Dubai’s ICD Launches $2bn Loan Refinancing

The five-year senior unsecured financing will replace the remaining $2 billion five-year tranche of an original $6 billion loan.

Qatar’s CBQ To Buy 71% Of Turkey’s Alternatifbank

The value of the transaction is seen at around $460 million.

Mobius Wants To Double Investments in Saudi Arabia

Veteran emerging markets investor Mark Mobius remains bullish on the Middle East region.

Qatar To Increase FIFA 2022 Spending In 2013

Government spending related to the World Cup will hit almost $115 billion between now and 2022, says new study.

Saudi Electricity Picks Banks For Dollar Sukuk Sale

Saudi Electric last tapped the international bond market in March 2012 with a $1.75 billion two-part Sukuk.

UAE Central Bank Orders Speedy Mortgage Review

The central bank has previously backed off from enforcing regulations after complaints from the banks.

Bahrain Central Bank Sees 4% GDP Growth

The forecast is lower than the Economic Development Board’s prediction last month of 6.2 per cent for 2013.

UAE Central Bank Says Discount Window On Track

Last September the central bank announced it would develop its monetary policy framework enabling banks to borrow intra-day and overnight funds.

Sovereign Wealth Funds To Hit Record $5.6 Trillion By Year-End

SWF assets grew eight per cent in 2012 to reach $5.2 trillion, says study.

UAE Central Bank Says Will Enforce Curbs On Risk

The regulator is looking to implement previously issued rules and policies.

Dubai Islamic Launches $1bn Tier 1 Sukuk

Arranging banks said order books totalled $14 billion, indicating massive demand for the deal.

Societe Generale’s Egypt Arm Net Income Up 3%

Last month Egypt’s financial regulator approved an offer by Qatar National Bank for NSGB.

Abu Dhabi In Nearly $7bn Oil Investment In Malaysia

The emirate has signed an agreement for a petroleum storage facility in Malaysia’s Johor state.

Saudi Binladin Group Meets Investors Ahead Of Sukuk Sale

The size and pricing of the sukuk will be decided during roadshows taking place over the next fortnight.

UK Government Promotes London As Islamic Finance Hub

More than $34 billion worth of Islamic bonds have been issued through the London Stock Exchange.

Nomura’s EMEA CEO To Leave Bank

John Phizackerley had previously said he planned to beef up staffing at the lender’s Dubai office.

Qatar Picks Sarkozy To Lead Wealth Fund

France’s ex-President would take a non-executive role to help direct where to invest $650 million.

Qatar Says $1bn Islamic Bank To Be Set Up “Soon”

Qatar signed an MoU with Islamic Development Bank and the Dallah Albaraka Group last year to establish a new international Islamic bank.

Qatar Says No More Aid To Egypt For Now

Qatar has been a key source of foreign aid to Egypt since its 2011 revolution giving $5 billion.

Emirates Airline Eyes 10 Year Sukuk Issue This Week

The sukuk, maturing 2023, will have an amortising structure, with an average weighted life of five years.

Dubai’s Index In Biggest Gain In 3 Weeks

Investors are starting to buy back into the emirate’s stocks following a recent slump.

Abraaj Buys Stake In Palestinian Games Firm

UAE-based Abraaj Capital invests undisclosed sum in Anoud Games through its Palestine Growth Capital Fund.

Emirates NBD Eyes Bond Sale To Repay Govt Funds

The bank will use the proceeds to repay part of the Dhs12.6 billion it received from the government in 2008, say sources.

Bahrain’s NBB, Pension Fund To Buy 51.6% In Islamic Lender

Based on Bahrain Islamic’s total outstanding shares, the value of the deal is about BD34.9 million.

Lebanon’s Revised 2013 Budget Sees $3.48bn Deficit

The revised version cuts spending by more than $1 billion from an earlier draft budget.

Qatar To Sell 4bn Riyals Of Three And Five Year Bonds

The Gulf state’s central bank will offer local banks 3 billion riyals worth of bonds and 1 billion riyals worth of Shariah-compliant notes.

Bank Muscat Picks Banks For Potential Bond

The meetings will start in Riyadh before going to Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland and London.

Wealth Fund Mumtalakat Eyes $150m Bahrain Investment In 2013

The fund has allocated $45 million for real estate projects and $42 million for tourism and hospitality schemes

Dubai’s Emirates Airline Plans Second Bond Sale This Year

Emirates has hired six banks to arrange a potential dollar-denominated, benchmark sukuk sale.

Dow Hits Record High, Surges Over 126 Points

The gains came as investors poured money into blue-chip stocks on signs of an improving US economy.