Abu Dhabi exchange awards first non-UAE market maker licence

Bahrain-based SICO becomes the fifth registered market maker in Abu Dhabi

Saudi’s Al Rajhi Bank says expat exodus could impact its remittance business

The number of foreign workers has fallen by more than 700,000 since last year

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala offers to sell $150m of shares in Malaysia’s RHB Bank

The shares represents approximately 3 per cent of RHB’s enlarged share capital

UAE court adjourns bounced cheque case against Abraaj founder

A judgement is scheduled for later this month

UAE’s FTA launches new ‘tax clinic’ to address SME concerns related to VAT

The campaign, spread over three months, will cover all the seven emirates to raise tax awareness across the country

Nasdaq Dubai to allow individuals to invest in sukuk market

The bourse is consulting with Dubai International Finance Center

Indian rupee dives to a record low against UAE dirham

The rupee falls nearly 1 per cent against the dollar compared to Friday’s closing rate

Dubai’s Emirates NBD says closely monitoring Turkey situation

The bank announced an acquisition of Turkey’s Denizbank for $3.2bn in May

Abraaj founder Arif Naqvi resigns from Air Arabia’s board

The airline’s board will nominate a new member within the “coming weeks”

Tesla shares give up gains on renewed prospect of Musk buying Twitter

Saudi wealth fund PIF has shown no interest in bankrolling Tesla buyout

The sovereign wealth fund acquired a stake of just below 5 per cent in Tesla

Saudi-based ITFC, US’ Federated Investors to launch $300m trade finance fund

The sharia-compliant fund is expected to launch later this year

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank hires banks for $750m sukuk

Potential issuers in the region have held back their plans because of market volatility

Bahrain’s Investcorp looks to make direct investments in China, India

The company reported a 4 per cent rise in net profit for the year ended June 30

Tesla shares give up gains on renewed prospect of Musk buying Twitter

Saudi sovereign fund PIF buys stake in Tesla

The fund has bought a minority stake in Tesla at just below 5 per cent

Bahrain fund Mumtalakat exits US private education firm Nobel

Mumtalakat has used the proceeds from the stake sale to pay down debt

New criminal case filed against Abraaj’s Naqvi holds ‘no ground’, says lawyer

A second criminal case for a bounced cheque valued at Dhs798m was filed against Naqvi in the UAE

Different Arab money

UAE accounts for 59% of MENA start-up investment in H1

The total disclosed funding for start-ups across the MENA region fell 43 per cent to $112m in H1

Abraaj founder Naqvi faces second UAE court case over bounced cheque

Hamid Jafar has filed a second case against Naqvi, this time for a bounced cheque valued at Dhs798m

Saudi wealth fund PIF aims to raise between $6-8bn in first loan

PIF has been charged with helping to deliver Saudi’s Vision 2030 reform plan

Nasdaq Dubai to launch futures trading of 12 Saudi firms from September

The 12 Saudi companies have a combined market capitalisation of SAR859bn

Saudi banks’ deposits shrink as government pulls back funds

Eight of the top 12 Saudi banks reported lower deposits in their second-quarter earnings

Abu Dhabi bank ADCB posts 12% rise in Q2 profit

The lender saw higher net interest, increased Islamic financing and non-interest income

Emirates NBD in talks to roll over $1.7bn loan

The 2016 loan, due in June 2019, saw the participation of 19 banks

HSBC appoints global banking head for MENA, Turkey

Gareth Thomas will succeed Matthew Wallace, who was recently appointed as HSBC’s head of global banking for Europe

Kuwait’s Agility submitted bid for part of Abraaj’s investment business

Potential bidder Cerberus Capital Management has pulled out after not getting enough investor support for its offer

S&P Dow Jones to upgrade Saudi stocks to emerging market next year

The move came in response to reforms of Riyadh’s market structure supporting foreign investment

Saudi largest lender NCB posts Q2 profit hike

The lender benefitted from increased fees, commission and investments

First Abu Dhabi Bank Q2 profit up 19%

The UAE’s largest lender beat analysts forecasts

Bahrain’s Bank Alkhair sells stake in Turkish investment firm

The lender received approval to transfer its 95.79 per cent shareholding of Alkhair Capital to Ankara-based A1 Capital