Alabbar-backed VC firm launches $250m MENA fund

The Middle East Venture Fund III will invest in early-stage and growth-stage tech companies

Saudi Arabia hires banks for third international bond

Saudi Arabia could issue up to $10bn, banking sources said

Dubai’s Arqaam Capital launches specialist fixed income funds in DIFC

The funds will target annual returns of 6-7 per cent

Dubai Parks operator takes Dhs245m loan from shareholder Meraas

The loan will be used to fund operational expenses and debt repayments

Dubai’s Atlas Jewellery still struggling to resolve debt issues

Atlas defaulted on loans in 2015 and its owner, M M Ramachandran, was sentenced to a three-year jail term

Saudi completes third monthly issue of domestic sukuk

Riyadh started issuing domestic conventional bonds in 2015

Abu Dhabi Financial Group plans $100m private bond sale

The privately owned investment company has over $5bn of assets under management

Abu Dhabi Global Market, KPMG select 11 finalists for fintech challenge

Two winners will be selected and invited to demonstrate their solutions at the Global FinTech Hackcelerator in Singapore

Abu Dhabi bank ADCB’s services will be unavailable for three days

The bank is carrying out a system enhancement during the end of the month

Saudi’s Kingdom sells 90% interest in Four Seasons Langkawi for $90m

The aggregate gross consideration for the transaction amounted to $90m

Middle East VC firm MEVP invests in online travel site Wego

The investment was made in exchange for an equity ownership in Wego

Why China sets an example for Saudi’s MSCI inclusion

China’s inclusion in MSCI’s main indices can provide lessons for Saudi Arabia

Banks in UAE join forces to fight cyber security threat

The UAE Banks Federation is partnering with Anomali to create the Information Sharing and Analysis Center

Doha Bank cuts UAE staff as Qatar crisis continues

One source said around 100 staff could be put on leave, while another said it might be as high as 200

France’s Credit Agricole sells 16.2% stake in Saudi bank to Prince Alwaleed’s firm

Credit Agricole will remain a strategic shareholder in Banque Saudi Fransi

Dubai’s DIFC launches new academy to offer executive education courses

The Academy will form partnerships with business schools and universities to offer the courses

Dubai Land Department to soon issue new rules for REITs

The authority also plans to introduce fees for investors when they enter and exit REITs

Abu Dhabi Global Market receives 166 applications for fintech challenge

The organisation will select 10 finalists for its five-week start-up programme

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UAE’s tax authority prepares for excise tax, VAT implementation

Excise tax takes effect next month, while VAT will be implemented in January 2018

UAE startup Now Money closes $1.46m bridge funding round

The round included $700,000 from Dubai-based venture capital firm Myrisoph Capital

Oman replaces long-serving executive president of central bank

Hamood Sangour al-Zadjali had run the central bank since 1991

New $325m Dubai project allows investors to buy property via bitcoin

One-bedroom apartments will be priced at about 54 bitcoins, or $250,000

Moody’s downgrades outlook on Oman’s banking system to negative

The report attributed the change to the Omani government’s reduced capacity to support banks

UAE’s NMC Health becomes first Middle East firm on UK’s FTSE 100 index

NMC listed on the exchange in 2012 and has seen its share price rise 22 per cent over the last quarter

Sharjah government plans to issue yuan bond in China

The size of the planned issue is not known

First Abu Dhabi Bank to get role in Emaar’s UAE real estate unit IPO

Emaar is considering an initial public offering of up to 30 per cent of its UAE real estate business

Bahrain says UK’s Tramonex, Dubai’s NOW Money sign up to fintech sandbox

The regulatory incubator aims to allow fintech firms to test ideas without falling foul of financial laws

New VAT law issued by UAE President outlines exemptions

Education and healthcare will be subject to a zero rate

UAE tax authority launches website with details about VAT, excise taxes

From mid-September, businesses will be able to register with the tax authority through the website

Navigating financial market fluctuations in the UAE and worldwide

Here’s how brokers should deal with market volatility