Saudi sets upper limit for gasoline prices as oil prices climb

The decision was made to “decrease the burden of living costs on citizens and residents”

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank lists $750m bond on Nasdaq Dubai

Dubai’s US-dollar denominated debt listings are now valued at $98.5bn

coronavirus saudi arabia

Saudis may work longer, pay more to fill pension fund gap

The average Saudi life expectancy is 75 years, and the official retirement age is about 60 for men and women

UAE business conditions improve; employment rises

Employment rose for the first time since January and at the quickest pace in more than two years

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets Israeli foreign minister in UAE

Sheikh Abdullah and Yair Lapid signed an agreement for economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed launches new platforms to support startups and investors in the UAE

The UAE will also host a new Investopia Investment Summit in March 2022

Only vaccinated individuals now allowed to enter malls, restaurants, gyms and salons in Kuwait

A person will need to show their vaccination status on the My Identity or Immunity mobile application

UAE to enter 25 new markets to boost foreign trade – Sheikh Mohammed

The UAE is seeking to grow its national exports by 50 per cent over the coming years

Almost 9 out of 10 UAE-based SMEs are optimistic about the next 12 months – study

SMEs across the country have identified easier access to funding, acceptance of digital payments and training and upskilling staff as the top three drivers for growth

How are SMEs driving economic growth in Saudi Arabia?

At the forefront of Vision 2030, SMEs are diversifying the economy as the kingdom competes in a global arena

Sheikh Mohammed approves new board of Dubai Chambers

The board will work to create a comprehensive unified strategy for Dubai Chambers

What should come next for debutant board members

The first board meeting is obviously when the learning curve is steepest

Can consumers drive the post-Covid recovery?

There are increasing hopes that the reopening of economies will generate a powerful consumer-led recovery

Sheikh Mohammed announces countdown for Expo 2020 Dubai

Countries will not be clustered by their geography, but under Expo 2020’s three subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability

Kuwait’s $134bn pension fund has record gain in turnaround

The $134bn pension fund recorded 20.9 per cent growth in assets in the year ended March 31

Oman

Oman to introduce new long-term residency programme for foreign investors

Starting September 2021, the Investment Residency Programme will offer renewable five and ten-year visas subject to applicants meeting specific criteria

E-commerce

UAE retail e-commerce market reaches $3.9bn in 2020

In 2020, the apparel and footwear category had the highest share of 33 per cent ($1.3bn) in the UAE retail e-commerce market

Dubai UAE

Dubai repays 10-year $500m bond certificates

The 10-year note, under the Euro Medium Term Note Programme, reached maturity on June 22, 2021

UAE Central Bank sees inflation picking up in second half

Gross domestic product is seen rising 2.4 per cent this year

Nasdaq Dubai Indonesia Government

Indonesian government lists three sukuk valued at $3bn on Nasdaq Dubai

The total value of all sukuk listed by the Indonesian government on the exchange now stands at $19.75bn

Saudi non-oil economy rebounded to 2.9% growth in first quarter

In the first quarter, Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy grew at its fastest pace since 2019

Netanyahu’s reign over as Israel ushers in fragile government

The new coalition will govern with the slimmest majorities – commanding 61 of parliament’s 120 seats

Google startup accelerator

How Dubai Next can be a gamechanger for the startup ecosystem

Here’s how the platform can help champion innovation and reduce the failure rate among startups within the region

Dubai external trade

Dubai’s non-oil external trade grows to Dhs354bn in Q1 2021

China remained Dubai’s largest trading partner in Q1 2021, with Dhs44bn worth of trade

Emirates Development Bank

Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Development Bank closes $750m five-year bond

This was the second USD transaction issued under EDB’s $3bn Euro Medium Term Note programme

Emirates-NBD

Emirates NBD lists $750m bond on Nasdaq Dubai

Emirates NBD the largest financial services bond issuer on Nasdaq Dubai through seven listings with a total value of $5.1bn

Saudi business activity expands at fastest pace since 2017

The kingdom’s Purchasing Managers’ Index survey compiled by IHS Markit rose to the highest since January

Abu Dhabi Ports

ADX lists $1bn bonds issued by Abu Dhabi Ports

The exchange’s market capitalisation increased 27 per cent during the first quarter of 2021 to Dhs940bn

Alliance forms Israeli government to unseat Netanyahu

In a historic first, an Arab faction is to become part of an Israeli governing alliance

Emirates Development Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai

Emirates Development Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai sign MoU for SME lending programme

CBD can offer up to Dhs10m financing to an SME, and 50 per cent of the facility amount will be either guaranteed or co-lent by EDB