Bank of Khartoum To Open First Gulf Branch In Bahrain

Bank of Khartoum has applied for a branch licence and is hoping to finalise the process of obtaining it within weeks.

Ras al-Khaimah Eyes Sovereign Sukuk Issue – Sources

Any issue would be received well by investors as the emirate derives substantial support for being part of the UAE.

Saudi Shipper Bahri Plans SAR3.9bn, 10-Year Sukuk Issue

The facility will be used to repay debt and for general business purposes.

Saudi’s Alkhabeer Sets Sights On An IPO

The Jeddah-based firm held SAR2.49 billion ($664 million) in assets under management at the end of 2013.

Sedco Capital Prepares Feeder Fund Before Tadawul Opening

The Jfirm is strengthening its in-house asset management capabilities before the Saudi stock market opens up in the first half of 2015.

Dubai’s Aramex Proposes 14% Cash Dividend For 2014

Aramex made a 2014 net profit of Dhs318.4 million, the company said.

UAE Bank ADCB Tightens Pricing For Bond

The lender has earmarked to price its bond issue at 97.5 basis points over midswaps, a document showed.

Sharjah Islamic Bank To Meet Investors For Potential Sukuk

The bank has picked Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Hilal Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, HSBC, KFH Investment and Standard Chartered to arrange the sukuk sale.

UAE Non-Oil Business Growth Slows In February

The seasonally adjusted HSBC UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 58.1 points last month from 59.3 in January.

Abraaj Sets Up $200m North Africa Healthcare Group

Abraaj will be the main investor in the healthcare group with $145 million, while three other investors will pitch in about $55 million.

Kuwait’s Americana Q4 Net Profit Falls 28%

The company made a net profit of KD10.19 million ($34.38 million) in the last quarter of 2014.

Saudi Market Regulator Says Suspects Insider Trading In Mobily Shares

The firm slashed its profits for 2013 and the first half of 2014 by a combined $381 million, citing accounting errors.

UAE Firms See Global Fiscal Crises As Biggest Risk To Business- Survey

Falling oil prices and an imminent liquidity crisis are the other top risks that UAE executives fear might impact their local operations.

Egypt Got $23bn In Aid From Saudi, UAE And Kuwait In 18 Months

Investment Minister Ashraf Salman said the aid included oil shipments, cash grants and deposits in Egypt’s central bank.

Stock News: Egypt Rebounds, Saudi Arabia Flat

Saudi Arabia’s market lacked clear direction and was nearly flat as oil edged down towards $62 per barrel.

New IFRS 15 Rules Demand More Disclosure From UAE Firms

The accounting rules are expected to impact some companies on how and when they recognise revenues, global audit firm KPMG said.

UAE Lender NBAD Has No Capital-Boosting Bond Plans – CEO

A number of Gulf-based banks have issued, or are planning to issue, Tier 1 bonds or sukuk, including Dubai Islamic Bank and Doha Bank.

Central Bank Chief Says UAE Benefiting From Strong Dollar

Mubarak al-Mansouri also dispelled claims that the dollar peg might hurt the UAE’s export competitiveness.

Kuwait Sovereign Fund Says Cutting U.S. Investments, Raising Europe

Osama al-Ayoub said the fund was going overweight on Europe because of the European Central Bank’s decision in January to use quantitative easing.

Abu Dhabi’s NBAD Says Not Interested In Citi’s Egypt Assets

The bank’s CEO said that the lender is targeting organic growth in the country and globally.

Oman To Issue First Sovereign Sukuk By Mid-2015 – Central Bank Chief

The Islamic bond will help finance a budget deficit caused by the plunge of oil prices, Hamood Sangour al-Zadjali said.

Big Abu Dhabi Industrial Group Senaat Considers IPO For Unit

State-owned Senaat confirmed that it has shelved plans to go public.

Eiffel Management Buys Out DIB’s Stake In Emirates REIT

Following the deal, Eiffel Management will own 100 per cent of REIT manager’s total issued share capital.

Abu Dhabi’s Gulf Capital Sees 4-6 Acquisitions This Year

The official also said that the company did not have any plans for an IPO.

Sharjah Utility Raises $500m Loan For Expansion

The new five-year facility was structured and arranged by Kuwait Finance House and GIB Capital.

Saudi Aramco Senior VP Buainain Steps Down-Sources

Khalid al-Buainain took early retirement for personal reasons and his departure will take effect on Sunday.

Oman’s Stock Exchange Reports Technical Issue

It did not say when it expected to fix the problem, stating that efforts were in progress to rectify it as soon as possible.

Qatar’s Mannai Working On Two Foreign Acquisitions – CEO

The company is looking outside the Middle East for deals in areas excluding real estate, construction, fast-moving consumer goods and marine sectors.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Gets Shareholder Assent For Capital Plans

Should Bank Dhofar sell a Tier 1 bond, it would be the first such issue by an Omani bank.

Qatar Sovereign Fund To Buy Rest Of Prime Milan Property Area

As per the deal, Qatar Holding will buy the 60 per cent of Porta Nuova it does not already own for an undisclosed sum.