Qatar’s Emir Says All Listed Firms To Up Foreign Ownership Limit To 49%

Foreign ownership is usually limited to 25 per cent in publicly listed firms.

Ex-Leeds Official Accused Of $6.45m Embezzlement In Dubai

Dubai-based GFH Capital, where David Haigh was previously the deputy CEO, said his arrest was not related to the Leeds sale.

Etisalat Given $500m By Abu Dhabi For Maroc Telecom Deal

Etisalat is 60 per cent owned by the United Arab Emirates.

MENA M&A Deals Down, But Companies Positive About Volume Growth – Report

Acquisitions are expected to make up a smaller portion of revenue growth value for the current fiscal year, but companies are upbeat about M&A volume growth, according to EY.

Saudi’s Ma’aden Appoints HSBC As Advisor For SAR5.6bn Rights Issue

Ma’aden had earlier this month said it was seeking shareholder approval for a capital increase.

Abraaj Buys Stake In Thai Education Firm Amid Political Turmoil

Abraaj said it had bought a stake in out-of-school education provider KPN Academy, without disclosing the purchase price.

Bahrain Plans IPO For Khalifa Bin Salman Port Operator

The listing aims to fulfill a contractual agreement made when the port opened in 2009.

Saudi’s CPC Acquires Egypt’s Sphinx Glass For $190m

The Jeddah headquartered company aims to increase Sphinx’s revenues to $63.2 million this year from $55 million in 2013.

Stock News: Emaar Unit Listing Plan Lifts Dubai

Emaar said on Monday it would list up to 25 per cent of its malls business on the Dubai Financial Market.

Emaar To Sell 25% Of Malls Business On Dubai Bourse

The firm said it had received regulatory approval for the listing, which will take place on Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

Stock News: Qatar Rallies Ahead Of MSCI Upgrade

Doha’s index has risen 26.5 per cent so far this year.

UAE Businessman BR Shetty Buys Forex Firm Travelex

Dr. Shetty is the owner of money transfer service UAE Exchange, which has over six million customers in 30 countries.

Qatar Fund Commits $2bn Investment To Russia

The amount will be allocated via joint investments with state-backed private equity fund the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

UAE Banks Tap Australian Debt Opportunities

National Bank of Abu Dhabi, First Gulf Bank, Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank have issued kangaroo bonds this year.

Saudi’s Dar Al Arkan Raises $400m From Sukuk Issue

The developer attracted a final order book of more than $1 billion for its five year sukuk.

Qatar’s Doha Bank Plans Capital Raising In 2015

Doha Bank’s asset expansion was more than 20 per cent last year and will continue to grow, its CEO said.

National Bank Of Abu Dhabi Granted Indian Licence – Report

An Indian lender will be granted a UAE licence in return, according to reports.

Dubai Index In Biggest Gain In 8 Months, Property Leads Rebound

The measure is now up 43.9 per cent this year and has tripled since the start of 2013.

Qatar’s CBQ, Doha Bank May Raise New Capital In 2015

The lenders may need to increase their capital next year by $412 million each to abide by expected central bank regulations.

Saudi Telecom Sets Up $1.33bn Sukuk Programme

The operator did not say when it would issue the sukuk.

Oman Central Bank Says Stress Tests Find Banking System Resilient To Shocks

If all the applied stressed scenarios materialise, the banking system will need $201.3 million to recapitalise five deficient banks.

Global Islamic Banking Assets To Exceed $3.4 Trillion by 2018

Combined profits of Islamic banks broke the $10 billion mark for the first time at the end of 2013

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Gets Regulator Nod for Barclays UAE Buy

The lender received approval from the UAE central bank 10 days ago, confirms CEO.

Kuwait’s Global Swings To A Profit In Q1 As Fees Grow

The firm saw a rise in fees from its asset management, investment banking and brokerage businesses.

Saudi’s Dar Al Arkan Plans Benchmark Five-Year Dollar Sukuk

The developer said on Monday it would talk with international investors on Tuesday ahead of a potential sukuk.

Stock News: Dubai Extends Drop In Volatile Trade

Dubai’s index fell 5.5 per cent on Monday, its biggest drop in eight months.

Bahrain’s GFH Expects To Complete Capital Reduction This Quarter

GFH will reduce the nominal value of its shares by 13.8 per cent to $0.265 per share from $0.3075.

Dubai Stock Market Posts Biggest Drop In 8 Months

The decline trims its 2014 gains to 44.1 per cent as 18 stocks fell by more than five per cent.

Qatar To Help Deutsche Bank Raise $11bn In New Equity Capital

The capital measures will increase the bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 ratio and help the German lender expand its investment banking business.

IPO: Should Executive Rewards Be Aligned With Shareholder Interests

As a growing number of GCC firms eye public financing, Andrew Marshall, head of executive reward, Hay Group ME, explores the relationship between executive pay and company performance.