Natixis replaces Saudi Arabian CEO after six months in the role

International banks have been expanding in Saudi as the country embarks on a plan to diversify its economy beyond oil

Banks erase debt worth Dhs869.85m of 1,607 Emiratis

The move was implemented as per the directives of the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Axa sells Gulf operations to Kuwaiti group in $269m deal

The insurer sold its stakes in Axa Gulf, Axa Cooperative Insurance Company and Axa Green Crescent Insurance Company to Gulf Insurance Group

Saudi Central Bank extends pandemic loan support into next year

The programme has helped banks avoid having to recognise credit as non-performing

Outlook 2021: Challenging outlook offers varied picture for GCC banks

The GCC governments’ measures to help corporates and individuals navigate the challenging environment have taken various forms

Saudi Arabia broadens Central Bank’s mandate to promote growth

The new charter also formally changed the name of the central bank, from Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority to Saudi Central Bank

DIFC FinTech Hive and Israel’s FinTech-Aviv sign cooperation agreement

Over 50 per cent of all fintech businesses in the GCC now operate from DIFC

Gold’s big question: Can the bull market outlive a pandemic?

Gold suffered its second-biggest drop in seven years on the day that Pfizer announced early results showing its vaccine was 90 per cent effective

Wealth management of tomorrow: Is it human or hybrid?

The advent of disruptive technologies may prompt futurists to predict the end of the traditional wealth management model

Shailesh Dash

Phi Trends: Pandemic drives fintech focus

Few investments make a more compelling case than fintech in the current economic climate, opines entrepreneur and investor Shailesh Dash

Saudi, Abu Dhabi wealth funds team up on Egyptian drugmaker deal

Public Investment Fund and ADQ are weighing the purchase of Bausch Health’s Cairo-based drug unit

Revealed: Winners at the 2020 Gulf Business Awards

The awards acknowledged champions from across the region’s business spectrum

GCC leads MENA in fintech maturity: report

Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai and Riyadh named MENA’s top fintech ecosystems by Startup Genome

Nasdaq Dubai Dubai Islamic Bank

Dubai Islamic Bank lists $1bn sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

Dubai Islamic Bank is now the largest UAE-based sukuk issuer by value on Nasdaq Dubai with a total of $7.3bn listed on the exchange

Oman returns to debt market as rally reduces borrowing costs

The sultanate raised $500m in a tap of its bonds due in 2027 and 2032

Foreign nationals permitted 100% business ownership in the UAE

The rule will be applicable from December 1, 2020, with businesses no longer requiring an Emirati sponsor

Bitcoin revival unleashes animal spirits and $300,000 forecast

The world’s largest digital currency is in the midst of an exuberant rally this week

Bahrain’s Investcorp invests in India’s Xpressbees

Xpressbees has a presence across more than 2,000 towns and cities in India

Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power set to raise $1bn in sukuk sale

The sukuk will be used to help fund Acwa’s share of an $8bn acquisition of gasification and power assets at Jazan

DIFC Dubai

Israel’s Bank Hapoalim signs agreement with DIFC, AGDM

The agreement enables Bank Hapoalim to access banking and innovation opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia through the DIFC platform

Saudi Arabia to review VAT hike once economic crisis ends

The VAT hike to 15 per cent, was implemented in July this year

Industry outlook: How has the wealth management space fared in the GCC?

Similar to wealth, wealth management has gone through layers of evolution to become a specialised investment advisory service

Abu Dhabi Israel

Abu Dhabi Global Market signs fintech agreement with Israel Securities Authority

The agreement provides a framework for information sharing, and will facilitate the movement of startups and transfer of knowledge and talent

World’s biggest oil firm Saudi Aramco sells $8bn in bonds

Aramco sold $8bn in tranches maturing in three, five, 10, 30 and 50 years

Saudi Arabia to pivot attention, plow funds at home

The fund intends to play a leading role in refocusing the economy toward underdeveloped industries

Central Bank of the UAE

UAE Central Bank extends Targeted Economic Support Scheme until June 2021

The TESS loan deferral programme has already benefited over 310,000 retail customers, nearly 10,000 SMEs and more than 1,500 private sector companies

UAE gets first rating from Fitch ahead of federal bond sale

The company ranked the sovereign AA- with a stable outlook

Hawala operators in the UAE must register before December 2 to avoid penalties

Relevant legal actions will be taken for non-compliance

Mapping the future for energy trading organisations

A global health emergency and collapse in crude oil prices have ratcheted up the pressure to address the sector’s critical challenges: efficiency, agility and growth

Kuwait’s $124bn pension fund plans infrastructure boost

The new plan, developed with US-based consultancy Mercer, will start next year