The chief executive of OMX suitor Nasdaq has reportedly paved the way for a Dubai group, which last week drew regulatory scrutiny after snapping up a 28.4% stake in the Nordic markets operator and lauching a rival offer, to keep its holding even if the US exchange's bid wins.

Bob Greifeld, the chief executive of the US exchange, said Borse Dubai, the United Arab Emirates exchanges operator that last week launched a rival bid for OMX, is as welcome as a shareholder as anyone else, according to Dagens Industri, a Swedish newspaper.