Iraq's Securities Commission is in talks to join Abu Dhabi's digital trading platform, marking a potential significant step in regional market integration, officials said on December 16, INA reported.

The conference, which featured more than 80 global experts, addressed key capital market issues including GCC market growth, AI in investor relations, and ESG integration in Islamic finance.

The discussions took place during Iraqi Securities Commission Chairman Faisal Al-Haimus's official visit to Abu Dhabi, where he met with Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) CEO Abdulla Salem Al Nuaimi to explore cooperation opportunities.

The talks focused on Iraq potentially joining ADX's Tabadul digital platform, launched in 2022. "Tabadul is the region's first digital exchange hub based on mutual market access, currently connecting eight participating financial markets," Al-Haimus told INA.

"This cooperation will strengthen the Iraq Stock Exchange's regional role and develop the investment environment in Iraq," Al-Haimus said during the meetings, which included discussions about signing a broader cooperation agreement for expertise exchange and market development.

Al Nuaimi expressed ADX's readiness to support the initiative. "Cooperation with the Iraqi Commission will enhance knowledge and expertise exchange between regional financial markets and strengthen the role of capital markets in economic growth," he said.

The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) 2024 annual conference in Abu Dhabi, which attracted over 800 leaders and experts, including representatives from 150 issuers from the GCC and Middle East, and 33 stock exchanges.