Nakheel lists Dhs3.6bn Sukuk

The Sukuk will conform to the principles of Islamic Sharia and will be based on an Ijara (lease financing) structure. Dubai Islamic Bank, JP Morgan and NBD Investment bank were the lead managers and joint book runners for the transaction. Dubai World is guaranteeing the payment obligations under the Sukuk.

The deal came after an extensive roadshow which covered the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Kingdom. A total of more than 30 orders for in excess of Dhs4.2bn were received. Following initial price guidance of 6 month Emirates Interbank Offered Rate (EIBOR) + 2.25% - 2.50% bps, the transaction was priced at the tight end at 6 month EIBOR + 2.25% bps. The book closed at a size of Dhs3.6bn.

Kar Tung Quek, Nakheel Chief Financial Officer, said:

'Nakheel achieved land and property sales of approximately Dhs23bn in the first four months of this year compared with Dhs20bn in all of 2007 which has undoubtedly boosted investor confidence and demand for this Sukuk offering. Whatever may be happening in credit markets elsewhere, investors here are really seeing how robust the Dubai real-estate market is.''

The Middle East took the largest share of the offering (88%), with the remaining going to international accounts. By account type, banks comprised 81% of the order book, followed by fund and asset managers (15%) and private banks (4%).

In December 2006, Nakheel listed the world's largest Sukuk of $3.5bn on the DIFX followed by a further $750m Sukuk in January 2008. Nakheel also announced last month that profit had surged almost four-fold to $1.28bn net income in 2007.