The JSE has welcomed Arqaam Capital, a specialist emerging markets investment bank headquartered in Dubai, as its newest equity member.
“We are excited to welcome Arqaam Capital as the newest equity member of the exchange. Not only is Arqaam Capital well respected for its proven track record of success in emerging markets across North Africa and the Middle East, it is also the first brokerage to join the JSE from the Gulf region. We see their membership as another step in strengthening the JSE’s relationships with financial market players in other emerging markets,” says Leanne Parsons, Director of the JSE’s Equity Market.
Riad Meliti, CEO of Arqaam Capital, says the bank is delighted to have joined the JSE and to enter the South African market. “To our over 700 mature market and MENA investors, Arqaam South Africa offers exposure to African stocks. By introducing African market opportunities to these clients Arqaam will attract new investment into continental markets.”
The JSE believes that Arqaam Capital joining the exchange goes a long way in showing confidence and an appetite for investment by investors in other emerging markets and the recognition of the potential offered by the African continent. The JSE continuously aims to act as the investment bridge to African opportunities whilst providing JSE listed companies with the opportunity to gain access to capital from a wider pool of international investors.
Arqaam Capital’s introduction as a member onto the JSE is the company’s first expansion into Africa due to an overwhelming demand from its clients for investment opportunities in South Africa and the rest of the continent.
Parsons says the JSE is looking forward to working with Arqaam Capital on potential new initiatives in selected emerging markets in MENA and other regions
