UAE business loan demand rising gradually – central bank

Demand for personal loans also rebounded slightly

HSBC, Credit Suisse to advise on Kuwait’s KFH, Bahrain’s AUB talks

KFH said last week it had invited AUB to begin a due diligence process for a potential merger

Bidders emerge for Abraaj’s investment unit after Colony Capital offer rejected

Bid have reportedly been submitted by Cerberus Capital Management, York Capital Management and Abu Dhabi Financial Group

Saudi grants banking licence to Commercial Bank of Iraq

The lender will be allowed to open one branch in the kingdom

Dubai Islamic Bank Q2 profit rises 14.6%

DIB is the third Dubai-based bank to report double-digit profit growth for the quarter

Dubai’s Emirates NBD sees Q2 profit surge 30%

Banks in the United Arab Emirates are expected to benefit this year as economic growth recovers

EU, US complain about GCC excise tax on carbonated, energy drinks

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain imposed the tax last year

Kuwait’s KFH invites Bahrain’s AUB to begin due diligence for merger

If the merger goes ahead, it would be the latest of several recent tie-ups to create stronger lenders in the region

Sovereign wealth funds face tougher dealmaking as protectionism grows

Combined sovereign deal value fell last year compared to 2016

UAE says sanctioned exchange houses not linked to Iran crackdown

The seven exchange houses were found to be in violation of central bank regulations

Criminal case against Abraaj founder dismissed by UAE court

The court case relates to a cheque for Dhs177.1m, which bounced

Here’s how the UAE’s VAT refund system for tourists will work

The system will be implemented in the fourth quarter of this year

Some investors want new Abraaj review, potentially delaying key sale

United States-based Colony offered last month to buy the fund management unit

UAE pledges $10bn in investment, South Africa says

The amount will be invested in sectors such as tourism and mining

Ex-CEO of UAE’s Drake and Scull denies wrongdoing, warns of legal action

Reports earlier this week claimed Khaldoun Al Tabari and his daughter owned the company up to Dhs1bn

Dubai education firm Gems shelves plans for multibillion dollar London IPO

The London listing was reportedly delayed after authorities in Dubai unexpectedly decided to freeze tuition fees

UAE Cabinet approves VAT refund for tourists

The system will be implemented from the fourth quarter of 2018

Court case over Abraaj founder’s bounced cheque adjourned until July 15

The court case relates to a cheque for Dhs177.1m

Saudi securities regulator awards first two fintech licences

Manafa Capital and Scopeer have been given licences to offer crowdfunding investment services on a trial basis

Saudi’s Leejam Sports to issue IPO next month

The sports and fitness business will offer 30 per cent of its existing shares

Over a third of sovereign wealth funds plan to cut equity holdings on trade war fears

Among the main concerns cited were the possibility of a trade war, geopolitical risks, and the fact that equity valuations are high

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UAE court adjourns bounced cheque case of Abraaj founder until July 11

The Sharjah court case relates to a cheque for Dhs177.1m

Saudi wealth fund PIF takes 15.2% direct stake in ACWA Power

The PIF already owns a 9.8 per cent stake in Riyadh-based ACWA through a subsidiary

Dubai’s financial regulator investigates Abraaj over alleged mismanagement

The DFSA has interviewed the firm’s founder, Arif Naqvi, and other senior executives in the past few months

Six firms in running to manage $1bn Abraaj healthcare fund

Despite a row over alleged misuse of money, investors want to stay invested in the fund

Oman’s Bank Muscat appoints new CEO, plans restructuring

The bank’s current CEO and COO will retire at the end of the year

UAE regulator to launch SME financing platform

The Securities and Commodities Authority said the platform would raise funding in a similar manner to collective project financing

Chairman of UAE’s Abraaj resigns

The private equity group is currently undergoing a court-supervised restructuring

UAE court adjourns criminal case against Abraaj founder

The arrest warrant was handed for issuing a cheque that bounced

Dubai’s Abraaj said to owe $20m to staff

A criminal case has been issued against the company’s founder, according to reports