The founders of a local investment fund must not dispose of the investment units owned...

The investment-fund regulations impose specific commitment requirements on the founders of a self-managed local fund. Among these requirements, the founders must subscribe an amount of at least AED 5 million into the fund and must not dispose of the investment units owned by them for at least six months from the date of foundation . The lock-in period demonstrates that the founders retain a meaningful financial interest during the fund's initial operating period instead of establishing the fund and immediately disposing of their holdings. This helps align the founders' interests with those of other investors and supports stability during the early stages of the fund. The rule is distinct from other 12-month periods appearing elsewhere in the investment-fund framework, such as the period within which a newly licensed local fund must begin implementing its investment policy. Accordingly, applying a 9-, 12- or 18-month lock-in would incorrectly combine separate regulatory requirements. The explicit founders' disposal restriction is six months from foundation. Therefore, option A is correct.

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