Abu Dhabi IPO Fund Hosts a Private Roundtable Discussion with The Chairman & CEO of Morgan Stanley, Analysing the thriving Abu Dhabi capital market & global economic status quo

The Abu Dhabi IPO Fund,  a Dh5 billion ($1.4bn) managed by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic development, hosted an exclusive strategic roundtable discussion with the global investment bank Morgan Stanley, recently in the capital of the United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi Global Market, on the sidelines of the official visit by Mr. James Gorman, Chairman and CEO. 

The roundtable, entitled ‘Inside Abu Dhabi’s Capital Landscape’ presented a bird’s-eye-view analysis of the global economic status quo, the emergence of regional markets and the sense of cautious optimism currently guiding economies, especially that of the GCC and extended Middle East region, the session then focused on Abu Dhabi’s economic achievements, its buoyant IPO market, growing importance on the global financial stage, its investment strategies, and increasing focus on sustainable finance and developing sustainable projects based on the ESG principles.

The session also saw the participation of Dr. Jaap Kalkman, Group Chief Investment Officer, ADQ, and Mr. Seif Fikry, Group CEO, Chimera Investments, and Dan Simkowitz, Co-Head of Strategy & Head of Investment Management at Morgan Stanley, and it was attended by high-profile government officials, dignitaries, and C-Suite executives from the private sector.

H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Abu Dhabi Global Market stated, “Our meetings with Morgan Stanley have come at an opportune time for regional and global markets, especially as the world approaches a new economic reality pushing for the need to develop new avenues for cooperation, co-investment strategies, and devising of mutually beneficial business trajectories and roadmaps to embrace economic diversity and sustainability. 

“We were very pleased with the results of our roundtable discussions and look forward to working ever closer with Morgan Stanley in the region as we ramp up efforts towards building sustainable projects and ensure financial inclusion. Abu Dhabi plays a critical role in ensuring that private sector firms have the ecosystem support to thrive, both locally and globally. Our business ecosystem is testament to our continuous efforts towards supporting and harnessing sustainable projects, investors, and talents”.

Commenting at the roundtable, Mr. James Gorman, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley said, “Abu Dhabi and the UAE are making impressive progress on many fronts, as demonstrated by the capital markets reform agenda and COP28.  We look forward to building on our longstanding partnership in the years to come.”

Mr. Seif Fikry, Group CEO, Chimera Investment, stated: “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in these discussions which are vital in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional investment hub. Our presence in Abu Dhabi and ADGM is derived from our belief that Abu Dhabi will play a leading role in developing financial services both regionally and globally. In specific, Abu Dhabi’s global position makes it a hub of choice in asset management and capital markets and hence Chimera’s strategy to become a partner by adopting a multi-asset class manager approach. This approach covers both the private markets, through the launch of private equity, venture capital and private credit funds, as well as public markets, through a portfolio of ETF’s and the region’s first SPAC - in collaboration with ADQ.

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