The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has granted Emirates NBD Bank PJSC, a leading banking group in the Middle East, a pioneering fee waiver for listing sustainability-related debt securities. This is the first such fee waiver as announced by DFSA Chief Executive Ian Johnston during COP28 in December 2023, aiming to bolster sustainable capital markets within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) by waiving all regulatory fees for issuers in 2024.

This move underscores the DFSA’s commitment to fostering sustainable financial practices among institutions, with Emirates NBD Bank PJSC becoming the first to take advantage of this new policy. The waiver is part of a broader effort to encourage the growth of green investments and reflects the critical role financial regulators can play in promoting environmental and social sustainability in the financial sector.

The DFSA is currently processing additional applications from firms eager to benefit from this incentive, indicating a growing interest in sustainable finance within the region. This fee waiver is available to all new and returning issuers who meet the DFSA’s criteria, marking a significant step towards integrating sustainability into the core of financial operations in the DIFC.

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