UAE’s Mashreq opens first representative office in Shanghai

With the new office, Mashreq now operates in 13 countries, including the UAE

Middle East M&A activity scales 59% in H1 2021

Overall deal activity in the region continued its upward trend with 307 deals in the first half of the year

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange to launch derivatives market this year

The exchange plans to launch single stock futures and index futures in the fourth quarter of 2021

UAE’s NMC Healthcare group companies to secure release from administration

A total of 34 NMC group companies will exit administration and transfer to a new NMC group

Dubai Financial Market

Dubai Financial Market scraps minimum trading commission from Sep 1

The directive aims to enable retail investors to avail of its investment opportunities, and promote their participation

Abu Dhabi Exchange cuts trading fees, extends trading hours

The Dubai Financial Market also said Saturday it will extend trading time to five hours daily as of October 3

How private equity is well poised to leverage opportunities

As an asset class, private equity continues to perform robustly, with venture capital seeing a standout year on the back of enthusiasm for technology and healthcare

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim secures $1.5bn sustainability-linked loan

Standard Chartered Bank acted as sustainability coordinator on the loan

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala part of consortium purchasing Bain’s Hugel stake for $1.5bn

The South Korean company Hugel mainly produces beauty goods

Now is the time to investigate property mortgage options in Dubai

The emirate’s mortgage market has seen significant changes in the past few years, making it more accessible and attractive

Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Distribution included in FTSE Emerging Markets Index

The inclusion is expected to attract more foreign investors into ADNOC Distribution shares

Bitcoin knocks on door of $50,000 after rising above resistance

Bitcoin has recovered after trading in a range of about $30,000 to $40,000 for many weeks

How the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a shift in the insurance space

A year of transformation has affected both insurers and customers

Saudi’s Mabaat secures SAR9m in seed funding round

Funds will be used to market and enhance the platform

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Capital closes private equity Fund III with commitments of $1.6bn

Fund III raised capital commitments from leading pension plans, endowments, insurance plans, government institutions, family offices and private equity firms

Kuwait asks ministries to cut spending by 10% amid budget gap

The OPEC member posted record $36bn budget deficit in 2020

Shailesh Dash

Dubai investor Shailesh Dash evaluates H1 performance of healthtech, medtech and fintech stocks

Since the beginning of 2021, the changing market narratives have led to higher uncertainty and increased volatility in global equities

How ‘digital’ is the way forward for insurance providers in the UAE

The insurance industry has to adopt a digital customer-centric approach to ensure long-term growth

Cover story: Why Dubai businessman Dariush Soudi is confident about future success

From poverty to tragedy, Soudi has seen it all. Yet he persevered against all odds and now has a remarkable life story to share

Kuwait names Al-Ghunaiman to head $700bn wealth fund

Al-Ghunaiman replaces Farouk Bastaki, who helped to propel the Kuwait Investment Authority to rank among the world’s biggest wealth funds

Bitcoin roars back, putting $100,000 predictions in vogue again

The world’s largest cryptocurrency is staging a comeback that has taken it up more than 50 per cent from recent lows

How technology can play a crucial role in mitigating financial crimes

While financial crimes may be complex and difficult to track, the Effiya Compliance suite ensures that risk assessment is conducted seamlessly, asserts Abhishek Gupta, managing director at Effiya Technologies

Dubai’s DFSA appoints F. Christopher Calabia as new chief

He will succeed Bryan Stirewalt with effect from October 1, 2021

UAE fintech Sarwa closes $15m Series B financing round

Mubadala Investment Company led the round, joined by other investors

Kuwait posts record $36bn deficit on oil price drop, virus

Salaries and subsidies in the 2020-21 fiscal year accounted for 73 per cent of spending

Bitcoin and Ether hit highest since mid-May as sentiment warms

Other tokens like Binance Coin, Cardano, XRP and Dogecoin are also rallying

Kuwait names new wealth fund board after three-month delay

The board always includes the finance and oil ministers, as well as the central bank governor and finance ministry undersecretary

Renewable energy investment rose to a record in first half

Investment in solar projects was up 9 per cent to a record $78.9bn in the first half

Islamic Development Bank, Bloomberg LP launch financial education programme across 9 countries

Participating universities will be announced over the coming months