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 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

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

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

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 petrol prices for May declared

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

First Abu Dhabi Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank reports 22% decrease in year-on-year Q1 2020 net profit

Meanwhile, the value of total assets of the UAE’s largest bank rose 14 per cent to Dhs835bn

British Business Group

British Business Group in the UAE launches new website to support companies

Nearly 65 per cent of British Business Group members say they need more clarity on the UAE government schemes available to them

Dubai to raise bonds privately to bolster finances

The emirate raised Dhs1bn through a private placement of eight-year Islamic bonds at a rate of 4.71 per cent earlier this month

Dubai reduces instant licence fee by over 90 per cent to Dhs250

For existing licence holders, the new fee will apply at the time of renewals

Egypt asks IMF for financial aid amid coronavirus fight

Egypt has reported 4,319 cases of the coronavirus, including 307 deaths

How businesses will reinvent themselves in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic?

Lack of labour availability, disrupted supply chains and other impacts will require serious appraisal if organisations are to effectively deliver their reshaped services to customers

Abu Dhabi’s main refinery makes China sales push after servicing

Prior to the pandemic, the plant had been mostly targeting Europe for sales of low-sulfur diesel and jet fuel

DAFZA announces incentives to support freezone companies

DAFZA will also cancel fines issued to companies

Dubai’s DIFC says employers can reduce pay during Covid-19 crisis without employee consent

The new directives will remain effective from April 21 – July 31, 2020

Dubai eases movement restrictions, allows malls and offices to partially reopen

Public transport services, including Dubai Metro services, will resume from Sunday, April 26

Revealed: Dubai issues list of guidelines for reopening malls, offices

The official date for reopening businesses is expected to be “announced shortly”

Saudi Arabia could borrow record $58bn as oil slump bites

The government is looking at additional spending cuts and may issue as much as an additional SAR100bn of debt on top of SAR120bn riyals already announced

Dubai World Trade Centre

Dubai World Trade Centre announces new measures to support businesses

A full refund will be offered to exhibitors on cancelled events and where a new schedule is not feasible for the participants

DIFC Courts

Dubai’s DIFC Courts introduces video conferencing to register wills online

A testator and two witnesses can join via video conferencing from different locations

Abu Dhabi City United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi launches new committee to protect private sector workers’ rights

The committee will ensure the existence of valid employment contracts and that workers are receiving their salaries

UAE extends deadline to submit VAT returns to May 28

The move will facilitate businesses and service providers to meet their obligations without facing any difficulties

UAE’s Virtuzone launches free online marketplace for SMEs

The platform will allow businesses to offer time sensitive deals to customers

Expired Emirates IDs will be valid for banking transactions in the UAE

The country’s central bank also instructed all banks to consider entry permits issued to expats in the UAE from March 1 – December 31, 2020 to be valid

Bahrain follows Saudi Arabia, Oman with budget cuts amid crisis

The kingdom has so far reported 1,895 virus cases and seven deaths

Oil rebounds from record wipeout with prices edging above zero

Futures in New York traded at around $1 a barrel after sinking to as low as minus $40.32 during Monday’s collapse

Dubai Silicon Oasis offers rent waivers, deferred payments to residents, startups and retailers

Existing residential tenants at Dubai Silicon Oasis can now make monthly payments towards their rent

VC firms raised $21bn last quarter despite pandemic chaos

In the first quarter of this year, 62 venture capital funds raised a total of $21bn in the US