Oman’s first S&P upgrade in over a decade may be on the cards

Oman’s fiscal deficit may narrow to 4.2 per cent of gross domestic product in 2021

ADQ is said to take 50% stake in IHC’s Eltizam Asset Management

IHC shares have nearly quadrupled over the past year

All you need to know about Central Bank digital currencies

Central Bank digital currencies built around Bitcoin-like technologies that promote transparency offer potential for positive outcomes

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed inaugurates new trading floor at Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

The new trading floor serves all stakeholders under one roof

Gold near 7-week low as yields climb, inflation worries persist

Gold is heading for its biggest monthly loss since June as more central banks start signaling a pullback in stimulus measures

Saudi Arabia may issue a green bond by 2022, ‘if not before’

The global market for debt that complies with environmental, social or governance goals (ESG) looks set to top $1 trillion this year

Saudi sovereign wealth fund acquires 25% stake in Emaar the Economic City

The transaction is in line with Public Investment Fund’s Strategy 2021-2025, which focuses on building strategic economic partnerships

Chinese regulators are serious about banning crypto this time

Authorities said crypto transactions in China are banned and they will root out mining of digital assets

Bahrain plans to double VAT in bid to curb deficit

Bahrain’s budget shortfall is projected to drop to 9.1 per cent of gross domestic product this year compared with 18.3 per cent of GDP in 2020

YAP

Dubai-based fintech YAP launches region’s ‘first’ virtual card

YAP, which launched earlier this year, claims it is now “onboarding hundreds per day”

The Priceless Cube Visual Mastercard Expo 2020

Mastercard unveils range of initiatives lined up for Expo 2020 Dubai

The official payment technology partner of Expo will showcase its Cube multi-sensory installation at the event

Abu Dhabi’s wealth funds weigh Turkey investments worth billions

Among funds eyeing Turkish investments are Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and ADQ

UAE Central Bank

UAE Central Bank gives in-principle approval for Wizz Financial to acquire UAE Exchange

Once finalised, UAE Exchange is expected to relaunch its branch network in the UAE

Amazon_American Express

Amazon payment services partners with American Express in Saudi Arabia

Amex cardholders in Saudi can now shop with their Amex card on merchant and supplier websites that use Amazon Payment Services

UAE stock market regulator, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority agree to support crypto assets trading

DWTCA aims to expand its existing business licenses, services and incentives

Sheikh Hamdan announces restructuring of Dubai Municipality

Dubai forecasts 3.1% economic growth in 2021, 3.4% in 2022

The total cost of the five stimulus packages announced by the emirate’s government since the start of the pandemic amounted to Dhs7.1bn, or 1.6 per cent of Dubai’s GDP

Saudi wealth fund plans green bond, works with BlackRock on ESG

The kingdom is looking to boost its environmental credentials

Emirates Development Bank

UAE’s Emirates Development Bank partners with YAP to launch business banking app for SMEs

The EDB Business Banking app is free to open and has no minimum balance criteria

Gold edges higher as havens rally on growing Evergrande fears

The traditional haven has lost 8 per cent this year

National Bank of Fujairah

UAE’s National Bank of Fujairah launches electronic trading platform

The new platform is available for both conventional and Shariah-compliant banking customers

Saudi internet-services firm sets IPO price at top end of range

Riyadh has been the hottest market for IPOs in the Middle East over the past two years

Saudi conglomerate Algosaibi’s $7.5bn default settled after decade

The plan involves Algosaibi contributing 90 per cent of its assets to paying off debts, with the rest restructured in order to carry on operating

Biggest Saudi IPO since Aramco draws strong investor interest

The $1.2bn IPO by ACWA Power International had initial demand amounting to several billion dollars

DAFZA

UAE’s Mashreq Bank signs MoU with DAFZA to boost SME growth

DAFZA companies will also be given priority access to digital banking services through Mashreq’s NEOBiz platform, where they will be able to open instant accounts

UAE Central Bank

UAE Central Bank issues new guidance on transaction monitoring and sanctions screening

The guidance came into effect on Monday, September 13, with licensed financial institutions being given a month to demonstrate compliance

Emirates NBD Group, Expo 2020 Dubai and Mastercard launch new card programmes

The limited-edition cards are designed to enhance the Expo 2020 Dubai experience for both residents and visitors

Standard Chartered closes transition trade facility

Standard Chartered executes first green trade finance facility in UAE

The bank has executed the facility to support Amplus Energy Solutions

Dubai Financial Market

Dubai Financial Market plans to introduce new equity futures contracts

New contracts will include stocks of Dubai Investments, DFM Company and Shuaa Capital

Dubai Chamber

Dubai Chamber exports, re-exports grew 21.8% to Dhs147bn in January-August 2021

Chamber members’ exports and re-exports to the GCC countries during the first eight months of the year increased 16.4 per cent year-on-year to Dhs79.6bn

Dubai’s DIFC records 59% increase in new company registrations in H1 2021

A total of 492 new companies joined the financial centre in the first half of the year