Global Banking & Markets Middle East Conference

Amundsen’s CIO Gautier Rousseau, was invited to speak at the Global Banking & Markets Middle East 2025 conference last month, discussing international investor participation in regional equity capital markets.

Key topics covered included:
Dynamism of ECM activity in GCC markets and the rapid expansion of the investment universe
Alignment of regional offerings with global investor needs and ECM best practices
Need to continue the journey of further diversification and increasing stocks' liquidity through more post-IPO events and follow-on activity

There have been 50 IPOs per year in the GCC over the last 3 years, and as many in 3 years as it took 14 years to get done, underscoring the dynamism of the market in recent years. IPOs should not be a one-off liquidity event for companies and their shareholders. Post-IPO public offerings should follow, to increase free float and drive further engagement with institutional investors to boost liquidity. The GCC region does stand out by its current dynamism and its potential for the many years ahead.