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

Dubai Financial Market planning to allow short-selling

The move could increase trading liquidity in the market

Oman 2017 budget projects smaller deficit as govt plans tax hikes

The government is mulling changes to income tax and changes to fees charged for hiring foreign workers

Saudi wealth fund PIF denies plans to buy stake in UAE’s Utico

On Wednesday, Utico CEO said that PIF planned to buy a “significant minority stake” in the utility

UAE motorists may have to pay more for car insurance under new law

The new tariff system is anticipated to particularly impact drivers of vehicles worth Dhs50,000 or less

Saudi bank deposits rise to their highest this year in November

Deposits fell earlier this year as the government placed less money with domestic banks

Saudi sovereign fund to buy stake in UAE utility firm Utico

Public Investment Fund (PIF) has entered into a binding agreement with the private utility provider

Four senior staff to leave Abu Dhabi bank NBAD ahead of merger with FGB

The lender’s deputy group CEO is among those leaving, according to sources

Kuwait’s NBK, KAMCO invited to participate in sovereign bond issue

Kuwait plans to sell as much as $10bn of US dollar-denominated bonds in international markets

Abu Dhabi bourse to introduce short-selling in Q1 2017 – CEO

The move is hoped to help ADX boost liquidity and attract more foreign investors

Dubai’s Shuaa buys 14% of Bahrain’s Khaleeji Commercial Bank

The stake will be used to support the bank’s expansion, said Shuaa

Saudi has no immediate plans to tax expat remittances

The kingdom is reportedly discussing plans to impose a tax of between 2 to 6 per cent on remittances

New bank for Overseas Filipino Workers coming to Saudi

A merger of two state-owned firms will create a new bank for OFWs

UAE eyes stricter regulation of infamous 25-year savings plans

The country is seeking to clamp down on commission-led products, according to Globaleye

Deal-making to drive 2017 Middle Eastern banking fees

Fees from the Middle East reached $581m during the first nine months of 2016

Qatari bank trio in talks for potential $44bn merger

The new bank would be run in compliance with Islamic banking principles

Careem closes first part of $500m funding round

Careem said the cash would be used to help with its expansion plans