​UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait raise interest rates after US Federal Reserve decision

The Fed decided to raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade yesterday

Economist urges GCC corporate and real estate taxes to boost revenues

Palestine’s former prime minister said additional taxes could help the government boost revenues during the period of low oil

DP World to invest $1.9bn in China

The announcement was made via Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s Twitter account

Nakheel makes Dhs 220m sukuk profit payment

The firm’s last profit payment on its Dhs 4.4bn sukuk was issued in June this year

UAE and China create $10bn investment fund

The joint fund will be managed and operated by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Company and two Chinese state entities

Fitch lowers GCC banks’ 2016 ratings to negative due to cheap oil

About 16 per cent of all ratings assigned to GCC banks were negative

Zurich to scale back general insurance business in Middle East

The Swiss insurer said that it will fully close its general insurance business in the Middle East by 2016

GCC digital-only banks more than two years away

An EY survey of GCC consumers found 64 per cent would feel comfortable switching to a digital-first bank

Government support key for making Dubai an Islamic finance hub, say CEOs

Islamic finance experts also push for standardised practices across the industry

Dubai regulator fines ABN AMRO $640,000 over money laundering rules

The Amsterdam-based lender was penalised after some of its staff were found to have engaged in practices that breached rules set by the regulator

Standard Chartered appoints Wynter as UAE head

Julian Wynter was group head of internal audit for the lender and has also held country head roles in Malaysia and Japan.

NCB Capital funds buy majority stake in major Saudi publisher

The new investors do not plan any changes to the overall “strategy of the company and have no plans to buy rest of the outstanding shares,” a statement said

Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding to sell Asharq al-Awsat publisher for $223.3m

Kingdom Holding did not disclose the identity of the buyer

Saudi deficit this year is “manageable” says foreign minister

The statement comes as Standard & Poors cut its ratings for Saudi Arabia’s long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit by one notch to ‘A-plus/A-1’

Saudi Arabia slams S&P decision to downgrade its debt

Standard & Poor’s cut its ratings for Saudi Arabia’s long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit

Middle East funds turn negative on equities

Low oil prices, instability in the global economy and the prospect of monetary tightening have hurt sentiment

Saudi advisory council to discuss land tax, MSCI inclusion

The Shura Council advises the government on legislation

Auditors, HR professionals in UAE to see highest salary rises in 2016

Average salaries for professional occupations are set to rise by 1.7 per cent next year, finds Robert Half report

Saudi foreign assets fall to their lowest since 2012

Net foreign assets at Saudi Arabia’s central bank fell 1.2 per cent from the previous month in September

Saudi public spending slowdown will impact banks – Moody’s

Moderation in government spending will slow credit growth, tighten funding and weaken asset quality

Qatar Investment Authority backs $8.6bn New York development

The Qatari fund has acquired a 44 per cent stake in the Manhattan West project from Brookfield Property Partners

Emirates Global Aluminium in talks for $5bn loan to refinance debt – sources

The company is seeking funds to refinance loans taken for the Emal projects, sources said

Tight liquidity may force UAE bank NBAD to raise borrowing rates -CEO

Rising rates might also impact the bank’s third quarter earnings, the lender’s chief executive said

Dubai’s Emaar Malls Q3 net profit rises 17%

Emaar Malls made a net profit of Dhs 376m in the three months to Sept. 30

RAKBank launches Elite tier

The new premium banking offering will provide customers with a dedicated relationship manager available 24/7

Bulgaria calls Omani claim over bank collapse ‘groundless’

Oman’s State General Reserve Fund (SGRF) has taken Bulgaria to arbitration at the Washington-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes

Sheikh Mohammed says UAE to be a ‘beacon of stability’ in Middle East

The UAE will look towards realising the goals of its Vision 2021, the Dubai ruler said

Higher net interest income helps Emirates NBD’s Q3 net profit rise 7%

The lender made a net profit of Dhs 1.67bn ($454.71m) in the three months to Sept. 30, compared to Dhs 1.56bn in the same period in 2014

Planned stock market listings in Abu Dhabi held back by conditions

Low oil prices and regional turmoil are keeping volumes low on Abu Dhabi’s stock market

Oman, Japan to form $400m fund to invest in food sector

The fund will facilitate direct investment in GCC states by Japanese food and agribusiness firms