Serbia Seeks To Borrow Up To $3 Billion From UAE – Official

The money will be used to repay “the most difficult debts” and regurgitate the economy, said Serbia’s deputy prime minister.

SocGen Avoiding Goldman Missteps With $300m Sukuk Plan

Goldman Sachs tried to follow HSBC in late 2011 with a $2 billion sukuk programme, but Islamic scholars and analysts questioned whether the bank was obeying religious principles.

UAE “Does Not Have To Provide Citizenships”

While global trends are indicative of more countries offering citizenships, the UAE is not dependant on citizenships to attract investment.

Ex-Barclays Team Plans London-Based Islamic Asset Firm

Arabesque is due to open to investors in the first quarter of 2014 and will focus on value-based investment strategies.

Mashreq CEO – ‘Credit Bureau Will Stop Banks Lending For 6-12 Months’

Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair says new data body will highlight the number of debt-burdened consumers in the UAE.

Al Hilal Bank Eyes Sukuk Issue In Q4

The five-year-old Islamic bank was assigned its first credit ratings earlier this week.

Dubai’s Mashreq Raises 2013 Profit Forecast

Mashreq chief executive Abdulaziz al-Ghurair had said in February that he was optimistic about the bank’s performance this year.

UAE Banks’ Net Profit To Rise 20%

Total assets of UAE banks grew eight per cent to Dhs1.9 trillion in the first six months of this year, while net profit during the period was Dhs13.6 billion.

StanChart Appoints MENA CEO As Head Of Islamic Arm

Christos Papadopoulos will lead the bank’s expansion in sharia-compliant banking.

ME Insurance M&A Activity At All Time Low

Transactions in the Middle East between July 2012 and June 2013 dropped to nine deals as compared to 13 in the previous year.

Dubai Holding Investment Unit Extends $1.2bn Loan

The loan is related to Dubai Holding Investment Group’s acquisition of a 9.9 per cent stake in U.S. hedge fund Och-Ziff Capital in 2007.

Abu Dhabi’s First Gulf Bank To Cut About 300 Jobs

The lender is reducing nearly 10 per cent of its workforce as part of a restructuring, according to sources.

UAE Markets Surge After Russia Offer On Syria

Dubai’s index jumps five per cent to 2,441 points in early trade

Qatar To Convert $2bn Egypt Central Bank Deposit Into Bonds

Qatar sent Egypt $3 billion in May of which it converted $1 billion into three-year bonds.

Lack Of Governance Affects Islamic Finance Growth In ME

Experts said that the Islamic finance industry is estimated to grow rapidly and more than double in the next four years.

UAE Start-up Careem Receives $1.7m Funding

The transportation technology company received the investment in a round led by STC Ventures.

Bahrain’s Al Salam Bank Agrees Share-Swap Merger With BMI Bank

Islamic lender Al Salam will exchange 11 of its shares for each BMI Bank share.

United Arab Bank Signs Three-Year FC Barcelona Deal

The bank will serve as the club’s official partner in the UAE and plans create a range of Barca-themed products for local fans.

No Date Yet On Saudi Bourse Opening Up To Foreign Investors

Officials are still discussing the issue, says head of the Capital Market Authority

Qatar Central Bank To Issue $1.1bn In Local Currency Bonds, Sukuk

The debt, to be issued next week, will include three-year and five-year tranches.

Dubai’s Arabtec CEO Boosts Personal Stake Above 8%

Hasan Abdullah Ismaik’s stake in the construction company is worth about $159 million based on Wednesday’s closing share price.

Dubai Duty Free Names Banks To Arrange $750m Expansion Loan

The facility will be arranged by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD and Standard Chartered.

Egypt Says Ready To Repay $2bn Qatari Loan In Days If Necessary

The funds were supposed to be converted into three-year bonds.

Dubai’s Stock Market Touches 8-Week Low On Syria Fears

The index fell 3.7 per cent to close at 2,397 points, its lowest finish since July 11.

Barclays Decides To Sell UAE Retail Bank After Review

The potential sale may impact up to 280 employees, a source said.

Ex-Merrill Lynch Banker Sets Up Boutique Consultancy In Dubai

Ziad Awad, a veteran investment banker with nearly 20 years of experience, is setting up Boardroom Metrics Arabia.

Dubai Shares Fall On Syria Ballistic Object Report

The index, which fell as much as 5.2 per cent is now down 2.6 per cent.

UAE’s Built Assets Worth $1 Trillion

The average built asset wealth per person across Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE is $112,842, the study found.

Franklin Templeton Launches New GCC Bond Fund

The new fund will provide investors access to the GCC’s growing bond market.

Qatar Bolstering SWF Team To Diversify Portfolio

The $100 billion-plus sovereign fund is scouting for opportunities in Asia and the United States.