The benchmark index currently comprises 11 UAE companies including some of the largest ones.  It will encourage further participation from investors including regional and international funds seeking to increase their exposure to the UAE's investment landscape, Hamed Ali, chief executive of Nasdaq Dubai said in a statement.

Nasdaq Dubai's derivates market opened in 2016 and currently comprises stock futures on 17 top UAE listed companies as well as futures on Dubai Financial Market's DFMGI share index and the ADI index of Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.

Nasdaq Dubai also plans to launch single stock futures on cmpanies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), the statement said.