly between the EGX and the DSE in 2006[1].
The EGX’s history dates back to 1883[2], with the creation of the mercantile futures market in Alexandria, before the Cairo Stock Exchange was established in 1903[3]. Today, it is one of Africa’s largest exchanges[4] and home to 277 listed companies[5], with a total market capitalization of USD 77 billion as of August 2026[6].
Since it opened for trading in 20097, the DSE has grown from six listed[7] companies to 27 issuers today[8], with a combined market capitalization of USD 2.1 billion[9].
By initiating strategic dialogue with regional counterparts, the ADX continues to build an integrated multi-asset marketplace and support international investment flows across the region.
[6] https://www.arab-exchanges.org/upload/1950websiteMonthly%20Report%20-%20August.pdf#page=10 7 https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/the-damascus-securities-exchange-an-emblem-forsyrias-economic-reform/
