Falling Oil Prices Will Not Affect UAE Banks’ Growth- ENBD CEO

Banks in the UAE are much stronger than they were during the financial crash of 2008, the chief executive of Dubai’s largest lender said.

Majority Of GCC Workers To Change Jobs Over Low Pay Rises In 2015

The majority of employees expect a pay rise of five per cent while only a fraction of employers are set to award that level of increase this year.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Working With Two Advisers On Capital Plans

The lender said last month that it was mulling options for raising up to $300 million of capital at the earliest opportunity.

Japan To Provide $15.5m In Middle East-Africa Counter-Terrorism Aid

ISIL said they would target Japanese citizens after the Asian country pledged $200 million in humanitarian aid to countries fighting the group.

UAE, Saudi Arabia Control 74% Of GCC’s Private Wealth

Almost 44 per cent of the GCC’s private wealth is focused in Saudi Arabia, while the UAE controls around 30 per cent, a new study shows.

UAE Banks’ Profit Growth To Dip On Weaker Economy, Asset Quality -S&P

Sector-wide profit growth this year is expected to drop to five or six per cent from 22 per cent in 2014.

Orascom Construction To List On Nasdaq Dubai, Egyptian Exchange

The listing followed a demerger of OCI NV’s engineering and construction business from its fertilizer and chemicals business.

Different Arab money

Gulf States Continue Dialogue On Value-Added Tax – UAE Official

The GCC states have been mulling the introduction of VAT since 2007 to broaden their revenue base.

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital Appoints New Chairman

The company appointed Abdul Rahman Jareb Rashed Al Hareb as the new chairman, replacing Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum.

UAE’s Commercial Bank International Names Robinson As CEO

He replaces Kris Babicci, who stepped down from the post in October.

Dubai’s National Petroleum Services Signs $200m Financing

NPS secured the refinancing deal from a group of banks and financial institutions.

Dubai World Has 100% Creditor Assent For $14.6bn Debt Deal -Court

The adjournment will allow time for all creditors to sign an agreement which formally pledges each will assent to the plan put forward by Dubai World.

Dubai’s Drake & Scull Q4 Profit Falls 70%

The contractor made a profit of Dhs13 million ($3.54 million) in the last quarter of 2014.

Air Arabia Blames Fuel Hedging As Q4 Profit Falls 30%

The carrier made a net profit of Dhs64.6 million ($17.59 million) in the last quarter of 2014.

POSCO To Sell Stake In Construction Unit To Saudi Fund

POSCO signed the deal to sell a 38 per cent stake plus new shares of POSCO Engineering & Construction to Saudi’s PIF.

Dubai’s Meraas Eyes $234m Loan For Ferris Wheel Scheme – Sources

The loan is being arranged by Emirates NBD and will have a 10-year term and an amortising structure, sources said.

Dubai Parks & Resorts Projects Revenues Worth Dhs2.4bn In First Year

The company said that its revenues will mainly originate through ticketing, hotels and retail segments in the project.

Qatar’s Ooredoo Seeks $500m Islamic Loan-Bankers

The company has asked lenders to provide pricing guidance for a one, three or five-year loan.

Stock News: Gulf Bourses Pull Back After Oil Tumbles

Brent oil is back around $55 per barrel after a loss of as much as three per cent on Wednesday.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Proposes 20% Capital Hike To Support Growth

It plans to increase its capital to SAR5.72 billion from SAR4.76 billion by issuing one bonus share for every five held.

IMF Says Egypt’s Reforms Starting To Spur Turnaround In Economy

The IMF projected growth to reach 3.8 per cent in 2014/15 and to rise to five per cent over the medium term.

Dubai’s ENBD Raises A$450m Via Longest Kangaroo Bond From Middle East

ENBD raised A$400 million from its last kangaroo bond issue in April last year.

Qatar National Bank To Pay 60bps Margin For $3bn Loan

The deal is QNB’s biggest syndicated loan to date and proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

Kuwait Finance House Rejects Investment Dar’s Debt-For-Assets Plan

KFH said it would take all legal measures available against Investment Dar to try to collect the debt it was owed.

Oman’s United Finance To Consider Merger Approach From Bank Nizwa

United Finance describes itself as Oman’s largest non-bank financial institution.

Shuaa Capital Unit Eyes Saudi Leasing Market With New Licence

The licence will allow the firm to fund small businesses and help finance cross-border deals between Saudi and the UAE.

Saudi Central Bank Predicts Stable Inflation In Q1

The annual Saudi inflation rate was 2.4 per cent in December, the lowest level since at least September 2012.

Dubai Holding Has No Plans To Float Firm Or Its Units -CEO

Dubai Holding also has no plans to raise cash at the parent level as it seeks to reduce its debts, its chief executive said.

Julphar Buys Majority Stake In Bangladesh-Based RAK Pharmaceuticals

The deal, worth $9.5 million, marks Julphar’s entry into Bangladesh and is part of its expansion in Asia.

Orders Over A$175m For 7-Year Emirates NBD Kangaroo Bond

The Dubai-based bank is marketing the Australian dollar- denominated seven-year notes to yield about 225 basis points above the swap rate, a document from leads showed.