Trump orders creation of a US sovereign wealth fund (SWF) GettyImages

Trump signs order to create US sovereign wealth fund

The executive order mandates the delivery of a comprehensive plan for the fund’s establishment within 90 days

Saudi Arabia IPO: PIF-backed developer Umm Al Qura to list on Tadawul

Saudi IPO: PIF-backed developer Umm Al Qura to list on Tadawul

The Saudi Exchange granted conditional approval on December 8, 2024, for the listing of Umm Al Qura’s shares on Tadawul’s Main Market

UAE- CORPORATE TAX - FREE ZONE

This GCC country has just approved a draft law on personal income tax

Six other draft laws were jointly issued by the councils

Ajman Bank

Ajman Bank achieves record-breaking profits in 2024

Ajman Bank’s strong performance in 2024 is highlighted by its total operating income of Dhs1.5bn and net operating income of Dhs736m

Saudi Arabian poultry producer Entaj plans to sell 30% stake in Riyadh IPO

Saudi Arabian poultry producer Entaj plans to sell 30% stake in Riyadh IPO

The firm has appointed SNB Capital as the lead manager, financial adviser, bookrunner and underwriter for the IPO

Based on US fed move, central bank of uae maintains base rate jan 2025-image-WAM

CBUAE maintains base rate at 4.40%; reflects US Fed move

The decision follows the US Fed’s latest move to hold rates steady, signalling a cautious approach toward further tightening amid evolving economic conditions

Saudi Arabia's PIF completes $4bn bond issuance

Saudi Arabia’s PIF completes $4bn bond issuance

The offering was four times oversubscribed with strong demand from a range of global investors

Saudi Arabia’s Derayah Financial plans to sell 20% stake in Riyadh IPO

Derayah Financial plans to sell 20% stake in Riyadh IPO

The brokerage is offering 49.94 million shares, representing 20 per cent of the company’s total issued share capital

Oman’s Asyad Group plans to sell at least 20% of shipping unit via IPO

Oman’s Asyad Group plans to sell at least 20% of shipping unit via IPO

Asyad Shipping transports LNG, crude oil, and other products and counts BP, Shell and trading firm Trafigura among its customers and partners

Global FDI touches $1.4tn in 2024: UNCTAD

Global FDI touches $1.4tn in 2024: UNCTAD

The report anticipates moderate growth in global FDI in 2025, driven by improved financing conditions and an increase in mergers and acquisitions

Trump Inauguration: Dollar dips, stocks creep higher as his second term dawns

Trump Inauguration: Dollar dips, stocks creep higher as his second term dawns

Trump promised a “brand new day of American strength” at a rally on Sunday, January 19.

The payments revolution: Strategic imperatives for payment service providers

The payments revolution: Strategic imperatives for payment service providers

Payment service providers need to rethink their business model and take advantage of their customer relationships to offer more diversified services that meet the changing needs of consumers and businesses

Ben Cockram offers Insights on key compliance trends in the Middle East

Insights: Key compliance trends in the Middle East

We look at how companies can navigate the compliance landscape in the Middle East

DIB bumps up stake in Türkiye’s T.O.M. Group to 25%

DIB bumps up stake in Türkiye’s T.O.M. Group to 25%

The group includes TOM Katılım Bankası – Türkiye’s first licensed digital retail bank; TOM Pay Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri and TOM Finansman

DMCC, REIT Development to build Crypto Tower in Dubai's JLT

DMCC, REIT Development to build Crypto Tower in Dubai’s JLT

Crypto Tower will offer 150,000 square feet of leasable space including nine office floors and dedicated floors for blockchain incubators, VC and investment firms, and AI innovation

Abu Dhabi’s ADIA acquires stake in Canadian Firm Innocap

Abu Dhabi’s ADIA acquires stake in Canadian Firm Innocap

The Canadian platform has identified the Middle East as a key growth market and plans to open an office in Abu Dhabi in 2025

Syria’s new central bank chief vows to boost bank independence post-Assad

Syria’s new central bank chief vows to boost bank independence post-Assad

The changes would need the approval of Syria’s new governing authority, though the process is unclear at this stage

GCC’s biggest bank QNB posts 10% jump in full-year net profit

GCC’s biggest bank QNB posts 10% jump in full-year net profit

The board proposed a cash dividend of 37 per cent of the nominal share value (QAR0.37 per share).

Saudi Arabia’s PIF completes acquisition of 23.08% stake in Saudi Re

Saudi Arabia’s PIF completes acquisition of 23.08% stake in Saudi Re

The investment is expected to boost the growth of the local reinsurance sector and improve coverage for commercial activities for insurance firms and companies in general

2025 price hikes: Salik, parking, sewerage fees, insurance Image courtesy WAM

2025 price hikes: Salik, parking, sewerage fees, insurance

From updated Salik toll prices and reinstated alcohol taxes to rising insurance premiums and new EV charging tariffs, here’s a breakdown of key price hikes to watch for this year

b2b BNPL potential to transform global-trade -ADL report

B2B BNPL’s transformative potential in global trade: report

B2B BNPL transaction volumes are expected to hit $25-30tn by 2030, according to the ADL report

DAMAC partners with MANTRA to tokenise $1bn in real-world assets

DAMAC partners with MANTRA to tokenise $1bn in real-world assets

The DAMAC Group assets will be available on MANTRA Chain in early 2025, exclusively through the blockchain platform

Aldar Properties marks milestone, issues $1bn hybrid notes

The success of this hybrid issuance underscores the growing investor confidence in its ability to deliver on its transformational growth strategy

UAE’s FAB to offload $800m bad debt to Deutsche Bank

UAE’s FAB to offload $800m bad debt to Deutsche Bank – report

The German lender outbid other international candidates for the soured loans, but it is not yet clear how much it will pay for the loan book

Kuwait’s Warba Bank to acquire nearly 33% stake in Gulf Bank

Kuwait’s Warba Bank to acquire nearly 33% stake in Gulf Bank

The transfer of the shares will be completed upon obtaining the necessary approval from the regulatory authorities

Nilesh Ashar, Senior Managing Director & Head of Tax Middle East, FTI Consulting offers insights on the impact of new taxes on the GCC

GCC countries: From tax havens to global business hubs

New tax regimes in the GCC nations will unleash a new era of growth and economic resilience for the region

Egypt’s net foreign assets decline by $3.25bn in November

Egypt’s net foreign assets decline by $3.25bn in November

The country has been using net foreign assets to help prop up its currency since as long ago as September 2021

Saudi Arabia taps debt markets with $12bn three-part bond

Saudi Arabia taps debt markets with $12bn three-part bond

The kingdom sold $5bn, $3bn and $4bn in tenors of three, six and 10 years, respectively, and the total order book reached around $37bn

Zand Bank, Klickl International partner to advance digital finance

Zand Bank, Klickl International partner to advance digital finance

Zand Bank (Zand) has announced a strategic collaboration with Klickl International (Klickl), a Web3 open…

PIF secures $7bn inaugural murabaha credit facility

Saudi’s PIF secures $7bn murabaha credit facility

The Shariah-compliant financing structure forms part of PIF’s continued objective of diversifying its funding sources