Dubai’s DIFC creates over 2,000 new jobs, adds 493 new businesses in 2019

Total banking assets booked in DIFC stood at $178bn in 2019

UAE government body ADEX approves Dhs550m to finance exports in 2020

The amount is available as direct loans to foreign buyers and as lines of credit to international financial institutions importing goods and services from UAE companies

Dubai bank Emirates NBD to reduce tariffs following UAE central bank initiative

Late last month, the UAE central bank urged banks to reschedule loans and reduce fees

Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund parts ways with three executives

Chief strategy officer Dennis Johnson and head of risk, Martin Botha, have exited the company

Abu Dhabi-based banks report Dhs40.3bn net income in 2019

Last year Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank officially merged with Union National Bank and the combined entity acquired Al Hilal Bank

Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Development bank lists $2bn sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The sukuk makes IsDB the leading sukuk issuer by total value on Nasdaq Dubai

UAE banks instructed to reschedule loans, defer monthly loan payments

The UAE has, so far, reported 21 cases of coronavirus of whom five have fully recovered

Dubai’s DIFC, Mashreq Bank launch bank account opening with KYC blockchain platform

The platform will make it easier for new companies to do business in the UAE, removing existing paper-based KYC processes

ethiopia

Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Fund signs $100m agreement with Ethiopia

The loan is expected to finance about 37,000 projects over the next four years and create over 200,000 jobs in the African country

UAE national banks invested Dhs10.4bn in January

Emirati banks received approximately 89.8 per cent of the total investments

Saudi’s KBW Ventures invests in US cell-based seafood startup BlueNalu

BlueNau is the fourth cellular agriculture startup that KBW Ventures has invested in

finablr bayanpay

Finablr’s BayanPay secures Saudi Arabia licence

Vision 2030 aims to increase non-cash payments to 70 per cent of all payments by 2030

Lebanon has more to worry about than $31bn maturing Eurobonds

Falling reserves and inflows have led to a shortage of foreign exchange in Lebanon, disrupting the financial system

nasdaq dubai

Saudi Arabia’s Dar Al-Arkan lists $400m sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

It raises Dar Al-Arkan’s total sukuk value listed on Nasdaq Dubai to $2bn

UAE banks invested Dhs141bn in Q4 2019 across the GCC

Saudi Arabia accounted for 54 per cent of the UAE’s total banking investment

Regulator of Dubai’s DIFC fines global mortgage firm $105,000 for ‘unauthorised activity’

Enness’ DIFC office was fined for carrying out activities outside the scope of its licence

UAE expats remit Dhs165bn in 2019

Remittances are down 2.4per cent year-on-year

Egypt’s Banque Misr to borrow $250m, grow in Africa

Egypt’s second-largest state-owned lender will use the debt to finance small-and-medium-size enterprises, among other purposes

Network International to launch WeChat Pay in the UAE

The launch will enable Chinese tourists to transact seamlessly with Network International’s merchant network in the UAE via their WeChat mobile wallet

HSBC’s Saudi Arabia affiliate seeks to boost corporate lending

Saudi British Bank, which is 29 per cent owned by HSBC, completed the acquisition of Alawwal Bank last year to create the kingdom’s third-largest lender

Saudi regulator seeks to raise capital levels for insurers

Of Saudi Arabia’s 33 insurance companies, 10 made a loss last year, with the bulk of profits being earned by two companies — Bupa Arabia and Tawuniya

UAE central bank is monitoring job cuts in financial sector

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank is seeking to save about Dhs500m by cutting jobs and closing branches

Revealed: Top 5 most powerful Arabs in finance

The highest ranking entries from the world of finance in Gulf Business’ annual Arab power list 2020

Dubai Economy partners with local banks to form KYC platform

The ‘KYC Blockchain Consortium’ will facilitate faster and more secure exchange of digital customer data and documents through the blockchain technology

Egypt to resume IPOs of state-run firms by end of March – minister

Egypt’s programme to offer stakes in state-run firms is part of a broader plan to revive the economy

Lebanon lira no longer fit for airline owned by central bank

Starting on Monday, February 17, Middle East Airlines will only accept foreign currency payments

Dubai Islamic Bank records 2% profit rise in 2019

The bank’s total income amounted to Dhs13.68bn in 2019, up 17 per cent from Dhs11.73bn in 2018

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank posts 4% profit rise in 2019

The bank’s group net revenues for 2019 grew 2.5 per cent to Dhs5.91bn compared to Dhs5.769bn in 2018

UAE’s largest lender FAB turns to sterling in return to bond market

The bank offered a three-year £450m ($583m) note at a yield premium of 98 basis points over UK gilts

Abu Dhabi’s ADIB looks to save Dhs500m by cutting jobs, shutting branches – report

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank is reportedly planning to close local and international branches