UAE residents found it harder to get loans in 2016 – report

The number of UAE residents applying for personal loans dropped in 2016

MSCI says it welcomes Saudi stock market reforms

MSCi said it could launch in June a review of whether to include Saudi in its emerging market index

Saudi Shoura Council rejects proposal to tax expat remittances

The proposal included a 6 per cent tax on expat remittances

Dubai’s Mashreq Q4 net profit slides 20.7%

The lender made a net profit of Dhs441m in the three months to December 31

Dubai Islamic Bank Q4 net profit rises 58.4%, targets 2017 loan growth

The bank made Dhs1.37bn ($373m) in the three months to December 31

UAE mid-level managers paid an average of $95,120 per year – report

Saudi Arabia was found to have the second highest gross salaries in the MEA region

Abu Dhabi merges Mubadala, IPIC to create $125bn fund, CEO appointed

The new fund, Mubadala Investment, will be run by CEO Khaldoon al-Mubarak

Regional start-ups struggle to get ‘smart money’ from investors

Securing funds remains a hurdle for entrepreneurs looking to get their initiative off the ground

UAE’s Abraaj makes first direct investment in Chile

Abraaj bought a majority stake in Chilean home designer Casaideas

UAE-based Abraaj says has invested about $3bn in Africa

Abraaj has invested in more than 40 African companies spanning healthcare, mining and dairy

First 4 firms approved to list on Saudi’s parallel market

Applications from 77 other firms are being reviewed

Saudi Binladin seeks extension on SAR10bn Grand Mosque financing

Contractors in Saudi Arabia have had to deal with delays to projects and late payment

Qatar central bank sells QAR15bn in domestic bonds

This is Qatar’s first domestic government debt offer this year

Emirates NBD Q4 net profit dips 13%

The bank reported a 2 per cent rise in annual net profit for 2016

Qatar National Bank eyes SE Asia growth after Q4 profit rises

QNB completed the 2.7bn euro purchase of Finansbank, Turkey’s fifth-largest private lender, in 2016

Investment Corporation of Dubai invests in Swiss banking app Centralway Numbrs

Centralway Numbrs CEO Martin Saidler said the company planned to use the backing to roll out new features

Saudi bourse aims to extend trading settlement time before MSCI review

MSCI will decide in June whether to review Saudi for inclusion in its emerging market index

Different Arab money

Oman in talks with GCC states for multi-billion dollar deposit

The talks are at an early stage but “signs so far are positive”, a source said

DIFC, Accenture launch new fintech accelerator in Dubai

The new initiative, called FinTech Hive, will focus on providing mentorship to start-ups and entrepreneurs

Dubai reveals new public parking rates for commercial areas

December business conditions improve in Dubai but little job growth

Emirates NBD noted a jump in construction activity and sentiment during the month but relatively little job growth

Saudi bourse to start T+2 settlement in Q2

The move is part of a drive to attract more foreign investment

Dubai finalising loans for airport expansion and Expo 2020

The government is due to get commitments from banks over the next two weeks for a $3bn loan

Investment Corporation of Dubai expected to issue dollar bond this month

The company holds stakes in Emirates Airline and Emirates NBD

UAE introduces new limits on venture capital funds

The new rules include limits on risk exposure and annual report requirements

Kuwait Stock Exchange appoints new chairman

Kuwait’s emir appointed previous chairman Essam Abdul Mohsen al-Marzouq to head the oil ministry

What can we expect from world markets in 2017?

Michael Hasenstab, chief investment officer of Templeton Global Macro, looks at how emerging markets across the world might perform in 2017

UAE bank NBAD confirms resignation of four senior managers

No specific reason was given for the departures

Qatar International Islamic Bank gets approval to expand in Morocco

QIIB plans to open a bank in Morocco with local lender Credit Immobilier et Hotelier

MENA startups received $870m funding in 2016 – report

The amount represents an increase of 424 per cent compared to 2015, according to Magnitt

Dubai’s Amlak announces renegotiation of restructuring terms

The company said it approached financiers to wave “a number of restrictive covenants” in its original restructuring terms in 2014