Commercial Bank of Dubai closes $450m loan

The transaction replaced a three-year facility of the same amount and duration

Boards of Abu Dhabi lenders NBAD, FGB recommend merger

A potential merger of the two lenders was first discussed last month

Mideast funds turn more positive on bonds post-Brexit vote

Regional fund managers remain cautious on equities, finds poll

Saudi Electricity gets $1.5bn financing from China’s ICBC

The five-year funding will be used to fund part of SEC’s capital projects

Oman state oil firm raises $4bn loan for projects

The amount raised will be used to finance construction of new facilities

Abu Dhabi orders merger of state funds Mubadala and IPIC

A committee headed by deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan will oversee the merger

UAE’s ‘ultra rich’ to see 20% rise in wealth over five years

Total number of millionaire households to grow by another 8% by 2020 as overall private wealth hits $1 trillion

Mashreq awards deal for new Downtown Dubai HQ

Arabian Construction Company will construct the new 35-storey tower

Gulf stock markets sink on Brexit fears

Dubai was the weakest GCC bourse on Sunday

Saudi Arabia picks banks to manage multi-billion dollar bond

The kingdom is turning to international debt markets to help plug a budget shortfall

UAE, Saudi stock markets fall on Brexit worries

Dubai’s index was down 4.6 per cent in early trade while Saudi’s Tadawul fell 3.7 per cent

Middle East stock markets could take hit from Brexit on Sunday

The greatest impact of a weaker pound and euro is anticipated to be felt in the UAE

Saudi, UAE say Brexit to have little impact on their financial institutions

Saudi said it had already made some adjustments to assets denominated in sterling and euros

What are the GCC region’s high margin industries?

Here’s what regional industries can do to improve profitability

Commercial Bank of Dubai closes in on up to $500m loan

The three-year loan will be used to refinance existing debt

Gulf stock markets lack direction before Brexit vote

Investors in Gulf bourses have remained largely on the sidelines because of Ramadan

Deloitte says ‘disappointed’ by Saudi regulator ban

The company is barred from offering auditing services to CMA-authorised companies in Saudi for two years

Market volatility to intensify as Brexit vote looms

Expats urged to keep a close eye on their investments as Thursday’s vote approaches

NBAD, FGB merger could lead to 30% cost savings

Executive who oversaw Emirates Bank and National Bank of Dubai merger says cost savings could come through reduced branch networks, less head office space

Different Arab money

GCC companies should start preparing for VAT, excise tax

New PwC report urges regional firms to ensure systems are in place for the new taxes

Abu Dhabi banks NBAD and FGB confirm merger talks, shares soar

Each lender has formed a working group to “review the commercial potential” of a merger

Saudi regulator bans Deloitte from audit work for two years

Deloitte has been barred because of its involvement with troubled Saudi contractor MMG

Saudi market regulator jails two executives of contractor MMG

The company’s founder Mohammad Al-Mojil and his son Adel Al-Mojil were sentenced to five years in prison.

Oman finance ministry to issue $2.5bn sukuk to plug budget gap

The bonds will consist of a $1bn five-year issue and a $1.5bn 10-year issue

Small international banks begin entering Iran

The world’s big banks have continued to stay away because they fear being penalised by remaining US sanctions

Qatar plans zones with tax incentives to lure overseas investors

Under a draft law, Qatar plans three economic zones

Abu Dhabi banks NBAD, FGB in early merger talks

The possible merger could be made as soon as this month

UAE introduces VAT threshold for firms in phase 1

The first phase covers companies with annual revenues exceeding Dhs 3.75m

Saudi cabinet approves regulations for ‘white land’ tax

Proposals aimed at reducing housing shortage in urban areas

Qatar National Bank acquires Turkey’s Finansbank

The Qatari lender is now the largest bank in the Middle East and Africa by assets