CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN THE GCC: AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED LISTED COMPANIES IN THE UAE

Abstract

This paper investigates compliance of corporate governance principles by firms listed on the securities exchange in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Even though many companies have appreciated the importance of corporate governance globally, there is limited examination of the UAE in the literature. Data for the paper has been collected from the companies listed in the securities exchange of the UAE. Other sources of data have been used to complement primary data, including websites and annual reports of these companies. The results show that there is limited compliance to Corporate Governance by a few firms in the UAE. Overall, compliance in UAE is ensured more by the banks and the financial sector. This can be attributed to regulations by the Central Bank.