Kuwait's stock exchange could launch an IPO in 2018, Bloomberg News reported, citing Mishaal Al-Usaimi, vice chairman of Kuwait's Capital Markets Authority.
Al-Usaimi told Bloomberg TV that the regulator is carrying out studies for the potential listing of Boursa Kuwait until the end of April, and is hopeful of completing it by the end of 2018.
If launched, the share sale will see the stock exchange operator offer as much as 50% to the public and up to 24% to state entities, the CMA said previously. It also hired a consortium headed by Tri International Consulting Group to advise on the sale of as much as 44% of Boursa Kuwait to an overseas operator, Bloomberg said.
FTSE Russell exchange upgraded the country last year to emerging market status, which could bring large inflows of investment. But Al-Usaimi acknowledged that liquidity "remains an issue."
