UAE debt runaway cases up 200% in 2016

A total of 814 runaway cases were recorded in the emirates by the end of Q4, according to Coface

Saudi finance minister says efficiency initiative saves SAR80bn

The ministry has also set up a mechanism to reimburse contractors within 60 days

Dubai’s Emirates NBD targets millennials with digital banking service Liv.

The bank also hopes to roll Liv. out over the next year or so to Saudi Arabia and Egypt

Abu Dhabi bank NBAD to offer cross-border blockchain payments

The bank is offering blockchain payments after partnering with US-based Ripple

National Bank of Abu Dhabi Q4 profit jumps ahead of FGB merger

Abu Dhabi’s largest lender saw higher lending fees and insurance sales

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Q4 profit drops 16% on impairments

The emirate’s second-largest bank by assets made a net profit attributable to shareholders of Dhs1bn

Saudi Cabinet gives final approval for 5% VAT

VAT will be implemented across the GCC from early next year

Gulf states could save $165bn of CAPEX by involving private sector – report

Strategy& said private sector participation and the privatisation of state assets could save hundreds of billions of dollars

Abu Dhabi lender Al Hilal Bank’s CEO steps down

Al Hilal’s CFO Craig Bell will assume the position of acting CEO

UAE residents found it harder to get loans in 2016 – report

The number of UAE residents applying for personal loans dropped in 2016

MSCI says it welcomes Saudi stock market reforms

MSCi said it could launch in June a review of whether to include Saudi in its emerging market index

Saudi Shoura Council rejects proposal to tax expat remittances

The proposal included a 6 per cent tax on expat remittances

Dubai’s Mashreq Q4 net profit slides 20.7%

The lender made a net profit of Dhs441m in the three months to December 31

Dubai Islamic Bank Q4 net profit rises 58.4%, targets 2017 loan growth

The bank made Dhs1.37bn ($373m) in the three months to December 31

UAE mid-level managers paid an average of $95,120 per year – report

Saudi Arabia was found to have the second highest gross salaries in the MEA region

Abu Dhabi merges Mubadala, IPIC to create $125bn fund, CEO appointed

The new fund, Mubadala Investment, will be run by CEO Khaldoon al-Mubarak

Regional start-ups struggle to get ‘smart money’ from investors

Securing funds remains a hurdle for entrepreneurs looking to get their initiative off the ground

UAE’s Abraaj makes first direct investment in Chile

Abraaj bought a majority stake in Chilean home designer Casaideas

UAE-based Abraaj says has invested about $3bn in Africa

Abraaj has invested in more than 40 African companies spanning healthcare, mining and dairy

First 4 firms approved to list on Saudi’s parallel market

Applications from 77 other firms are being reviewed

Saudi Binladin seeks extension on SAR10bn Grand Mosque financing

Contractors in Saudi Arabia have had to deal with delays to projects and late payment

Qatar central bank sells QAR15bn in domestic bonds

This is Qatar’s first domestic government debt offer this year

Emirates NBD Q4 net profit dips 13%

The bank reported a 2 per cent rise in annual net profit for 2016

Qatar National Bank eyes SE Asia growth after Q4 profit rises

QNB completed the 2.7bn euro purchase of Finansbank, Turkey’s fifth-largest private lender, in 2016

Investment Corporation of Dubai invests in Swiss banking app Centralway Numbrs

Centralway Numbrs CEO Martin Saidler said the company planned to use the backing to roll out new features

Saudi bourse aims to extend trading settlement time before MSCI review

MSCI will decide in June whether to review Saudi for inclusion in its emerging market index

Different Arab money

Oman in talks with GCC states for multi-billion dollar deposit

The talks are at an early stage but “signs so far are positive”, a source said

DIFC, Accenture launch new fintech accelerator in Dubai

The new initiative, called FinTech Hive, will focus on providing mentorship to start-ups and entrepreneurs

Dubai reveals new public parking rates for commercial areas

December business conditions improve in Dubai but little job growth

Emirates NBD noted a jump in construction activity and sentiment during the month but relatively little job growth

Saudi bourse to start T+2 settlement in Q2

The move is part of a drive to attract more foreign investment