Oil slumps again as collapsing demand counters stimulus efforts

Demand is down about 15 million to 20 million barrels a day and will shrink further with India’s decision to go into lockdown

UAE boosts stimulus to $34bn to fend off virus impact

The nation’s central bank earlier this month rolled out a $27bn package

Sharjah

Sharjah issues three-month rent waiver for commercial tenants

All shops within these markets will be exempted from paying rent for three months

Nasdaq Dubai

Sharjah lists $200m sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The emirate listed a $1bn sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai in April 2019, and another $750m sukuk in October

How the infrastructure assets business is countering the downturn

The volume of infrastructure deals has increased to $73bn so far this year, more than the $68bn of transactions announced during the first quarter in 2019

Sharjah activates work-from-home for government employees

Those who necessarily need to be present in the office will work shorter hours and in shifts

Covid-19: Saudi says measures taken will save companies $32bn

The Finance Ministry it would exempt the private sector from some government fees and delay other payments

Covid-19 pandemic could cause 25 million job cuts – ILO

Income losses for workers are estimated between $860bn and $3.4 trillion by the end of 2020

UAE Central Bank cuts interest rates

The move follows a similar announcement by the US Federal Reserve

Abu dhabi uae capital flag

Abu Dhabi reveals new initiatives such as toll waivers, fee cuts to support economy

All vehicles will be exempt from paying road tolls until the end of 2020

Saudi Central Bank declares SAR50bn package to combat coronavirus

Around SAR30bn ($7.99bn) is expected to be made available to banks and finance companies in return for deferring small- and medium-size businesses’ loans

UAE Central Bank announces Dhs100bn package to counter Covid-19

Banks across the country are expected to exercise stable lending practices and treat customers fairly

How the region’s startup ecosystem is gaining ground

What do startups look for to start off on the right foot in the region

Coronavirus: Dubai reveals Dhs1.5bn stimulus package to support businesses

Package includes cancellation of some fees, reduction in utility bills for three months

Lebanon to suspend flights to UK, Egypt, nine other countries

There will be a four-day grace period for Lebanese citizens to return from the countries on the list before the ban comes into effect

Coronavirus: UAE Central Bank asks employees to work from home

The central bank has also set up a committee which is communicating with banks on procedures to ensure continuity of banking

Dubai-based DP World reports 8.3% drop in full-year profits in 2019

Annual revenue meanwhile rose by 36 per cent in 2019 to $7.68bn from $5.6bn in 2018

jafza jebel ali free zone

Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone slashes business licence fees by up to 70%

DP World, UAE Region currently contributes to over 33.4 per cent of Dubai’s GDP

Saudi Arabia’s Aramco to pump 12.3 million bpd in April

It puts Aramco supply above its maximum sustainable capacity, indicating that the kingdom is even tapping its strategic inventories

Dubai begins work-from-home for federal government employees

The policy will be gradually applied to all the other emirates across the country

Oil drops 31% in worst loss since Gulf War as price fight erupts

Goldman Sachs warns that prices could drop to near $20 a barrel

Burj Khalifa[2] dubai

Dubai adds 11,877 jobs in February

Of the total number of licences issued by Dubai DED last month, 72.4 per cent were professional and 26.1 per cent were commercial

UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank sells 2.5 million shares held by NMC’s BR Shetty

Almost 4.8 million shares which belonged to Shetty were held in a nominee account in Falcon Private Bank which were then transferred to First Abu Dhabi Bank on February 5

rta shindagha

Dubai’s RTA awards Dhs450m contract for Falcon Junction project

The project is part of Phase III, expected to be completed by 2022, of the Al Shindagha Corridor Project

UAE government body ADEX approves Dhs550m to finance exports in 2020

The amount is available as direct loans to foreign buyers and as lines of credit to international financial institutions importing goods and services from UAE companies

As the coronavirus spreads, what are the regional implications?

The coronavirus infection that has left China grappling, has also managed to disrupt the global supply chain

UAE’s GDP set to increase 2.5 per cent to Dhs1.5 trillion in 2020

The country’s minister of state also added that it was too early to assess the full impact of VAT on the national economy

Different Arab money

UAE, Saudi and Bahrain lower interest rates in line with Fed move over virus outbreak

Central banks in the GCC matched the Fed’s half-percentage point cut

Coronavirus: Ai Everything and Careers UAE postponed

Ai Everything has been postponed indefinitely, while Careers UAE will take place in October this year

The coronavirus spread is revealing vulnerabilities and excessive risk in the global economy

The good time in capital markets must come to an end at some point, says Saxo Bank CEO