Citi applies for capital markets licence in Saudi Arabia

Citigroup plans to return to the country after a roughly 13-year absence

Saudi cuts Aramco income tax ahead of IPO

The company’s tax rate has been cut from 85 per cent to 50 per cent

Revealed: Countries with the highest VAT rates

The GCC states are planning to introduce a 5 per cent value added tax from 2018

Saudi lowers income tax rates for producers of oil, hydrocarbons

The tax rate for investments exceeding $100bn will be 50 per cent

Oman agrees to deepen ties with Iran central bank

The agreement is hoped to boost bilateral trade and include training for Iranian central bankers

Nearly 65% of GCC expats do not have a pension

GCC expats are far behind their counterparts in North America, Europe and Asia when it comes to retirement planning, finds survey

Abu Dhabi’s Waha Capital seeks investments in Saudi Arabia

The company secured a $500m credit facility in August and has around $163.4m in cash to invest

Saudi Aramco plans $2bn debut bond – report

The sale comes ahead of the firm’s planned 2018 IPO

Gulf millionaires see regional economy worsening in 2017 – report

The region’s wealthy forecast flat or declining economic performance this year

Bahrain’s GFH appoints new chairman, to focus on M&A

The company has targeted numerous mergers and acquisitions, including Dubai’s Shuaa Capital

Moody’s lifts Saudi banking system outlook

Measures of stress in the Saudi financial system have fallen sharply

Citigroup CEO meets with Alwaleed, eyes return to Saudi

The banking group is seeking a return to the kingdom to capitalise on financial reforms, according to reports

Bahrain’s GFH says it may merge with Dubai’s Shuaa Capital

A merger of the two firms would form a group with a market capitalisation of about $2.5bn

Investors bet on Shuaa-GFH merger

Shares in both companies have surged since Sunday

Japan’s Abe seeks Saudi support for Aramco listing in Tokyo

New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Toronto, besides Tokyo, are vying for what could be the world’s largest IPO

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital to acquire Integrated Capital and Securities

The deal is expected to close in the coming weeks

UAE’s Union National Bank to open China branch, expand in Egypt

National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Emirates NBD have also set up representative offices in China

Profit at Abu Dhabi's Mubadala climbs 12.4%

SoftBank plans Arm stake sale to secure Abu Dhabi backing for $100bn fund

Mubadala has reportedly requested an Arm stake forms part of SoftBank’s Vision Fund

GCC countries to announce VAT framework within 10 days

Gulf countries are expected to confirm domestic legislation shortly after the framework is released, according to reports

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank considering dollar sukuk issue

The lender could potentially issue in May this year

Dubai Financial Market launches ETF trading platform

The platform launched with one ETF from Afkar Capital

Profit at Abu Dhabi's Mubadala climbs 12.4%

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala sells part stake in Advanced Micro Devices

Mubadala sold 45 million shares in AMD for around $613m

Emirates NBD to list Islamic REIT fund on Nasdaq Dubai

The firm will use its proceeds to fund acquisitions of real estate assets

Qatar tells banks to obey new FX limits by April 1

The central bank plans to introduce a ceiling on total foreign currency positions

Millions of Saudi citizens, residents not yet provided medical insurance

Authorities estimate that about 2.5 million Saudi citizens are working in the private sector without medical cover

Saudi sovereign fund PIF eyes stakes in German tech, finance companies

Any stakes would be no greater than 10 per cent

New Saudi SME stock market surges on first day

On their first day of trade, all seven Parallel Market stocks soared 20 per cent

Saudi accuses 32 people of spying for Iran

Saudi’s finance ministry names new head of public debt office

Ayman Alsayari was deputy governor for investment at Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority

Commercial Bank of Qatar posts 99% drop in Q4 profit

The bank has struggled with a rise in bad loans

Saudi Aramco recruits JPMorgan, M.Stanley for IPO, eyes Chinese investors

Up to 5 per cent of the world’s largest oil producer is likely to be listed