Saudi sovereign fund creates $1.07bn ‘fund of funds’ to back SMEs

The PIF expects the investments to create 2,600 jobs and contribute SAR400m to GDP by the end of 2020

Saudi central bank paints rosy picture of economy

Latest official data showed the economy in recession during the second quarter

UAE banks seek to reduce cash usage with new app

Klip allows the cashless spending, transfer and storage of money

Bahrain’s Investcorp eyes businesses linked to Aramco, Saudi healthcare

The firm is eyeing businesses that “live around Aramco”

Survey reveals 76% of UAE residents plan to delay retirement

Residents were found to be avoiding retirement for financial and social reasons

Saudi market regulator loosens asset management rules

The revisions will reduce requirements for obtaining a “management activity” licence

Dubai’s Mashreq to cut branches as it shifts towards digital banking

The downsizing will translate into a reduction of 15 to 20 per cent of the bank’s staff in retail services

Saudi stocks may be hurt, Kuwait uninspired by FTSE’s index decisions

On Friday FTSE said it would reevaluate Saudi’s emerging market index inclusion in March next year

Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala swings to H1 profit

Mubadala suffered a net loss of Dhs4.7bn in the first half of 2016

Saudi Arabia sells third international bond to raise $12.5bn

Wednesday’s issue was split into three tranches

Alabbar-backed VC firm launches $250m MENA fund

The Middle East Venture Fund III will invest in early-stage and growth-stage tech companies

Saudi Arabia hires banks for third international bond

Saudi Arabia could issue up to $10bn, banking sources said

Dubai’s Arqaam Capital launches specialist fixed income funds in DIFC

The funds will target annual returns of 6-7 per cent

Dubai Parks operator takes Dhs245m loan from shareholder Meraas

The loan will be used to fund operational expenses and debt repayments

Dubai’s Atlas Jewellery still struggling to resolve debt issues

Atlas defaulted on loans in 2015 and its owner, M M Ramachandran, was sentenced to a three-year jail term

Saudi completes third monthly issue of domestic sukuk

Riyadh started issuing domestic conventional bonds in 2015

Abu Dhabi Financial Group plans $100m private bond sale

The privately owned investment company has over $5bn of assets under management

Abu Dhabi Global Market, KPMG select 11 finalists for fintech challenge

Two winners will be selected and invited to demonstrate their solutions at the Global FinTech Hackcelerator in Singapore

Abu Dhabi bank ADCB’s services will be unavailable for three days

The bank is carrying out a system enhancement during the end of the month

Saudi’s Kingdom sells 90% interest in Four Seasons Langkawi for $90m

The aggregate gross consideration for the transaction amounted to $90m

Middle East VC firm MEVP invests in online travel site Wego

The investment was made in exchange for an equity ownership in Wego

Why China sets an example for Saudi’s MSCI inclusion

China’s inclusion in MSCI’s main indices can provide lessons for Saudi Arabia

Banks in UAE join forces to fight cyber security threat

The UAE Banks Federation is partnering with Anomali to create the Information Sharing and Analysis Center

Doha Bank cuts UAE staff as Qatar crisis continues

One source said around 100 staff could be put on leave, while another said it might be as high as 200

France’s Credit Agricole sells 16.2% stake in Saudi bank to Prince Alwaleed’s firm

Credit Agricole will remain a strategic shareholder in Banque Saudi Fransi

Dubai’s DIFC launches new academy to offer executive education courses

The Academy will form partnerships with business schools and universities to offer the courses

Dubai Land Department to soon issue new rules for REITs

The authority also plans to introduce fees for investors when they enter and exit REITs

Abu Dhabi Global Market receives 166 applications for fintech challenge

The organisation will select 10 finalists for its five-week start-up programme

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UAE’s tax authority prepares for excise tax, VAT implementation

Excise tax takes effect next month, while VAT will be implemented in January 2018

UAE startup Now Money closes $1.46m bridge funding round

The round included $700,000 from Dubai-based venture capital firm Myrisoph Capital