Abu Dhabi’s IPIC files lawsuit against Goldman Sachs, others over 1MDB case

IPIC has also filed a criminal complaint in the UAE against two former executives for allegedly accepting bribes

Dubai’s Majid Al Futtaim acquires UAE mobile wallet app Beam

Beam will be expanded across all Majid Al Futtaim retail stores by next year

UAE, Jordan sign $100m agreement to fund SMEs in the kingdom

The agreement will see around 22,000 projects funded over five years with 28,000 jobs created for Jordanian youth

UAE residents can now access credit reports via an app

Previously, the credit report and score could only be purchased at the AECB customer happiness centres in Abu Dhabi or Dubai

Three ways Fintech is transforming everyday life

Gulf-based fintech start-ups to raise $2bn over next decade

Interest in digital solutions from banks and government fintech accelerators are expected to support the market

Dubai lender Emirates NBD opens second branch in Riyadh

The bank now operates four full-fledged branches across three cities in the kingdom

Saudi stocks hit one-month low on Khashoggi reports

Stock market data showed that qualified foreign investors were net sellers in the week to November 15

Google Pay launches in the UAE

Several UAE banks are now supporting the payment method

Over 4,500 retailers sign up for UAE’s tourist VAT refund scheme

The scheme will be implemented from Sunday, November 18, 2018, at the Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah International Airports

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank picks Barclays to advise on Union, Al Hilal merger

If it goes ahead, the mergercould create an entity with around $113bn in assets

Tourists will be charged a fee for VAT refund, clarifies UAE’s FTA

The maximum cash amount that can be returned to a tourist for a 24-hour period is Dhs10,000

Oman’s National Gas Company terminates CEO

Oman property developer Tilal plans $137m sukuk

Unlisted Tilal sold the country’s first sukuk in 2013 through a private placement

Binance

Swiss cryptocurrency firm X8 obtains Islamic finance certification

The company also plans to launch a crypto-exchange that would include a Sharia-compliant component

UAE central bank now free to link banks’ exposure to real estate

A new law introduced last month abolished a cap

Franklin Templeton sees “growing potential” in Saudi despite Khashoggi controversy

Foreign investors withdrew $1.7bn from Saudi stocks last month as Western leaders expressed concern over the killing

Auction of detained Saudi tycoon Maan al-Sanea’s properties to start in Dec

The auction, originally planned for late October, was delayed by a last-ditch attempt to reach a settlement

Dubai payments firm Network International selects banks for potential listing

The IPO could value the firm at about $3bn

Robo advisory start-up WeInvest opens Dubai office

The company was one of 11 finalists for the inaugural DIFC FinTech Hive accelerator programme last year

Kuwait Finance House expects decision on Ahli United Bank merger before year-end

The two banks have been in talks since earlier this year on a potential merger

UAE’s new FDI law: What compensation will foreign investors get in dispute resolution?

The new law provides for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and/or expedited local court process in the UAE

GCC governments to need $300bn in financing by 2021 – S&P

The ratings agency said fiscal imbalances were likely to persist in the region

Abraaj fund investors hire Duff & Phelps to help recover money

The advisory firm will seek to trace an estimated $33m owed by Abraaj relating to the Infrastructure and Growth Capital Fund

Dubai bank Emirates NBD launches API sandbox for fintechs

The platform consists of over 200 APIs and 900 end points covering retail, corporate and SMEs

Three ways Fintech is transforming everyday life

Deutsche’s DWS to buy stake in Dubai-based digital investment firm

The deal comes as Dubai and other Gulf cities compete to establish themselves as regional powerhouses in fintech

HSBC sees doubling of commercial bank’s MENA profit by 2023

The commercial bank, which includes trade finance, cash management and capital financing, reported profit of $199m in MENA in 2017

Kuwait bourse seeks to create VC platform to finance startups – CEO

The aim is for the companies to eventually list on Kuwait’s main market

Bahrain’s oil company targets $1bn through dual-tranche bond

Bahrain, hit by a slump in oil prices, has increasingly relied on external funding

Mideast funds wary, not bearish on Saudi over Khashoggi affair

Gulf investors sold a net $147m of Saudi stocks last week

Saudi’s Alkhabeer to list property trust on market

The fund invests in seven income-producing real estate assets in Riyadh, Jeddah and Tabuk

Citi to open Abu Dhabi office

The bank plans to offer wholesale banking services out of Abu Dhabi