Dubai bank Emirates NBD posts 16% rise in Q3 profit

Profit was buoyed by a rise in net interest income while impairments for bad loans also eased

UAE to introduce new Dhs100 currency note this week

The new note has been reprinted with added security features

HSBC sees little impact on Saudi investment after Khashoggi murder – CEO

HSBC has played an increasingly active role in Saudi Arabia in recent years

Foreigners sold net $624m of Saudi stocks in week to Oct 25

The foreign selling slowed from a record SAR4.01bn in Saudi stocks in the previous week

UAE issues new law governing central bank, financial institutions

The new law raises the central bank’s capital to Dhs20bn

Middle East and North Africa billionaire population grows 24%

Billionaire wealth in the region grew to $165bn last year

Saudis offer Pakistan $6bn rescue package to ease economic crisis

The agreement came as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attended a Saudi investment conference in Riyadh

First Abu Dhabi Bank to start commercial banking in Saudi this year

FAB is the latest foreign bank attracted by openings in Saudi Arabia

Former CEO of Banque Saudi Fransi leaves Saudi after travel ban ends

Couvegnes was dismissed by BSF in November in coordination with the central bank

UAE says tourists can reclaim VAT from November 18

The first phase will see the digital system of the scheme implemented at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah International airports

Dubai’s Mashreq sees Q3 profit increase 4.6%

Profit for the first nine months of the year was up 5 per cent

National Bank of Bahrain seeks to buy shares in rival Bahrain Islamic Bank

NBB is the second largest Bahraini bank by market capitalisation

Foreigners sold net $1.1bn of Saudi stocks in week to Oct 18

The selloff came during a week when investors were rattled by the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

UAE business loan demand up in Q3, personal loans fall

Demand for business loans is set to rise further in Q4

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Q3 profit up 5.5%

The bank made a net profit of Dhs1.15bn ($313.1m) in the three months ending September 30

UAE set to introduce digital tax stamp scheme for tobacco products in 2019

The scheme follows the implementation of a 100 per cent excise tax on tobacco products in October 2017

Aberdeen appoints former Dubai Holding CEO as Middle East head

Alrafi left Dubai Holding in February

Abraaj founder denies moving $660m without investor knowledge

Abraaj’s provisional liquidation began earlier this year after controversy surrounding the use of investor money in a $1bn healthcare fund

Dubai’s Emirates NBD raises $2bn loan

ENBD will use part of the loan proceeds to refinance an existing $1.7bn term loan facility

Dubai’s DP World amends terms of $2bn ‘green’ loan

The facility has been extended by two years and is now due in 2023

Saudi-based ICD halts plan for $1bn fund with India’s IL&FS

The proposed fund would have financed small to mid-sized projects in ICD member countries

UAE issues law allowing federal debt issues

The long-awaited law also provides for the central government to establish a Public Debt Management Office

Bahrain’s digital currency exchange Rain eyes GCC launch next year

The platform will allow people to buy, sell, and store digital currency

Dubai’s Mashreq pays $40m to New York regulator over compliance issues

US officials said that bank did not comply with federal banking laws aimed at combating international money laundering and terrorist financing

Egypt’s EFG Hermes looks to Saudi business for expansion

It has already announced plans to expand its staff as it targets mandates in Saudi

Abraaj’s stake in $1bn healthcare fund to be split between investors

The move reflects a desire by some of the fund’s other investors to sever ties with Abraaj

UAE plans initial coin offerings to boost capital markets

ESCA is drafting regulations for ICOs with international advisers

Oman could announce US dollar sukuk sale this week

Oman has borrowed extensively in the international markets over the past few years to finance state spending

Bahrain’s parliament approves draft VAT law

The bill is yet to be approved by the parliament’s upper house, which is expected to hold a similar session later this week

Saudi fund PIF purchases $578.6m land plot in northern Riyadh

PIF bought the Al Ghadir plot at an auction of the property of late businessman Saleh Abdulaziz al-Rajhi