What can we expect from financial services across MENA in 2023?

There will be a lot of interest in fintech

Emirates NBD arranges Egypt sukuk

Emirates NBD arranges Egypt’s $1.5bn sukuk

Emirates NBD said that the sukuk received strong appetite from regional and global emerging market investors

ADNOC- Gas IPO

ADNOC Gas eyes $2bn from world’s biggest IPO this year

ADNOC is selling a 4 per cent stake in ADNOC Gas, with each of the 3.07 billion shares being offered at between Dhs2.25 and 2.43

Abu Dhabi Fund _photo courtesy WAM Wam

How Abu Dhabi Fund’s first development project in Nigeria will serve the community

The project is expected to stimulate commercial activities and improve transport links between the main cities in the country

DIFC aims to attract 50 hedge funds to Dubai photo courtesy Dubai Media Office twitter

Dubai’s DIFC in talks to attract 50 hedge funds

Dubai International Financial Centre is offering reduced licensing fees and capital requirements for hedge funds domiciling a domestic fund

ADGM signs MoU with Zand Bank

Abu Dhabi Global Market, Zand Bank join hands to support SMEs

The entities will jointly drive UAE national work placements and offer finance training, SME financing platforms, a fintech sandbox and corporate innovation programmes

Azerbaijan Banks Association - UBF sign MoU

UAE’s UBF, Azerbaijan Banks Association sign MoU to boost sectoral cooperation

The two parties will jointly organise workshops, training and awareness programmes to exchange knowledge and experience

Dubai’s DIFC registers highest revenue in history

Dubai’s DIFC registers highest ever revenue in 2022

The financial centre registered the highest number of new firms – totalling 1,084 – last year

Power Letters 2023: Mohammed Qasim Al Ali, group chief executive officer, National Bonds

Power Letters 2023: Mohammed Qasim Al Ali, group chief executive officer, National Bonds

At the very core, we believe economic and social stability stems from a financially secure population

UAE and Egypt sign Mpu to figth money laundering Photo courtesy WAM

UAE, Egypt sign MoU to support fight against money laundering, terrorism financing

As part of the agreement, training courses, seminars and conferences will be convened to raise awareness and understanding of AML/CTF 

ADNOC Gas

ADNOC Gas announces intent to list 4% stake on ADX

More than three billion shares will be offered in the IPO

How Dubai's AIX Investment Group is forging sports partnerships to propel growth

Cover story: How Dubai’s AIX Investment Group is forging sports partnerships to propel growth

Establishing alliances beyond the traditional realm of finance are expected to yield promising returns for the advisory firm. And the returns may not be only monetary in nature

Dr. Ryan Lemand on benefits of financial crime enforcement in the UAE

Opinion: The impact of UAE’s strengthened financial crime enforcement

The UAE has been investing and setting up regulatory bodies specialising in financial crime, particularly, the Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Finance

Arada raises$50m from second tap of existing $450m sukuk

Sharjah’s Arada raises $50m from second tap of existing $450m sukuk

The second tap was executed based on investor feedback and inquiries, following extensive roadshows across the UK and GCC

RAKBANK records net profit rise of 53.4% to Dhs1.16bn in 2022

RAKBANK records net profit rise of 53.4% to Dhs1.16bn in 2022

The bank’s total income for 2022 was Dhs3.451bn, reflecting a 6.9 per cent YoY increase

Dubai-Islamic-Bank-sustainable sukuk e1643183109370

Dubai Islamic Bank successfully prices $1bn sustainable sukuk, its second so far

In November last year, DIB priced its inaugural sustainable sukuk, a $750m five-year senior issue with a profit rate of 5.493 per cent per annum

PIF acquires 30 % stake in Saudi tabreed-800x533-1

Public Investment Fund acquires 30% stake in Saudi Tabreed

Saudi Tabreed currently manages 779,000 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) via contracts with major companies in Saudi Arabia

Boursa Kuwait reports 13.3% rise in 2022 net profit

Its operating profit for the 2022 financial year came in at $73.8m, increasing 22 per cent

PIF second green bond issue _ pexels-pixabay-356036

Saudi Arabia’s PIF raises $5.5bn from sale of second green bond

The fund will allocate an amount equalling the net proceeds of the issuance to fund eligible green projects in line with its Green Finance Framework

Central bank of UAE launches FIT Programme

Central Bank of UAE launches Financial Infrastructure Transformation Programme

The first stage of the programme will see the launch of the Card Domestic Scheme, an instant payments platform, and the issuance of Central Bank Digital Currency

OPEC FUnd, AFC sign $50m loan image Getty for illustrative purposes

OPEC Fund, Africa Finance Corporation sign $50m loan to finance infrastructure development

The loan doubles the OPEC Fund’s commitment to AFC following an initial $50m 10-year loan provided in January 2021

Abu dhabi Exports Office, Angola sign green finance agreements Photo WAM

Abu Dhabi Exports Office, Angola ink green finance deals worth Dhs445m

The financing is provided in cooperation with Standard Chartered Bank

Dubai's DIFC enacts new regulations for family-owned businesses

Dubai’s DIFC enacts new regulations for family-owned businesses, UHNWIs

The new rules provide guidelines for family businesses holding assets and operating in or from DIFC, in support of their succession and legacy planning for future generations

ESG investing in the MENA region

Insights: Maximising the potential of ESG investing in the MENA region

Investors in the region could be missing a big opportunity, as investment firms globally are facing increasing demand for ESG investment products that integrate thematic ESG strategies and comply with regulatory requirements

Emirates Islamic issues dirham denominated sukuk

UAE’s Emirates Islamic issues dirham-denominated sukuk valued at Dhs1bn

The three-year issue witnessed robust demand and was oversubscribed by 2.5 times

Dubai's VARA introduces regulations for 2023_Dubai-Media-Office-twitter

Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority issues regulations for 2023

As the authority providing VA oversight across Dubai with the exception of DIFC, VARA facilitates VA-associated economic stability, investor protection, and jurisdictional resilience

Aramco’s venture capital arm expands investment fund to $500m

Aramco’s venture capital arm expands investment fund to $500m

Aramco has allocated $300m in additional funds to Wa’ed Ventures

Investopia

UAE’s Investopia signs partnership with Emirates Development Bank

Both entities will leverage their core competencies to drive economic growth, diversification and industrial transformation

Saudi's King Salman appoints new central bank governor

Saudi’s King Salman appoints new central bank governor

Former governor, Dr Fahd Al-Mubarak, takes on the role of adviser at the royal court

Bal Krishen Rathore

Power Letters 2023: Bal Krishen Rathore, chairman and CEO, Century Financial

Inflation and interest rate forecasts will remain crucial in 2023