HSBC Bank Oman agrees to sell Pakistan business to Meezan Bank

The deal is expected to be completed during the second half of 2015, the bank said in a statement

French group to invest at least $150m in Saudi’s Kingdom Holding

Aeroports de Paris, insurer AXA and construction group Eiffage are among the companies in the consortium led by France’s Caisse des Depots (CDC).

France, Saudi Arabia seeking to sign deals worth $12bn

The countries set up a joint committee in May to finalise some 20 projects across sectors ranging from defence to transport infrastructure

Al Masah Capital’s F&B unit buys Johnny Rockets franchisee

The private equity firm acquired Al Faris Restaurant, which operates the Johnny Rockets franchise in the UAE and Oman.

UAE bank NBF expects market-leading loan growth this year

The bank is expecting to see a double-digit growth in loans this year, the CEO said.

Oman central bank approves Ominvest, ONIC Holding merger

The assent was granted at a board of governors’ meeting on Monday, a statement said.

ABN Amro says Dubai employee dismissed for misconduct

The bank said the employee had received about $100,000 from a client and transferred it through his personal account to a third account

UAE’s Etisalat says will allow foreign share ownership

The telecoms firm is lifting a ban on foreign ownership of its shares, with a new cap set at 20 per cent of its stock

Abu Dhabi’s crown prince is new chairman of investment fund ADIC

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan replaces President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan at the head of the fund

Kuwait’s Investment Dar loses appeal against lifting of legal protection

The company is seeking to agree a $2.69bn debt restructuring plan with investors

Dubai records highest inflation rate since 2009 in May

Housing and utility costs, which made up 44 per cent of all expenses, rose 7.8 per cent year-on-year

Oman, Japan ink deal to promote joint investments

The deal is expected to increase Japanese investments in Oman

Saudis say to jointly invest up to $10bn with Russian fund

No details have been disclosed as yet about where or when the joint investments would be made

UAE, US sign tax agreement

As per the law, all financial institutions in the UAE are now required to disclose information about financial accounts held by US citizens

France’s Natixis to make Dubai capital markets hub for Mideast, Africa

In the past two years, Natixis has increased staffing levels in Dubai by around 50 per cent to 45 people

UAE launches new state bank to push housing, job creation policies

Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Development Bank has been created by the merger of Emirates Industrial Bank and Emirates Real Estate Bank

Dubai among world’s top 25 most expensive cities

Dubai and Abu Dhabi were also ranked most expensive cities for expats in the Middle East, according to a new survey

Private wealth in the UAE to grow by 10.7% in five years

Private wealth in the UAE is estimated to reach $1 trillion by 2019, boosted by buoyant equity markets and a growing economy, a new study shows.

UAE’s Gulf Finance Corp to raise up to Dhs 600m syndicated loan

Gulf Finance, part of Dubai’s Shuaa Capital, provides finance to small and mid-sized firms in the UAE.

Qatar’s secretive sovereign fund to restructure, say sources

The restructuring comes as the drop in oil prices crimped available funds as competition for assets grows

Saudi bourse CEO sees flurry of foreign investor licenses soon

Saudi’s market regulator has said foreign institutions can buy stocks directly from June 15, but it has not so far announced the award of any licences

Saudi opening may be non-event with no licences awarded yet

Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has indicated it does not want or expect large, sudden fund inflows

Abu Dhabi’s new financial freezone starts accepting licence applications

Abu Dhabi Global Market is preparing for its launch in the second half of 2015

Saudi Arabia to reconsider applying Nitaqat system in select sectors

The government said that it will rethink quotas in some sectors which failed to attract citizens due to the nature of work involved

Different Arab money

Sovereign wealth funds turn to internal fund management

Sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East have the highest return expectations of sovereign funds globally

Buyout firm Arcapita sells $640m US real estate portfolio

The portfolio includes 16 facilities and 4,000 residential units for continuing senior care, the company said in a statement.

DIFC announces 10-year plan, says will triple in size by 2024

The financial free zone hopes that Dubai’s financial sector will raise its GDP contribution to 18 per cent over the next 10 years

GCC countries need to slash public spending – World Bank

Budgets have been buckling under the pressure of bloated public sectors and lavish welfare spending since oil prices dropped last year.

Dubai’s non-oil business growth picks up but still weak

Construction was the best performing sector in terms of output and employment growth in May, a new survey shows

Qatar cuts 2015 GDP growth forecast, sees deficit in 2016

Oil prices remain a key risk to the outlook, which is based on average prices of $56.0 and $61.6 per barrel in 2015 and 2016 respectively