China Security and Surveillance Technology, Inc. (CSST), a leading provider
of digital surveillance technology in the People's Republic of China, has announced
its intention to apply to list its shares on the Dubai International Financial
Exchange (DIFX).
The Shenzhen-based company is already listed on the New York Stock Exchange,
and has a market capitalisation of over USD560 million (28 July, 2008). CSST
expects to file an application for a secondary listing of the company's shares
with the DIFX and related authorities over the next few weeks and anticipates
that its shares will be approved for trading on the DIFX before the end of October,
2008.
Formed in September 2005, the DIFX is a new international stock exchange,
based in the United Arab Emirates. The exchange provides state of the art trading
technology, servicing both the rapidly expanding Middle East region and permitting
any international company to list, providing it has a market capitalisation
of USD50 million or more.
Already boasting the largest listed sukuk (Islamic Bond) market, the DIFX
has listed 15 international companies from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, India,
South Africa, Switzerland and the United States. CSR would be joining such companies
as Goldfields, Kingdom Hotels and DP World. Borse Dubai, the DIFX parent company,
recently acquired 19.9% of NASDAQ - OMX and simultaneously sold 33% of the DIFX
to NASDAQ.
"We are extremely excited about the opportunity of becoming the first
Chinese company and also the first NYSE-listed company to list its shares on
the DIFX. This will provide our group with wider market access and a significantly
higher profile in the Middle East," commented CSST Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Guoshen Tu.
"While we continue with our business strategy of expanding domestically
in China, we believe that a listing in Dubai will provide the group with a foothold
into the rapidly expanding Middle East markets and surrounding regions, including
Africa, India and Pakistan. Demand for security related products and services
within these regions continues to grow significantly. The DIFX bridges the gap
between the capital markets in Hong Kong, New York and London," Tu added.
Dubai-based Investment Bank, MAC Capital Limited, has been appointed to advise
the Company on its listing.
"A listing on the DIFX would extend the number of hours that CSST's stock
will be able to trade in a business day, would eventually broaden its shareholder
base and would boost the profile of the Company in the Middle East. New investors
from the UAE and the other Gulf countries would now be able to directly participate
in the phenomenal growth of this company," observed Robert W. McMillen,
Chairman of MAC Capital.
"CSST's various business lines should be in great demand in the region
and a successful listing on the DIFX will certainly demonstrate its willingness
to become part of the Gulf Cooperation Council's business community," he
added.
CSST manufactures, distributes, installs and maintains security and surveillance
systems throughout the PRC. CSST has a significant number of manufacturing facilities
located in China and has its R&D facility under an exclusive collaboration
agreement with Beijing University and Wuhan University.