ESCA, ADGM & DFSA initiate passporting facility
The Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (ESCA), the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has announced that, following the enactment of relevant legislation and rules, a new fund passporting facility is available.
This passporting facility, which has been the subject of extensive public consultation since November 2018, will facilitate the promotion of the funds licensed by each authority across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Minister of Economy and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (ESCA) Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri stated that the ESCA has endeavoured to develop the Financial Services Sector and support the long-term economic growth of the UAE. The start of implementing the recently signed Passporting Agreement as a regulatory mechanism for the mutual promotion and oversight of investment funds established in the different jurisdictions within the UAE is an important step to inspire the development of the mutual funds’ market so as to achieve the goal of having more diversified investment opportunities and products.
Al Mansouri noted that the implementation of the Passporting Agreement will enhance the UAE’s position as an international financial centre and a platform for entrepreneurship. This cooperation will allow new market leaders, investors and companies to expand and grow in the UAE markets, which supports the ESCA efforts and initiatives in providing the appropriate climate for the investment of savings and funds in securities in line with the objectives of the UAE economic development process.
Dr. Obaid Saif Al Zaabi, chief executive officer of the ESCA pointed out that the signing of the Agreement by the three regulators in November, last year, was clearly demonstrated in facilitating the promotion of investment funds in the UAE, which in turn helps in attracting more foreign investment and in providing more options for channelling savings to new financial instruments such as mutual funds. He mentioned that once the passporting agreement implementation phase is completed, all parties will witness an increasing momentum on the group of financial services and activities related to investment funds such as Custodies, Investment Management, and Promotion.
Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, minister of State (UAE) and chairman of ADGM said: “There has been an accelerating demand and appetite for a greater variety of domestic funds in the UAE by the investment community. The new passporting regime enables investors to access growth opportunities with greater ease and efficiency. It will also bolster the UAE’s economic diversification strategy and attract more foreign direct investments and new investors and institutions to participate and support the growth of our economy and the development of the region.”
Saeb Eigner, chairman of the DFSA said: “We strive to maintain an environment that fosters collaboration with other UAE regulators. The DFSA remains committed to supporting the development of the financial services sector and fostering the UAE’s economic growth by encouraging the development of the domestic funds market. We are keen to support the creation of a stronger and more diversified financial market through an adaptive and robust regulatory framework. This move enforces our alignment with the UAE leadership vision to transform the country into a global financial hub for international investment. ”
Richard Teng, chief executive officer, FSRA of ADGM said: “The UAE funds market is on the cusp of exponential growth and the new funds passporting regime will stimulate the development of the domestic investment funds industry with a broader variety of funds and enable funds to be supported across the UAE. With the closer cooperation with our regulatory partners, we are able to share pertinent regulatory information and supervisory updates to support licensing of domestic funds.”
Bryan Stirewalt, chief executive of the DFSA said: “We are confident that agreeing this facilitative regime, and enacting its relevant legislation and rules, will not only complement our existing regime for domestic funds but will also support the growth of the UAE funds market in general. We have made amendments to the DFSA Rulebook to reflect our joint agreement with peer UAE regulators following the conclusion of the consultation period.”
The new funds passporting rules and regulations are publicly available and uploaded on the Authorities’ respective websites.
