Trusted partner in wealth creation

Company profile

Established in 1974, Kuwait Financial Centre 'Markaz' is a leader in asset management and investment banking in MENA.

With bespoke advisory services, diversified investment portfolios, a presence in 13 countries, Markaz’s total assets under management are KD 1.21 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Company profile

Vision & mission

Our vision

Your partner in wealth creation.

 

Mission

Offer best-in-class investment opportunities and tailored solutions.

Vision & mission

Values

  • Qualified

  • Efficient

  • Innovative

  • Transparent

  • Sustainable

Our history

1974
1977
1978
1979
1982
1983
1990
1997
1999
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2010
2012
2014
1974
1974
Establishment of Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz”
1977
1977
Establishment of the first merchant bank in South Korea in partnership with Hyundai Engineering and Construction
1978
Launch of real estate investment activity in Los Angeles, USA
1979
  • Acquisition of a significant share in Lebanon and Kuwait Bank
  • Establishment of the International Trade Finance Department
1982
Overcoming the crisis of the unofficial stock market – (Almanakh)
1983
  • Launch of share and bond trading in Kuwait
  • Commencement of Portfolio Management
1990
1990
Surviving the Iraqi Invasion of the State of Kuwait
1997
1997
  • Public listing of Markaz on the Kuwait Stock Exchange
  • Launch of Asset Management Function
  • Launch of Investment Banking Function
1999
1999

Foray into the management of investment funds, through the launch of the first Kuwaiti monetary fund and the first equity fund

2002
Establishment of the Risks and Compliance Department
2003
2003
Launch of the real estate investment activity in Kuwait
2004
2004
  • Establishment of the Client Relations and Marketing Department
  • Launch of the Atlas ETFs Portfolio, the first ETF product in Kuwait
2005
2005
  • Establishment of the options trading system on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, to become the Middle East’s first and only options market maker
  • Launch and management of first-rated bonds in Kuwait

 
2006
  • Establishment of the department for published financial and economic research
  • Establishment of a representative office in Doha, Qatar

 
2007
Establishment of a representative office in Beirut, Lebanon
Establishment of a real estate investment subsidiary in KSA
Development of the Markaz Volatility Index (MVX)

 
2008
  • Establishment of the Oil and Gas Department
  • Development of luxury residential units in Lebanon
  • Establishment of Aradi Development LLC
  • Launch of joint projects in Syria
  • Establishment of a subsidiary in Jordan
  • Establishment of a representative office in Algeria to evaluate investment opportunities

 
2010
2010
  • Markaz started to operate in the UAE where it manages three residential projects in Abu Dhabi
  • Marmore MENA Intelligence incorporated in India as a majority-owned subsidiary of Markaz
2012
2012
Kuwait Investment Authority designates Markaz to establish and manage the authority’s local real estate portfolio with a maximum value of KD 250 million
2014
2014
Launch of Markaz Gulf Real Estate Fund

Awards & recognitions