DUBAI: Burjeel Holdings celebrated a landmark capital markets milestone on Friday with a Market Open Ceremony at the London Stock Exchange (LSE), marking the admission of its inaugural $500 million Sukuk to trading on the International Securities Market.
The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Khalid bin Saud Al Qasimi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the UAE Embassy in the United Kingdom; Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and CEO of Burjeel Holdings; alongside members of Burjeel's senior leadership team and representatives of the London Stock Exchange.
The market opening follows the successful completion of Burjeel Holdings' first Sukuk issuance under its newly established $1.5 billion Senior Unsecured Sukuk Programme, representing the group's debut entry into international debt capital markets.
The transaction also carries broader significance for the regional healthcare sector: it is the first Sukuk issued by a MENA healthcare provider since 2018, underscoring renewed investor appetite for high-quality credits from the region's growing healthcare industry.
The proceeds from the Sukuk will be directed toward refinancing existing debt and supporting the group's strategic priorities. As Burjeel continues to invest in advanced clinical care, research, medical education, digital transformation, and AI-enabled healthcare innovation, the capital raised provides a stronger platform to power what the company describes as the next generation of healthcare delivery.
Strong global demand
Investor demand for the debut issuance significantly exceeded expectations. The Sukuk attracted a $1.6 billion orderbook, representing a 3.2 times oversubscription rate. Notably, international investors accounted for 61 per cent of the final allocation, reflecting broad-based confidence in Burjeel's credit story beyond its home market.
The Sukuk received credit ratings of BB+ from S&P Global Ratings and Ba2 from Moody's Ratings, affirming the agencies' confidence in the group's business fundamentals and long-term growth trajectory.
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and CEO of Burjeel Holdings, described the listing as a defining moment for the organisation. "Today's ceremony marks an important chapter in Burjeel Holdings' journey," Dr. Vayalil said.
"It reflects how far we have come as an organisation and reinforces our commitment to building a healthcare platform that combines clinical excellence with long-term financial strength."
"As we continue to grow across the region," he added, "this milestone provides a stronger foundation to invest in our people, expand specialised healthcare services, and advance research, education and innovation for the benefit of the communities we serve."
