Saudi Booms But Closing Deals Is Challenging

While experts say the Kingdom is the best performing market in the region, they also warn investors to be patient while doing deals.

Banque Saudi Fransi sets up $2bn Sukuk

The bank reported a ten per cent year-on-year rise in first quarter profit earlier this year.

SABIC Sees Drop In Q1 Profit

Saudi Basic Industries Corp recorded a five per cent year-on-year fall in net profit during the first quarter of the year.

Tamweel Posts 33% Drop In Q1 Profit

The UAE-based mortgage lender recorded a net profit of Dhs18 million during the first quarter of the year.

World Bank Picks New President

The decision to appoint Jim Yong Kim, an American, to the top post has been criticised by developing nations.

NBK Posts $292m Q1 Net Profit

National Bank of Kuwait reported a 0.3 per cent rise in Q1 profits year-on-year.

Nakheel Posts 33% Rise In 2011 Profit

The Dubai-based developer reported a net profit of Dhs1.3 billion for 2011.

Bank Muscat Q1 Net Profit Up 20%

Bank Muscat, Oman’s largest lender by market value, posted a net profit of $86.7 million for the first quarter of the year.

SABIC Approves SR15bn Dividends

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation will be distributing a dividend of SR5 per share to shareholders for 2011.

Saudi’s Al-Tayyar Group Plans 30% IPO

The travel firm had to cancel a similar sale two years ago due to a lack of demand.

Al Ghurair appointed DIFC Authority chairman

Mashreq bank chairman Abdul Azuz Al Ghurair is also vice chairman of DIFC’s higher board of directors.

QNB Buys Stake In Libyan Bank

Qatar National Bank has acquired a 49 per cent stake in Libya’s Bank of Commerce and Development for an undisclosed sum.

Courting Appeal

Dubai’s financial court is revving up efforts to become the home to international dispute hearings.

UAE Central Bank Posts Dhs3.7bn Net Profit

The bank plans to distribute 55 per cent of its 2011 net profit to the ministry of finance, reported WAM.

Mubadala Reports $1.1bn Net Loss

The Abu Dhabi-based investment company attributed the loss to negative fluctuations in its financial investments.

QIA Plans $10bn Indian Investment

Qatar Investment Authority said it is looking to invest $10 billion in India, but is waiting for policies to change in the country.

Oman May Issue $518m Bonds

Oman plans to issue sovereign bonds worth OR200 million this year, but is waiting for the right time, according to officials.

Saudi Banks Post Rise In Q1 Net Profit

Al Rajhi Bank, SABB, Saudi Hollandi Bank and Banque Saudi Fransi recorded a rise in net profit during the first quarter of the year.

Kuwait To Launch $65.6m Trading System

The new system will help in the trading of financial instruments such as derivatives and Sukuks.

QNB Posts 17.4% Q1 Net Profit Rise

Qatar National Bank recorded a net profit of $549 million during the first quarter of the year.

Dubai Duty Free Picks Banks For Loan

The airport retailer has chosen Dubai Islamic Bank, HSBC and Emirates NBD to arrange its $1.1 billion loan facility.

Qatar’s Xstrata Stake Worth $2.65bn

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) currently holds a five per cent stake in global mining and metals company Xstrata.

UAE Banks Falling Short – Experts

UAE banks will have to stop ‘yesteryear’ practices if they are to survive future competition.

TAQA Sells Tesla Motors Stake

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) booked a profit of $113 million on the sale.

Deutsche Bank’s Azzam Steps Down

Top finance guru Henry Azzam leaves MENA chairman role, citing no reasons.

DIC Reaches $2.5bn Debt Deal

Dubai International Capital, the private equity arm of Dubai Holding, has reached a final agreement with creditors for restructuring its debt.

Drydocks Gets Approval From 98% Of Creditors

Only one creditor has not yet accepted the $2.2 billion debt restructuring plan proposed by the Dubai-based shipbuilding unit.

New $1bn Islamic Bank In Doha

Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Development Bank and Dallah Albaraka Group have signed an agreement with Qatar to set up the new bank.

Foreign Access To Saudi Bourse Will Be Slow

The opening up of the Kingdom’s stock market to foreigners will be gradual, Saudi Arabia’s capital market regulator has said.

Majority Of UAE Workers Expect Pay Rise

According to a new survey, 63 per cent of employees in the UAE expect a wage hike in the next 12 months.