The Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADSM) will discuss its development plans, including exchange traded funds and foreign listings, with representatives of some of Asia’s leading stock exchanges during a road show that begins this week in Singapore and Tokyo.

ADSM is looking to raise international awareness of the exchange, both to increase foreign investment in ADSM-listed companies and to further develop the exchange’s own product offerings.

ADSM director general Tom Healy, who is leading the delegation to Singapore and Tokyo, said foreign listings on the ADSM would be a great way to further diversify the exchange’s offerings.

“The ADSM is planning to initiate ETFs trading, and we believe that foreign ETFs, and particularly ETFs in sectors such as electronics that are not represented in the UAE, would be of tremendous interest,” Healy said.

Accompanied by senior representatives of eight leading ADSM-listed companies, Healy also will provide his counterparts at the Singapore and Tokyo stock exchanges with an update on a range of ADSM activities and projects.

This week’s Asia road show follows the June 2007 events in London and New York, which Healy said “were very successful”.

The eight participating companies are National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Aldar Properties, Sorouh Real Estate, Waha Capital, Dana Gas, Fujairah Cement Industries and Agthia.

“These leading blue-chip companies will not only serve as excellent examples of the strong, successful and well-managed firms listed on the exchange, but they will also help present to investors and financial institutions in Singapore and Tokyo the many benefits of investing in the UAE,” said Healy.

The Asia, London and New York road shows have been organised in cooperation with HSBC. – TradeArabia News Service