Gulf rises on strong oil; Dubai tests chart barrier

Dubai’s stock index was up 1.0 per cent at 3,694 points after an hour

Kuwait says controls gas flaring from disruption at Mina Ahmadi refinery

The refinery, the country’s largest is now operating normally, KNPC said

Government support key for Islamic finance growth in UAE – experts

The UAE has been ranked as having the world’s second most developed Islamic economy ecosystem following Malaysia

Citi appoints new CEO for Bahrain business

Usman Ahmed will also head the bank’s Islamic investment banking division

UAE’s Abraaj raises $191m for Mexico investment

The publicly traded certificates will be used to invest in mid-sized Mexican businesses that have strong growth potential

Different Arab money

GCC pension funds worth $397bn, represent $15,000 per national

New EY report urges GCC governments to relook at existing pension fund models to ensure they are sustainable

UAE bank ADIB has no further capital plans – CEO

The official said the bank would grow by “mid-single-digits” in 2015 and its capital was sufficient for this level

UAE power plant JV may issue project bond in 2016

The offering from Emirates SembCorp Water & Power could raise up to $350m

Saudi central bank foreign assets fall 1% in August

Assets shrank 11.2 per cent from a year earlier to their lowest level since February 2013

Saudi to convert state real estate fund into bank

After its conversion the Real Estate Development Fund will offer financing in cooperation with the private sector, a statement said

Dubai Holding’s net profit up 24% in H1 2015

The company earned around Dhs 2.6bn in net profits during the first half of this year

UAE’s GDP to grow 3.5% in 2015

The growth in the economy has been attributed to the country’s diversification efforts

Qatar central bank chief cools rate rise talk, says won’t follow U.S.

The official said that liquidity in Qatar’s banking system remained ample and that demand for T-bills was still strong

Mideast funds heavily favour UAE equities in region

Survey finds 53 per cent of fund managers expect to raise equity allocations to the UAE in the next three months

Kuwait to seek private investment in $36bn projects

The Gulf state recently introduced a new law designed to facilitate public-private partnerships

StanChart aims to hire financial crime compliance staff in Middle East

The bank is hiring a head of sanctions for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan

UAE salaries predicted to rise by 5% in 2016

Inflation also expected to fall to around 2.7 per cent, report finds

Qatar Investment Authority commits to $35bn US investment

The fund also announced the opening of its first office in the country

Gulf Related secures Dhs 2.3bn financing for Al Maryah Central

Under the deal, a portion of the mixed-use retail development will be funded by ADCB

UAE August inflation rises to 4.9%, highest since February 2009

UAE consumer inflation rose 4.9 per cent year-on year in August while it rose 0.9 per cent month-on-month

Gulf countries will stick to currency dollar-pegs, Fitch says

Gulf currencies pegged to the US dollar have come under pressure but Fitch said that the decision to remove the pegs will most likely be political

UAE’s Emirates NBD says affiliate mulls IPO

Emirates NBD did not provide any more details of the potential offer

UAE’s DAMAC says unit raises $100m via sukuk certificates

The certificates, rated BB by Standard & Poors, were issued by its unit Damac Real Estate Development Ltd

Dubai property firms can weather current market correction – S&P

The real estate entities rated by S&P have “sufficient headroom in their credit ratios” to handle the slowdown, the agency said

Exclusive: UK subsidiary of Nigeria’s Access Bank to open Dubai office

The bank aims to help facilitate investments from the Gulf region into Africa, primarily Nigeria, says CEO

UAE financial officers fear skills shortage

Financiers are concerned their talent will be lured away by the “attractiveness” of Western markets, survey finds

Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala reports 53.4% drop in first half net profit

Gains from financial investments failed to offset lower income from disposals and higher costs

Saudi Arabia says six credit agencies apply for licences

The kingdom issued new regulations governing credit agencies’ operations in Saudi Arabia last year

Emirates NBD to offer banking services via Twitter

The service will allow customers to tweet the bank for enquiries about their current or savings account and credit cards

Etihad Airways Partners to raise at least $500m via bond

Price guidance for the five-year bond was maintained in the area of 7 per cent