India’s New Budget Targets Growth, Jobs

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also raised limits on foreign investment in defence and insurance ventures to 49 per cent from 26 per cent.

Qatar Slashes Stake In London Stock Exchange Group

Qatar Holding is set to slash its 15 per cent stake in the owner of the London Stock Exchange by a third.

Dubai’s Gulf Navigation Cuts Capital, Eyes New Expansion

Dubai’s only listed crude oil shipper said it had written off accumulated losses worth Dhs1.1 billion.

Banque Saudi Fransi Hikes First-Half Dividend

The proposed figure is above the SAR0.3 per share which the bank paid for the corresponding period of 2013.

Nakheel’s First Half Net Profit Up 54% To Dhs1.85bn

Strong revenue from property development along with improving performance in Nakheel’s retail, leasing and leisure businesses contributed to these results, the company said.

Dubai Holding Chief Says Company Needs $6.8bn To Build New Mega-Mall

Dubai recently announced plans to build the “Mall of the World”, including the world’s largest mall, a theme park and 100 hotels and serviced apartments.

Dubai’s DGCX Considering Spot Silver Contract

The spot silver contract will follow the launch of the first spot gold contract by the DMCC.

Sharjah Plans Debut Sukuk -Bankers

The sovereign is rumoured to have appointed banks to manage the transaction and could launch the deal as early as September, the bankers said.

Qatar National Bank Q2 Net Profit Edges Up, Beats Estimates

The bank made a net profit of QAR2.7 billion ($741.7 million) in the second quarter of 2014.

IFC To Inject Up to $100m In Saudi’s ACWA Power For Renewable Energy

The investment will focus on expanding the amount of power generated in the Middle East and North Africa through green methods.

Dubai’s Limitless Receives Approval For Vietnam Project

The certificate allows Limitless to legally move forward with the Halong Star project in Vietnam.

Kuwait’s CBK Gets Approval To Raise Up To KD120m Via Bonds

Commercial Bank of Kuwait is in the process of being converted into a full-fledged Islamic bank.

Stock News: Saudi Arabia Positive, Dubai May Consolidate

The main index in Saudi Arabia rose 0.4 per cent on Monday and closed at 9,790 points.

Dubai’s DMCC Considers New Agricultural Contracts, Delays Spot Gold

The delay in launching the spot contract was due to not being able to link all the participants, DMCC chief said.

UAE Regulator Says To Tighten Stock Market Supervision After Arabtec

The SCA said it would also set up a technical committee with the central bank and the exchanges to prevent any manipulation of stock prices.

Different Arab money

Jeddah-Based IDB’s New Infrastructure Fund Aims To Help GCC Firms Expand

The fund launched by the Islamic Development Bank has $750 million in commitments from Saudi, Bahrain and Brunei.

Saudi Retailer Jarir Marketing Q2 Net Profit Rises 7.1%

The company said the increase was due higher sales in all segments apart from computers.

Dubai’s CBD Arranges Dhs200m For Movenpick Hotel Acquisition

The financing was arranged for BMJBR Properties Limited, a company owned by the private equity arm of Bank Muscat, the lender said in a statement.

Dubai’s Finances Stronger But Still Vulnerable, IMF Says

Dubai’s government debt is expected under a baseline scenario to fall gradually to 41.6 per cent of gross domestic product in 2019 from 60.2 per cent in 2013, the IMF said.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Q2 Net Profit Jumps 28.1% On Higher Income

The lender cited higher operating income – which increased 17 per cent year-on-year – for the increase in net profit.

Saudi’s Emaar EC Says Port Unit Agrees Capital Hike To Fund Expansion

The port, which began operating on Jan. 6, currently has an annual capacity of 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units.

Stock News: Property, Banks Lift UAE Markets

Dubai’s main index climbed 2.4 per cent as shares in Arabtec jumped 5.4 per cent in early trade.

Saudi Arabia’s Almarai Q2 Net Profit Rises 8.8%

The company said rising costs had crimped its half-year profit due to a rising wage bill associated with localisation efforts.

Iraq Oil Shock To Lift Safe-Haven Currencies Before Those Of Crude Exporters

Any setback to the government in Southern Iraq could lead to greater demand for the more liquid currencies like the yen, the dollar and the Swiss franc.

Islamic Banks Rebrand In An Attempt To Go Mainstream

Aiming for growth in new territories and demographic groups, Islamic banks look to drop the “Islamic” from their moniker.

Dubai World Repays $300m Early To Creditors – Sources

The payment came from the proceeds of asset sales completed by the firm and follows an initial sum of $284.5 million returned in March to creditors.

Bahraini Bank ABC To Raise $500m Loan, Picks Arrangers

The facility will pay an interest rate of 120 basis points above the London interbank offered rate (Libor).

Saudi Non-Oil Business Activity Accelerates In June – PMI

The seasonally adjusted SABB HSBC Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers Index increased to 59.2 points last month from 57.0 points in May.

Dubai’s Shelf Drilling Cancels London IPO

The company said that it cancelled the IPO due to challenging public market conditions.

Turkey’s Bank Asya, Qatar’s QIB End Talks Over Asya Stake Sale

The talks with QIB faltered after the banks failed to agree a price, the sources said.