UK officials told that Saudi Aramco IPO unlikely until 2019

The Saudi government had targeted a market listing by the second half of 2018

Bahrain’s Investcorp to establish $100m fund for Oman’s pension funds

The Opportunities Fund will make private equity investments in the US and Europe

Emirates NBD approves 40% dividend

Dubai’s Emirates NBD plans capital hike ahead of possible acquisition

The bank said in January it had started initial strategic talks for a possible purchase of the Russian lender’s stake in Turkey’s Denizbank

Creditors look to sell Saudi Arabia’s Al-Gosaibi debt on rising price

Assets belonging to Saad and its owner Maan al-Sanea are due to be auctioned

Saudi crown prince seeks solution to $2.6bn Islamic tax row

Banks are contesting extra zakat tax payments demanded by the government

Dubai’s Abraaj frees private equity investors from capital commitments

The move underscores the impact on Abraaj’s business from a dispute with four other investors

Dubai’s Amanat acquires 35% stake in Abu Dhabi University Holding

The company operates across private education and training, real estate, facilities management and other industries

Dubai’s DIFC attracts 315 new companies in 2017

Much of the growth came from Africa, South America, the Middle East and Asia

Kuwait Stock Exchange preparing for IPO in Q1 2019

The Kuwaiti bourse has a market capitalisation of about $90bn

Indonesian govt lists two sukuk valued at $3bn on Nasdaq Dubai

The Indonesian government is the largest sukuk issuer on Nasdaq Dubai

VAT: UAE extends penalty deadline for non-registered firms

Businesses that are late in registering with the authority will be exempt from administrative penalties until April 30

UAE’s Abraaj suspends fundraising for $6bn new fund

The firm’s founder, Arif Naqvi, stepped down as chief executive earlier this week

UAE’s ADNOC encourages banks to establish Abu Dhabi presence

Abu Dhabi opened a financial zone in 2015

All VAT-registered UAE firms must submit returns, pay tax by Feb-end

The penalty for those who fail to pay tax is no less than Dhs500

Bahrain’s GFH appoints Abu Dhabi Financial Group’s Alseddiqi as chairman

The new appointment could revive the prospect of a merger between GFH and Dubai-based Shuaa Capital

UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank to enter Saudi in 2018

The bank has applied for a commercial banking licence in the kingdom

Founder of Dubai private equity firm Abraaj hands over control of fund

The moves comes weeks after a reported dispute between Abraaj and four of its investors

Saudi banks worried by jump in tax liabilities

Some bankers worry the demands might essentially be a money grab by the government

MSCI’s Saudi decision will be independent of Aramco listing

The government plans to sell about 5 per cent of the national oil firm in the second half of 2018

Bahrain, Manama, Cityscape view of Bahrain World Trade Center and Bahrain Financial Harbor

National Bank of Bahrain eyes advisory roles on big projects – CEO

Bahrain has a pipeline of large-scale infrastructure developments valued at around $32bn

Dubai-based Enhance closes $1.5m seed funding round

The company plans to use the funds to launch new online marketplaces

National Bank of Oman CEO resigns

Ahmed Jafar Al Musalami has served as CEO since 2014

Saudi Arabia’s Samba, Alawwal underline banking upturn

Samba recorded an 11.4 per cent rise in fourth-quarter net profit, while Alawwal swung into profit

Qatar’s Commercial Bank agrees to sell stake in UAE’s UAB to Tabarak

The sale comes amid a diplomatic rift between Qatar and the UAE

Nasdaq Dubai launches Abu Dhabi, Dubai index futures

Gulf countries have generally been slow to introduce equity derivatives

UAE banks see end to $22bn Saudi debt dispute

Saudi Arabia’s Saad Group and Ahmad Hamad al-Gosaibi & Bros Co defaulted in 2009

Dubai gold trader obtains first Middle East cryptocurrency licence

The company will offer the storage of bitcoin, ethereum and other currencies at a vault in Dubai

Dubai exchange explores options as India stops licensing securities abroad

India-related contracts have been a major reason for growth in the DGCX’s business over recent months

UK fraud office charges Barclays over $3bn Qatar loan

The SFO said a date for the first court appearance will be set in due course

Citigroup targets rapid Middle East and Africa growth in 2018

Saudi Arabia is likely to lead the growth, with the UAE, Egypt and Nigeria also key drivers