Saudi Arabia wealth fund builds team to hunt for global bargains

The PIF is looking into “any opportunity” arising from the economic wreckage of the crisis

Message from the top: Reem Al Shihhe, COO, DIFC Courts

As companies across the GCC tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, regional business leaders reveal insights on what their organisations are doing and offer advice on how to deal with the current crisis

saudi arabia riyadh

Saudi bank earmarks $2.4bn to help small businesses

The funds will be used to support 6,000 businesses in their financing needs

Saudi finance minister says country looking at ‘painful’ measures, deep spending cuts

He added that state oil revenue has decreased by more than half, and non-oil revenue will decrease as well

Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways slashes workforce to cut costs on virus

The company has about $100m in cash reserves and isn’t currently talking to banks about financing or seeking government aid

Finablr uncovers $1bn in hidden debt as UAE’s NMC Health scandal widens

The London-listed company, Finablr, had a market value of GBP77m when it was halted from trading in March, down from a peak of GBP1.5bn in December

UAE reports 561 new Covid-19 cases, 121 recoveries as testing intensifies

The new cases were detected following over 36,266 tests conducted to screen for the virus

Renewables are the only winners in historic decline in energy demand

While all sources of energy — oil, coal, natural gas, and even nuclear — will see a decline, renewable energy is likely to be the bright spot

How coronavirus will forever change airlines and the way we fly

In a matter of months, the coronavirus reset the clock on a decades-long aviation boom that’s been one of the great cultural and economic phenomena of the postwar world

Montblanc MB01 headphones

Montblanc debuts its first-ever headphones

To enter the fiercely competitive audio market, it teamed up with one of the industry’s best audio engineers: Alex Rosson

UAE fuel delivery service Cafu registers around 40% increase in orders as lockdown eases

The increase has been attributed to a behavioural change among users, with an increasing number of customers opting for contactless service options

Emirates to organise special repatriation flights in May from Dubai to five countries

The one-way special flights will allow outbound travel of residents and visitors in the UAE wishing to return to their home countries

GCC Covid-19 update: Saudi registers 1,351 infections; UAE reports 552 cases

The death toll in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has risen to 105 and 162 respectively

Webinar: Investing during the current Covid-19 crisis – Century Financial Dubai

While there remain pockets of opportunity, investors should ensure they have sufficient liquidity right now, stresses Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial  

kcal life ramadan-2136 john marsland photography

Kcal launches limited-edition Ramadan menu with free home delivery in the UAE

The healthy food company has also crafted a special meal plan for those who want to continue to stay on top of their routine throughout the holy month

Dubai carrier Emirates protects and prepares its wide-body fleet

Currently around 75 Emirates aircraft, both passenger and freighter, are taking to the skies, carrying people for repatriation and cargo for essential reasons

Private sector salaries must be paid on time – UAE labour ministry

Employers must abide by the Ministerial Decree No. 739 of 2016 that safeguards employees’ wages and which mandates that employment contracts are honoured

UAE pharma Julphar resumes exports to Saudi after suspension

The kingdom banned Julphar’s products in September 2018 for failing to meet regional standards

Abu Dhabi shelves sale of $2bn private equity book due to coronavirus

The sovereign wealth fund is estimated to have about $580bn under management

Abu Dhabi’s Waha to invest bulk of $200m in US stocks

Waha Capital posted a loss of Dhs616m for 2019

UAE Coronavirus

UAE builds four new Covid-19 field hospitals in the Northern Emirates

These hospitals are located at Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah

coronavirus

UAE reports 549 new Covid-19 cases, says none of those recovered have been re-infected

The death toll has now risen to 98

GCC Covid-19 update: Saudi reports 1,325 new cases; Kuwait death toll rises

Since the outbreak, Saudi Arabia has reported 21,402 Covid-19 cases, while in Kuwait, 3,740 people have contracted the virus

UAE petrol prices for May declared

Super 98 petrol will cost Dhs1.91 per litre, while Special 95 is priced at Dhs1.80 per litre

Abu Dhabi City United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ acquires 100% ownership of National Petroleum Construction Company

ADQ assumed complete ownership of NPCC after acquiring 30 per cent shares previously held by Consolidated Contractors International Company

Etihad

Etihad announces flights to 15 international destinations from Abu Dhabi in May

Emiratis wishing to return home from any of the foreign destinations where Etihad is flying to should contact their local UAE embassy or consulate

NMC controversy: Founder BR Shetty issues first public statement, denies wrongdoing

Shetty claimed he was also a victim of fraud and put the blame on a “small group of current and former executives”

Prince Alwaleed

Alwaleed Philanthropies allocates $30m to combat the virus

The funds follow Prince Alwaleed’s move to make available many of his assets to support the kingdom’s efforts against the pandemic

Saudi banks act in unison to reassure investors on oil and virus

Lenders warned that it’s still too early “to determine the size and extent of the financial impact at this stage”

Dettol pledges $1m to support frontliners in Saudi Arabia

Dettol’s commitment will come in the form of half a million hygiene and cleaning products that will be used to support frontline health workers throughout the country