Sheikh Maktoum rings Nasdaq OMX opening bell remotely at The Gate in DIFC

This is the first time that Nasdaq OMX, the world's largest exchange company, is holding a remote opening bell ceremony in the Middle East.

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum said:

"The ringing of Nasdaq OMX's remote opening bell represents the global prominence that Dubai has gained in the global financial industry. Guided by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai has seen exceptional development over the past few years to become a leading international centre of financial activity. The ceremony today is, in many ways, a recognition of this growth."

The ceremony was also attended by HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Essa Kazim, Chairman, Borse Dubai and Jeff Singer, Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Dubai.

The Nasdaq remote opening bell ceremony is a recreation of the daily opening bell that takes place in Nasdaq. The opening bell event is a symbolic ceremony that represents the start of the Nasdaq trading day, which brings together investors and market participants from around the world to trade electronically.

HE Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman said: "Dubai is rapidly rising in importance as a key channel for global capital flows and today's opening bell ceremony reinforces this status. The rebranded Nasdaq Dubai exchange will further enhance Dubai's position by tapping several new synergies between between the technology, expertise and brand equity of Nasdaq OMX and the vast growth potential and emerging market access that Dubai offers."

The ceremony was broadcast on Nasdaq's seven-story Tower overlooking the Times Square in New York, which more than a million people pass by daily. It was also broadcast via Nasdaq's MarketSite studio which conducts daily broadcasts aired around the globe.

On Tuesday this week, the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) was rebranded as Nasdaq Dubai. Following the rebranding, Nasdaq OMX Group announced it has listed its shares on Nasdaq Dubai. The Nasdaq OMX Group owns one third of the shares of Nasdaq Dubai. The other two thirds are owned by Borse Dubai.