Saudis say to jointly invest up to $10bn with Russian fund

No details have been disclosed as yet about where or when the joint investments would be made

UAE, US sign tax agreement

As per the law, all financial institutions in the UAE are now required to disclose information about financial accounts held by US citizens

France’s Natixis to make Dubai capital markets hub for Mideast, Africa

In the past two years, Natixis has increased staffing levels in Dubai by around 50 per cent to 45 people

UAE launches new state bank to push housing, job creation policies

Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Development Bank has been created by the merger of Emirates Industrial Bank and Emirates Real Estate Bank

Dubai among world’s top 25 most expensive cities

Dubai and Abu Dhabi were also ranked most expensive cities for expats in the Middle East, according to a new survey

Private wealth in the UAE to grow by 10.7% in five years

Private wealth in the UAE is estimated to reach $1 trillion by 2019, boosted by buoyant equity markets and a growing economy, a new study shows.

UAE’s Gulf Finance Corp to raise up to Dhs 600m syndicated loan

Gulf Finance, part of Dubai’s Shuaa Capital, provides finance to small and mid-sized firms in the UAE.

Qatar’s secretive sovereign fund to restructure, say sources

The restructuring comes as the drop in oil prices crimped available funds as competition for assets grows

Saudi bourse CEO sees flurry of foreign investor licenses soon

Saudi’s market regulator has said foreign institutions can buy stocks directly from June 15, but it has not so far announced the award of any licences

Saudi opening may be non-event with no licences awarded yet

Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has indicated it does not want or expect large, sudden fund inflows

Abu Dhabi’s new financial freezone starts accepting licence applications

Abu Dhabi Global Market is preparing for its launch in the second half of 2015

Saudi Arabia to reconsider applying Nitaqat system in select sectors

The government said that it will rethink quotas in some sectors which failed to attract citizens due to the nature of work involved

Different Arab money

Sovereign wealth funds turn to internal fund management

Sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East have the highest return expectations of sovereign funds globally

Buyout firm Arcapita sells $640m US real estate portfolio

The portfolio includes 16 facilities and 4,000 residential units for continuing senior care, the company said in a statement.

DIFC announces 10-year plan, says will triple in size by 2024

The financial free zone hopes that Dubai’s financial sector will raise its GDP contribution to 18 per cent over the next 10 years

GCC countries need to slash public spending – World Bank

Budgets have been buckling under the pressure of bloated public sectors and lavish welfare spending since oil prices dropped last year.

Dubai’s non-oil business growth picks up but still weak

Construction was the best performing sector in terms of output and employment growth in May, a new survey shows

Qatar cuts 2015 GDP growth forecast, sees deficit in 2016

Oil prices remain a key risk to the outlook, which is based on average prices of $56.0 and $61.6 per barrel in 2015 and 2016 respectively

Qatar buys $1.2 bn HK Electric stake from Li Ka-shing’s firms

Power Assets said it sold a 16.53 per cent stake in HK Electric but will remain as the controlling shareholder of the power supplier

Kuwait to table corporate tax bill in 2 years – finance minister

The minister expects the rate for international firms to fall and the levy on local companies to rise

UAE may give central bank role in setting monetary policy – governor

The government currently takes most decisions regarding the UAE’s monetary policy.

Cheap oil to push UAE into first fiscal deficit since 2009 -IMF

The UAE’s consolidated fiscal balance is expected to swing to a deficit of 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product in 2015 from a 5.0 per cent surplus last year, the IMF said.

Egypt’s EFG-Hermes plans Saudi Islamic fund as market opens up

EFG-Hermes says nearly a third of its $3 billion of assets under management is in Saudi Arabia, with $265 million managed by its Saudi unit.

Mubadala GE joint venture says looks at options for future structure

The joint venture was studying options in the wake of the U.S. conglomerate’s decision to exit most of its GE Capital operations.

Foreign firms wary of Saudi expansion on opening up of bourse

Regulatory obstacles and uncertainty about the size of fund inflows are deterring foreign firms from undertaking any quick build-up in their staffing and office space in Riyadh.

Emaar Properties trims Egypt listing price, sees up to $334m float

The flotation will involve 600 million shares, equivalent to 12.99 per cent of the company, offered at a price between 3.5 pounds and 4.25 pounds.

Low oil prices, regional tensions dent business confidence in the UAE

A new survey found a large quarter-on-quarter dip in UAE hiring during Q1 2015.

Saudi may issue government bonds this year -IMF official

Bond issues are being considered after global oil prices plunged last year.

Emirates NBD expects 12-15% growth in retail business in 2015

Oil price volatility is not expected to impact Emirates NBD’s retail growth estimates, a senior official said.

UAE non-oil business growth slows marginally in May – PMI

Output growth rose to a three-month high index reading of 62.8 points in May but the increase in new orders fell.