Khaled Fouad Khaled Fouad, Chief Investment Officer at KAMCO

KUWAIT: KAMCO Investment Company, a leading investment company with one of the largest AUMs in the region, has been awarded the "Best Bond Issuance of the Year GCC" from Global Business Outlook, a UK based business publication that focuses on Banking, Insurance, Brokerage, Islamic Finance, Hedge funds, Brands, Energy, Hospitality, Real Estate and Technology. This award highlights KAMCO's pioneering efforts in debt capital markets; as one of the top tier lead managers locally and regionally.

After applying for the award, the Global Business Outlook jury considers all nominees and selects a winner based on established criteria relevant to the nominees' submission. KAMCO was selected amongst nominees as the winner of the "Best Bond Issuance of the Year GCC" award considering the bond issuances executed during the year, along with KAMCO's successful track record during 2016 in comparison to other players in the market. Gulf Bank's Subordinated Tier 2, Basel III - Compliant Bond issue for KD 100 million, Burgan Bank's Subordinated Tier 2, Basel III - Compliant Bond issue for KD 100 million and Kuveyt Turk's Tier 2 capital-boosting Sukuk worth $350 million issuance were the main bond issuances considered for the award, in which KAMCO acted as the joint lead manager for each.

Khaled Fouad, Chief Investment Officer of KAMCO, said, "We are proud to announce that this achievement highlights our presence and outstanding effort as bond issuance Joint Lead Manager locally and regionally. Our collaborative work with other Joint Lead Managers backed by our talented employees has influenced our active engagement towards supporting the local debt capital markets. In addition to our active role, we will continue to seek attractive opportunities to enable local and regional investors in reaching their investment goals. We also consider these bond issuances as a breakthrough in enhancing and positioning KAMCO as the preferred Investment Banking and Asset Management provider in Kuwait and the region, while enhancing the local private sector."

KAMCO Investment Company is a premier investment company based in Kuwait and is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority with one of the largest private sector AUMs in the region.

Established in 1998 and listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) in 2003, KAMCO is a subsidiary of United Gulf Bank (UGB).

It has become a leading regional company within its sector offering innovative products and services to its clients, holding over $11.2 billion of client AUM and has successfully completed 85 investment banking transactions worth over $12 billion as of 31 December 2015.

With almost two decades of experience in conducting business in Kuwait's dynamic investment industry, KAMCO has successfully established a robust reputation for solidity, characterized by its prudent, conservative investment philosophy and spirit of transparency, which has consistently commanded the goodwill of a wide patron-base.

The company will further aggressively build upon its core competencies to offer MENA-wide investment management consultancy and services, backed by its proven track record in stringent risk mitigation, investment product innovation, and a cautious investment approach towards local, regional and international capital markets.