Middle East firms’ business confidence falls in Q2 2015

Nearly 43 per cent of regional companies polled said that they were looking for opportunities in other markets, a new survey shows

Dubai stock market suffers biggest one-day fall since December 2014

Dubai’s stocks closed down 7 per cent as oil prices weakened

Introduction of VAT in UAE unlikely to deter foreign investors – analyst

The UAE is currently in the process of drafting out laws for the implementation of value added tax

UAE stocks sink on oil’s slide, Saudi worries

The main stock index in Dubai, the region’s most volatile market, tumbled 4.0 per cent to 3,563 points, hitting a four-month low

Arab Bank says report of $1bn settlement is ‘inaccurate’

Citing an unnamed source, the trade magazine The American Lawyer reported that Arab Bank had agreed to pay “slightly more than $1bn” to settle litigation

Fitch revises Saudi Arabia’s outlook to negative

Fitch said on Friday it expects the general government deficit to widen to 14.4 per cent of GDP in 2015

Pakistan’s MCB looks to the Middle East to drive growth

Pakistani finance minister Ishaq Dar said that both the UAE and Pakistan could learn from each other when dealing with issues such as extremism

India increases currency, duty free allowances for NRIs, tourists

The Indian currency allowance has been raised to Rs 25,000, while the limit for duty free goods has been hiked to Rs 45,000

Dubai’s DGCX appoints Gaurang Desai as CEO

Desai had been appointed acting CEO a year ago after former CEO Gary Anderson resigned due to ill health

Stock news: Dubai tumbles 2.7% after oil hits new low

Oil prices in the United States tumbled to their lowest level since 2009 on Wednesday

Saudi stock market plunge not caused by govt selling shares

The main Saudi stock index has plunged 12 per cent this month

Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments appoints new CEO

The state fund has appointed IPIC’s director of investments Mohamed Hamad Al Mehairi as Aabar’s new CEO

Dubai’s ruler issues new law to boost public-private partnerships

The law aims to encourage the private sector to participate and invest in infrastructure development

UAE says introducing VAT delayed by disagreement in region

Once a decision to impose VAT is made, the public will be given about 18 months to prepare for the implementation, state news agency WAM said

UAE’s NMC Health completes purchase of Dr Sunny Healthcare Group

The deal expands NMC’s addressable market and patient cross-referral capabilities of its network

UAE Exchange bids for finance company Dunia

Majid Al Futtaim and other local banks have also reportedly bid for Dunia

Saudi’s ACWA Power says raises extra $295.7m of bank finance

It increased its 2013 revolving credit facility by SAR400m, with National Commercial Bank and Samba Financial Group contributing equally to the extra amount

Bahrain to remove meat subsidies as cheap oil hits budget

Bahraini citizens will be compensated for the higher meat prices

Arab Bank settles US lawsuit over attacks by militants

Approximately 500 U.S. citizens had sued Arab Bank under the U.S Anti-Terrorism Act

Kuwait’s Agility Q2 net profit rises 5.5%

The firm said net profit in the three months to June 30 was KD 13.5m

Nearly half of Saudis are ‘uncomfortable’ with their debt – study

Many Saudis take bank loans to consolidate existing debts, according to a new report

Dubai’s July non-oil business growth slowest since 2012

The index fell to 53.1 in July from 55.5 in June, recording the slowest growth rate since March 2012

Amanat invests SAR 200m in Saudi-based healthcare firm

The firm said that its board approved the acquisition of a 35 per cent stake in Sukoon

Moody’s sees UAE property firms’ adoption of IFRS 15 as positive

The new accounting policy will help in appropriately reflecting the companies’ financial performance and increase transparency, a new report says

Dubai mall firm Majid Al Futtaim H1 revenue rises 7%

The privately-owned firm said in a statement revenue for the six months to June 30 was Dhs 13.7bn

Dubai’s Damac Properties Q2 profit surges

The developer reported a net profit of Dhs 1.42bn ($386.6m) for the three months to June 30

Saudi July non-oil business growth recovers from record low – PMI

The seasonally adjusted Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index climbed to 57.7 points last month from 56.1 in June

UAE July non-oil business growth rebounds from 22-month low

The seasonally adjusted Emirates NBD UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 55.8 points last month from 54.7 in June

Emirates Reit to develop new Dhs 208.3m school in Akoya development

The real estate investment trust fund will build the facility and lease it to Jebel Ali School

Saudi central bank curbs credit card cash withdrawals -source

Previously, customers could obtain cash advances equivalent to as much as 50 per cent of their monthly credit card spending limits