Virus may force Kuwait Finance and Bahrain’s AUB to reassess merger

Last year, Kuwait Finance House offered to buy Ahli United Bank in an all-share deal that was valued at about $8.8bn

Saudi Arabia wealth fund builds team to hunt for global bargains

The PIF is looking into “any opportunity” arising from the economic wreckage of the crisis

saudi arabia riyadh

Saudi bank earmarks $2.4bn to help small businesses

The funds will be used to support 6,000 businesses in their financing needs

Finablr uncovers $1bn in hidden debt as UAE’s NMC Health scandal widens

The London-listed company, Finablr, had a market value of GBP77m when it was halted from trading in March, down from a peak of GBP1.5bn in December

Webinar: Investing during the current Covid-19 crisis – Century Financial Dubai

While there remain pockets of opportunity, investors should ensure they have sufficient liquidity right now, stresses Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial  

Abu Dhabi shelves sale of $2bn private equity book due to coronavirus

The sovereign wealth fund is estimated to have about $580bn under management

Abu Dhabi’s Waha to invest bulk of $200m in US stocks

Waha Capital posted a loss of Dhs616m for 2019

Abu Dhabi City United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ acquires 100% ownership of National Petroleum Construction Company

ADQ assumed complete ownership of NPCC after acquiring 30 per cent shares previously held by Consolidated Contractors International Company

Saudi banks act in unison to reassure investors on oil and virus

Lenders warned that it’s still too early “to determine the size and extent of the financial impact at this stage”

First Abu Dhabi Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank reports 22% decrease in year-on-year Q1 2020 net profit

Meanwhile, the value of total assets of the UAE’s largest bank rose 14 per cent to Dhs835bn

British Business Group

British Business Group in the UAE launches new website to support companies

Nearly 65 per cent of British Business Group members say they need more clarity on the UAE government schemes available to them

Dubai to raise bonds privately to bolster finances

The emirate raised Dhs1bn through a private placement of eight-year Islamic bonds at a rate of 4.71 per cent earlier this month

Dubai reduces instant licence fee by over 90 per cent to Dhs250

For existing licence holders, the new fee will apply at the time of renewals

Egypt asks IMF for financial aid amid coronavirus fight

Egypt has reported 4,319 cases of the coronavirus, including 307 deaths

Dubai’s DIFC says employers can reduce pay during Covid-19 crisis without employee consent

The new directives will remain effective from April 21 – July 31, 2020

Saudi wealth fund seeking ‘any opportunity’ amid virus

The Public Investment Fund has stepped up deal-making in a bid to become the world’s biggest manager of sovereign capital

World Bank sees record 20% slump in remittances due to virus

The US has long been the top source for outflows, with other major countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Germany and Russia

Dubai’s Emirates NBD posts 24% fall in net profit for Q1 2020

Total income for the first quarter at Dh6.88bn remains fairly unchanged from Dh6.87bn in the preceding quarter

UAE banks not allowed to lay off nationals in response to virus

The order does not include those Emirati employees who have resigned or breached job duties that require letting them go

Three ways Fintech is transforming everyday life

How fintech is revamping the financial landscape amid Covid-19 outbreak

Technology and digitisation of businesses is no longer ‘nice to have’, but is a necessity in a business capacity as well as for personal banking and trading

VC firms raised $21bn last quarter despite pandemic chaos

In the first quarter of this year, 62 venture capital funds raised a total of $21bn in the US

Dubai’s DIFC offers three-month rent waiver to retailers

From April to June 2020, retailers of all types based in Gate Avenue, Gate Village and Gate District will not be required to pay basic rent

NMC saga: Abu Dhabi’s ADCB begins criminal legal action against several people

ADCB is owed $963m by Abu Dhabi healthcare group NMC, which has now been placed under administration

Saudi Arabia joins Gulf dollar bond binge with new debt offering

Saudi Arabia is offering the 40-year tranche at about 5.15 per cent

Kuwait’s stock exchange delays trading debut due to Covid-19

The listing, scheduled for April 19, has been postponed until further notice

HSBC announces regional Covid-19 charity projects

As much as $505,000 has been allocated to projects in the UAE, which is expected to reach around 13,720 people

Saudi’s Maaden to focus on preserving cash instead of shareholder payout

The company has no plans to cut capital expenditure in response to the coronavirus infection

Emirates NBD approves 40% dividend

UAE’s Emirates NBD launches contactless export trade collections service

Clients can access the new digital feature from the safety of their homes or offices to submit an export collections request

Emirates Islamic contributes Dhs10m to UAE’s Covid-19 relief fund

Emirates Islamic is the first Dubai-based financial institution to contribute to the fund launched by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department

Saudi wealth fund builds $200m stake in Norway’s state oil company

The fund last month built an 8.2 per cent stake in cruise operator Carnival Corp. after shares slumped due to the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic