Gulf markets steady as investors await Greek referendum

Oil prices also subdued stock markets after Brent crude slid $1.75 to $60.32 a barrel on Friday

DIFC starts work on $205m building in Gate Village

The new building will have a total built-up area of 200,000 square feet and will comprise of retail and F&B units along with office space

UAE to finish drafting corporate tax, VAT laws this quarter

Authorities are still evaluating the social and economic impact of the laws, but drafting was expected to be finished “very soon, an official said

Saudi economy accelerates in Q1, may not be sustained

Gross domestic product, adjusted for inflation, grew 2.4 per cent from a year earlier in the first quarter

Dubai’s Drake & Scull increases GCC ownership limit to 100%

Nationals from the UAE currently hold 51.02 per cent of the company’s stock, with the remaining GCC nations owning 5.85 per cent

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA says not holding merger talks

The company “confirms that it is not engaged in merger discussions with any government or other entity”, it said in a statement to the bourse

Kuwait parliament approves budget with $27bn deficit

The budget for the year features spending of KD19.17bn and revenues of KD12.2bn, assuming an average oil price of $45 a barrel

Oman central bank sets up Islamic banking department

The creation of a separate Islamic banking department will clear the way to develop the industry in the country

Saudi’s Alwaleed to give $32bn to charity in coming years

Prince Alwaleed said some of the donated wealth will include his personal stake in his investment firm Kingdom Holding

Top 10 countries with best residence-by-investment schemes

The UAE ranked 15th in an index rating countries’ residency-in-return-for-investment programmes

Saudi central bank May net foreign reserves drop 1% to $672bn

Assets dropped by 8.1 per cent from a year earlier to their lowest level since April 2013, central bank data showed

Abu Dhabi finance zone gears up to open with draft rules

The drafts will be available for public comment over a six-week period, and the zone plans to accept its first applications for financial service operating licences by the end of this year

Saudi regulator maintains Mobily shares halt until restated financials disclosed

Mobily shares have been suspended since June, when the market regulator halted trading until the operator disclosed the financial impact of an investigation into its accounts.

Mubadala buys into Trafigura’s Spanish mines as part of new venture

For Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, the purchase is part of a push to invest in assets other than oil.

Dubai’s Limitless to pay $564m to creditors, nears debt plan assent

The cash payment will be funded by the sale of part of its land bank in Saudi Arabia, the company said

Stock news: Gulf markets fall on Greece turmoil

Dubai’s stock index slid 1.3 per cent, heading for a second straight daily close below its 200-day average

Dubai Holding appoints new managing director, CEO

The current CEO Ahmad Bin Byat has been promoted to vice-chairman and managing director while COO Fadel Al Ali will take over as CEO

Saudi’s Almarai gets final $210.6m bakery fire compensation

The Saudi Arabian company had already received SAR 250m from Arabian Shield Cooperative Insurance Co in late March

HSBC Bank Oman agrees to sell Pakistan business to Meezan Bank

The deal is expected to be completed during the second half of 2015, the bank said in a statement

French group to invest at least $150m in Saudi’s Kingdom Holding

Aeroports de Paris, insurer AXA and construction group Eiffage are among the companies in the consortium led by France’s Caisse des Depots (CDC).

France, Saudi Arabia seeking to sign deals worth $12bn

The countries set up a joint committee in May to finalise some 20 projects across sectors ranging from defence to transport infrastructure

Al Masah Capital’s F&B unit buys Johnny Rockets franchisee

The private equity firm acquired Al Faris Restaurant, which operates the Johnny Rockets franchise in the UAE and Oman.

UAE bank NBF expects market-leading loan growth this year

The bank is expecting to see a double-digit growth in loans this year, the CEO said.

Oman central bank approves Ominvest, ONIC Holding merger

The assent was granted at a board of governors’ meeting on Monday, a statement said.

ABN Amro says Dubai employee dismissed for misconduct

The bank said the employee had received about $100,000 from a client and transferred it through his personal account to a third account

UAE’s Etisalat says will allow foreign share ownership

The telecoms firm is lifting a ban on foreign ownership of its shares, with a new cap set at 20 per cent of its stock

Abu Dhabi’s crown prince is new chairman of investment fund ADIC

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan replaces President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan at the head of the fund

Kuwait’s Investment Dar loses appeal against lifting of legal protection

The company is seeking to agree a $2.69bn debt restructuring plan with investors

Dubai records highest inflation rate since 2009 in May

Housing and utility costs, which made up 44 per cent of all expenses, rose 7.8 per cent year-on-year

Oman, Japan ink deal to promote joint investments

The deal is expected to increase Japanese investments in Oman