Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Deepens Investment Ties with Korea Through Strategic ETF Listings

Two new exchange-traded funds tracking Korea's most advanced industries arrive on ADX, reflecting strengthening economic partnership between the UAE and the Republic of Korea.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has welcomed two new exchange-traded funds from Hanwha Asset Management, marking a significant expansion of cross-border investment opportunities between the UAE and the Republic of Korea. The PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF and PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF represent the fifth and sixth US cross-listed ETFs on the exchange, bringing ADX’s total ETF offerings to 26.

These listings arrive at a moment of deepening economic cooperation between the two nations. Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADX, noted that the funds reflect the exchange’s commitment to providing efficient cross-border capital access, connecting local and international investors with promising Korean industries whilst opening Abu Dhabi investment opportunities to Hanwha’s international network.

The PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF focuses on Korean companies operating in national security technology, advanced defence manufacturing and aerospace innovation, with holdings including Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1. The fund allocates at least 80 percent of its assets to these strategic sectors. The PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF, meanwhile, provides exposure to 35 leading companies across six strategic supply-chain sectors, including semiconductor and technology firms Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

Young Jin Choi, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Hanwha Asset Management, observed that the funds reflect the Republic of Korea’s distinctive strengths in combining world-class technology with large-scale manufacturing capabilities. The ADX listings enable Gulf investors to access these strategic industries during local trading hours, expanding Hanwha Financial Group’s longstanding UAE partnership into the financial sector.

Both funds are also listed on NYSE Arca, reinforcing the dual market access available to investors. The arrival of these Korean-focused funds speaks to the growing appetite among regional investors for exposure to Asia’s advanced industries. Between January and October 2026, ETF trading value on ADX exceeded AED291 million, demonstrating the exchange’s strengthening position as a leading regional ETF market.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

These listings represent a tangible expression of the UAE’s strategic partnership with Korea, opening Abu Dhabi’s capital markets to two of the most dynamic sectors driving global economic growth. Local and international investors now have direct access to Korean companies at the forefront of defence technology, aerospace innovation and semiconductor manufacturing, all during Abu Dhabi trading hours.

The expansion of ADX’s ETF offerings continues to position the exchange as a gateway between emerging markets and the Gulf region’s capital base, attracting both established asset managers and sophisticated investors seeking diversified exposure to leading global industries. This deepening of Korean economic ties complements the emirate’s existing cultural connections, as demonstrated through the refined Korean culinary offerings that have taken root in Abu Dhabi’s dining scene.

Source: WAM

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