Saudi regulator accepting applications from credit rating agencies

Agencies which apply before the end of August will be allowed to operate until they receive a licence

Marka signs Dhs 31m franchise deal for ice cream brand Morelli’s Gelato

Post the deal, Marka plans to open 17 Morelli’s outlets in the MENA region by 2020

UAE Central Bank issues braille currency notes for Dhs 500, Dhs 5

The new tactile features will be engraved in bleed-off intaglio printing on the edge of the banknotes’ short sides

UAE collects labour fines worth Dhs 37.5m during grace period

The ministry said that 27,962 companies have resettled fines relating to 58,365 workers registered under their sponsorships

Abraaj Group buys majority stake in Nigerian mattress maker Mouka

The founding family of Mouka who will retain a minority stake in the company, a statement said

UAE cabinet approves draft law on bankruptcy

The draft law reportedly presents “flexible strategies” to bailout businesses that are facing bankruptcy

Stock news: Oil plunge may depress Gulf; Emaar Misr key for Egypt

Brent crude dived more than 6 per cent on Monday into the $56 a barrel level

UAE bank ADIB targets 2016 acquisitions, eyes Asia, Middle East

The bank is looking for opportunities in Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as Algeria, Jordan and Morocco, its CEO said

Abraaj Capital sells 13.6% stake in Africa’s UAP Holdings

Abraaj sold its stake in the African insurance firm to London-based banking group Mutual plc

Stock news: Gulf markets fall on oil, Greece

Brent crude dropped below $60 a barrel to its lowest since mid-April after Greeks voted ‘No’ in their bailout referendum

Bahrain passes 2015-16 budget after parliament forces changes

The budget was passed after a six-month delay during which parliament forced changes to the plan

Wamda Capital launches $75m MENA growth stage venture fund

The fund has invested in three companies including News Group International, Jamalon and LittleBits Electronics

Gulf markets steady as investors await Greek referendum

Oil prices also subdued stock markets after Brent crude slid $1.75 to $60.32 a barrel on Friday

DIFC starts work on $205m building in Gate Village

The new building will have a total built-up area of 200,000 square feet and will comprise of retail and F&B units along with office space

UAE to finish drafting corporate tax, VAT laws this quarter

Authorities are still evaluating the social and economic impact of the laws, but drafting was expected to be finished “very soon, an official said

Saudi economy accelerates in Q1, may not be sustained

Gross domestic product, adjusted for inflation, grew 2.4 per cent from a year earlier in the first quarter

Dubai’s Drake & Scull increases GCC ownership limit to 100%

Nationals from the UAE currently hold 51.02 per cent of the company’s stock, with the remaining GCC nations owning 5.85 per cent

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA says not holding merger talks

The company “confirms that it is not engaged in merger discussions with any government or other entity”, it said in a statement to the bourse

Kuwait parliament approves budget with $27bn deficit

The budget for the year features spending of KD19.17bn and revenues of KD12.2bn, assuming an average oil price of $45 a barrel

Oman central bank sets up Islamic banking department

The creation of a separate Islamic banking department will clear the way to develop the industry in the country

Saudi’s Alwaleed to give $32bn to charity in coming years

Prince Alwaleed said some of the donated wealth will include his personal stake in his investment firm Kingdom Holding

Top 10 countries with best residence-by-investment schemes

The UAE ranked 15th in an index rating countries’ residency-in-return-for-investment programmes

Saudi central bank May net foreign reserves drop 1% to $672bn

Assets dropped by 8.1 per cent from a year earlier to their lowest level since April 2013, central bank data showed

Abu Dhabi finance zone gears up to open with draft rules

The drafts will be available for public comment over a six-week period, and the zone plans to accept its first applications for financial service operating licences by the end of this year

Saudi regulator maintains Mobily shares halt until restated financials disclosed

Mobily shares have been suspended since June, when the market regulator halted trading until the operator disclosed the financial impact of an investigation into its accounts.

Mubadala buys into Trafigura’s Spanish mines as part of new venture

For Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, the purchase is part of a push to invest in assets other than oil.

Dubai’s Limitless to pay $564m to creditors, nears debt plan assent

The cash payment will be funded by the sale of part of its land bank in Saudi Arabia, the company said

Stock news: Gulf markets fall on Greece turmoil

Dubai’s stock index slid 1.3 per cent, heading for a second straight daily close below its 200-day average

Dubai Holding appoints new managing director, CEO

The current CEO Ahmad Bin Byat has been promoted to vice-chairman and managing director while COO Fadel Al Ali will take over as CEO

Saudi’s Almarai gets final $210.6m bakery fire compensation

The Saudi Arabian company had already received SAR 250m from Arabian Shield Cooperative Insurance Co in late March