DFM issues new regulations for Repo and Murabaha transactions

Dubai

Dubai Financial Market (DFM) announced on Monday that it has issued two new regulations that pave the way for market participants to implement both repurchase agreements (Repo) and Islamic Murabaha transactions in conjunction with the approval given by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).

The regulations have been outlined in line with international best practices as well as in full coordination with various market participants. Accordingly, DFM investors may utilise the two mechanisms to transfer their DFM listed securities as part of a Repo transaction or an Islamic Murabaha transaction with Sharia-compliant financial institutions, the bourse said in a statement.

The DFM may now process requests for transfer of securities listed on DFM for Repo transactions between a Repo seller and a Repo buyer who have agreed on a repurchase agreement in accordance with DFM requirements, the statement added.

Eisa Kazim, Chairman of DFM said: “Earlier, we have enabled investors to benefit from their listed securities in a non-trade manner through the Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) mechanism and our efforts will accelerate over the coming period to introduce more services and regulations as part of our efforts to further strengthen DFM’s leading position in this part of the world.”

Maryam Fekri, Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Head of Clearing, Settlement and Depository Division of DFM said: “As we constantly identify new opportunities for DFM investors, these new rules have been created to ensure that investors can efficiently diversify and create more value using their DFM listed securities in a non-trade related manner. DFM investors can now structure a Repo agreement and sell their securities for cash to a financial institution with a future commitment to re-purchase the securities. On the other hand, DFM securities can now also be used by Sharia financial institutions to structure Murabaha financing transactions for their client financing products whereby such securities can be transferred to the client if required under the Murabaha financing transaction.”