Dubai Govt Launches Dhs600m SME Fund For Emirati Entrepreneurs

The fund will offer between Dhs50,000 and Dhs5 million to start-ups and existing businesses in Dubai.

Dubai’s Financial Court System Seeking Ties With China

Discussions had begun with court officials in Shanghai confirmed DIFC Courts’ Registrar Mark Beer.

Saudi Market Regulator Halts PetroRabigh Shares For Disclosure Rule Breach

The suspension would remain in place until the company meets regulatory requirements on disclosure, the CMA said.

UAE Bank NBAD Targets Africa, Asia For Wealth Management Growth

NBAD has been focusing on growing its fee-paying businesses such as wealth management as it aims to offset high levels of competition in traditional banking products.

Biggest Gulf Hedge Fund Launch For 5 Years Eyes Ethical Bets

Kothari Investment Partners is looking to appeal to a broader investment base, including ethical investors in Europe.

Dubai Refiner ENOC Marketing $1.5bn Long-Term Underwritten Loan – Sources

The syndication phase was launched on Wednesday and will allow additional lenders to join in the facility.

Abraaj Says Completes Investment With TPG In Saudi’s Kudu

The deal is a first in the region for TPG, which manages about $65 billion of capital.

Qatar Lends Palestinians $100m To Pay Salaries

Palestine is in the midst of an economic crisis triggered by a row with Israel over taxes.

US Firm Apollo Plans To Expand Into Mideast Via Dubai Joint Venture

Apollo is the world’s third-largest alternative asset manager after Blackstone Group and Carlyle Group.

Banque Saudi Fransi Q1 Net Profit Rises 22.7%, Beats Forecasts

The bank attributed its rise in net profit to an increase in total operating income.

Qatar National Bank Q1 Net Profit Up 10.1%, Beats Forecast

The bank reported a net profit of $741.7 million for the first quarter of 2015.

Dubai’s ICD Acquires Stakes In Three Hotels

The fund’s latest acquisitions include the W Hotel in Washington D.C., a majority stake in New York’s Mandarin Oriental and minority stake in One&Only Cape Town.

Saudi’s Jarir Marketing Q1 Net Profit Rises 22.7%, Beats Forecasts

It made a net profit of SAR247 million in the three months to March 31.

IMF Sees Low Potential Economic Growth Around World

Potential growth was already slowing in richer economies before the financial crisis due to aging populations and a drop in technological innovation.

No UAE Government Bond Law Before Year End -Official

A formal law could help develop the country’s bond market and cover any future budget deficits due to low oil prices.

Standard Chartered UAE CEO Becomes Latest Executive To Depart

Nathani will remain at the bank during his notice period and ensure a smooth transition to a successor, the lender said.

IMF Endorses Islamic Finance, Warns It Must Be Implemented Better

The lender has urged Islamic finance sector to design proper rules and implement them consistently.

Dubai’s Pacific Control Systems Raises Dhs1bn In 72-Month Loans

The syndication was a mix of conventional and Islamic financing structures, a bourse filing said.

Kuwait Fund To Lend Egypt $1.5bn Over Next Five Years

Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have provided billions of dollars of aid to Egypt in the past two years.

Saudi’s Riyad Bank Q1 Net Profit Rises 8.6%

The bank said it made $312 million in the three months to March 31.

Kuwait’s Aayan Seeks Rescheduling Of $586.7m Debt

As part of the restructuring plan, Aayan plans to liquidate some of its portfolio of listed Kuwaiti companies.

Saudi’s Almarai Q1 Profit Gains 12% On Higher Sales

The firm made a profit of SAR306.5 million ($81.7 million) during the first quarter of 2015.

Saudi Poultry Firm Al Watania Plans Stock Market Float – Sources

Bankers will make formal presentations to the company this month and Al Watania will decide on who will advise it on its Saudi listing by May.

UAE Joins Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

The UAE follows a number of other Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar that have flocked to join the new Asian bank.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Sets Price, Ratio For OMR45m Rights Issue

The lender received shareholder approval for the offering on March 30.

Stock News: Dubai Leads Gulf Markets Up After Iran Nuclear Deal

The main Dubai stock index climbed 1.6 per cent in early trade on Sunday.

Abu Dhabi Industrial Group Senaat Posts 5% Profit Rise In 2014

Senaat’s revenue increased by 16 per cent to Dhs13.4 billion in 2014.

Saudi Bank Aljazira Names Advisers For $800m Rights Issue

The rights issue will be used to strengthen its capital base and finance its activities, the bank said.

Senegal President Asks Saudi-Based IDB To Help Organise Sukuk Bond

Senegal aims to issue between $500 million and $1 billion in debt on international markets this year.

Middle East Funds Moving To Cash As Risks Rise -Survey

It is the first time since the survey was launched in September 2013 that the bears outweigh the bulls for both equities and fixed income simultaneously.