Saudi boosts spending in 2019 budget to spur sluggish economy

Spending is projected to rise to SAR1.106 trillion ($295bn) next year

Saudi King orders extension of ‘cost of living allowance’ for another year

The allowance is given to state employees, military personnel, retirees and students to offset rising costs

UAE sets up new fund accelerator for start-ups

A total of 25 local and international companies will be selected by the fund

UAE tops MENA for wage equality, Arab region remains world’s least gender-equal

It will take the MENA economies “153 years to close the gender gap at the current rate of change”

Dubai issues 1,748 new business licences in November

The DED has issued a total of 27,609 new licences between January and November this year

New SME district launched in Dubai’s Al Seef

The hub will focus on SMEs in sectors including design, fashion, F&B and information technology

Bahrain’s new parliament readies austerity push

The country plans to implements reforms to subsidies and pensions to avert a debt crisis

Abu Dhabi to exempt all new economic licences from local fees for two years

Municipality fees for 98 services will also be cancelled or reduced

Dubai’s Al Habtoor says 2018 marks start of economic recovery, plans new projects

Healthcare and education are some of the ‘more promising sectors’ for investments in the UAE, he said

UAE set to launch 100 new initiatives as part of national strategy

The initiatives will cover topics such as food security, artificial intelligence, culture and heritage, quality of life and advanced science

Abu dhabi uae capital flag

UAE Cabinet approves long-term visas for certain expats, lists conditions

Long term visas will be granted to investors, entrepreneurs, specialists in the medical, scientific, research and technical fields and outstanding students

Saudi king launches $2.8bn projects, pardons prisoners in the Northern Border region

The monarch is currently on a domestic tour of the country

Different Arab money

IMF says GCC economies to recover strongly in 2019

GDP growth in the Gulf region is estimated to reach 2.4 per cent in 2018 and 3 per cent in 2019

Saudi King to visit and launch projects in northern regions, mining city next week

King Salman launched several projects during a domestic tour last week

UAE to list sectors for full foreign investment in early 2019

The new FDI law, approved last month, allows foreigners to own more than 49 per cent and up to 100 per cent in UAE-based businesses

Growth rate in Dubai’s non-oil private sector eases to 31-month low

Slower improvements in activity and new work, as well as another contraction in employment led to the slowdown

UAE’s new FDI law: What compensation will foreign investors get in dispute resolution?

The new law provides for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and/or expedited local court process in the UAE

Saudi posts big decline in Q3 fiscal deficit as oil revenues rise

Riyadh aims to balance its budget by 2023

Saudi to waive $6bn debts of less-developed countries

The Cabinet also approved a number of measures regarding the procedures of filing labour lawsuits

Saudis offer Pakistan $6bn rescue package to ease economic crisis

The agreement came as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attended a Saudi investment conference in Riyadh

Saudi’s investment summit begins despite pullout over Khashoggi killing

Hundreds of bankers and company executives are still expected to join officials in Riyadh

UAE ranks among top 30 most competitive nations in the world

The UAE ranked high for its stable macroeconomic conditions, good infrastructure and one of the highest levels of ICT adoption in the world

Saudi to resume paying annual allowances to all state employees next year

The payments had been linked to annual appraisals, but that will no longer be the case, according to reports

UAE rolls out affordable insurance scheme to replace bank guarantees

The country is abolishing a guarantee system that requires a deposit of Dhs3,000 per employee

Bahrain does not plan new dollar bond issue this year

Bahrain signed an agreement last week with Saudi, the UAE and Kuwait for a $10bn aid package

Employment levels drop in Dubai’s private sector, travel and tourism most hit

Monthly poll finds that employment levels fell at the fastest pace in September since the survey began in January 2010

Oman to privatise two electricity firms in 2019

Oman has outlined plans in recent years to sell off state assets as it seeks to confront fiscal deficits

UAE law allowing 100% foreign ownership to apply selectively, won’t hurt locals

Officials say the new law will only apply to “strategic sectors” of the economy

Oman could announce US dollar sukuk sale this week

Oman has borrowed extensively in the international markets over the past few years to finance state spending

Bahrain’s parliament approves draft VAT law

The bill is yet to be approved by the parliament’s upper house, which is expected to hold a similar session later this week