Dubai: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has signed the second agreement under the 'Retail Sukuk' Initiative with Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the MENAT region, aimed at enabling citizens and residents to invest easily and securely in UAE Government Treasury Bonds and Islamic Treasury Sukuk through innovative digital platforms.
According to Emirates News Agency, the agreement allows individual investors in the UAE to invest in fractional T-Bonds and T-Sukuk in smaller denominations with a minimum investment of AED4,000. This move aligns with the Ministry's efforts to broaden the investor base and promote financial inclusion across the UAE. UAE nationals and residents with an Emirates ID or UAE PASS can complete registration online via the platform, fulfill KYC requirements, and create a risk profile directly on the platform, while also viewing the T-Bonds and T-Sukuk terms and transaction details.
Younis Haji AlKhoori, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated, "ENBD participation in the Retail Sukuk Initiative represents an advanced phase in widening the pool of national institutions supporting the Ministry's national programmes, and aligns with our strategic approach to offer government financial instruments to individuals via digital channels." AlKhoori highlighted that collaboration with national financial institutions reflects the Ministry's commitment to empowering the private sector to play an active role in developing innovative, government-backed financial instruments that contribute to deepening local capital markets and stimulating sustainable economic growth.
He further emphasized that the Ministry places a high priority on providing individuals with a safe and user-friendly digital investment experience, allowing them to access comprehensive information on available products, from issuance terms and returns to maturity dates. AlKhoori added that enabling families to plan their finances through reliable, government-supported tools enhances long-term financial stability and reflects the leadership's vision of building a sustainable and secure financial future.
Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, commented, "Our partnership with the Ministry of Finance demonstrates ENBD's commitment to strengthening local capital markets. By providing individual investors with access to UAE T-Bonds and T-Sukuk via the ENBD X mobile application, we contribute to deepening the domestic debt market and making it more dynamic and resilient, thereby supporting sustainable economic growth and reinforcing the UAE's position as a global centre for Islamic finance."
He added that as one of the region's leading national banks, ENBD continues to leverage innovative technology to broaden and diversify market participation and advance financial inclusion across the United Arab Emirates. All T-Bonds and T-Sukuk issued by the Ministry of Finance will be listed on ENBD's platform, with availability through primary allocations or secondary-market transactions, facilitating ease of subscription or trade for investors. The bank will also organize awareness and financial-education sessions, introduce a dedicated FAQs section, and conduct periodic investor surveys to ensure a transparent and user-friendly investment experience.
The Ministry of Finance affirmed that signing this agreement represents the second phase of a series of strategic partnerships with a number of national banks participating in the 'Retail Sukuk' Initiative, aimed at broadening access to T-Bonds and T-Sukuk, promoting financial awareness across society, and embedding the concept of responsible saving as a cornerstone of the UAE's long-term financial sustainability.