Oman’s Bank Muscat Plans $1.3bn Islamic Bond Programme

The bank will seek shareholder approval for its sukuk programme at a meeting on March 19 and regulatory approval thereafter, local media reported.

Oil Jumps Over $2 As Ukraine Mobilises For War

Continued tensions in Ukraine have caused energy prices to rise and financial markets to decline.

Bahrain Eyes External Sharia Audits For Islamic Banks

Regulators around the world are increasing their scrutiny of Islamic finance, including the boards of sharia scholars who rule on whether activities follow religious principles.

Over One-Third Of Middle East Firms Are Corrupt

Local firms are losing billions of dollars through negligence.

Dubai’s Economic Zones World Launches Two Halal Zones

The Halal zones will be situated in Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) and Technopark.

Oman’s Ominvest Won’t Proceed With Oman Arab Bank IPO

Omnivest had previously said that it was looking into the feasibility of the transaction.

Saudi Electricity Proposes 2013 Cash Dividend Of $0.19 Per Share

In January, the monopoly said its annual profit for 2013 rose 19 per cent to 3.04 billion riyals from a year earlier.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi Firms To Hike Housing Allowances In 2014

Around 22 per cent of Abu Dhabi employees and 33 per cent of Dubai employees will see a rise in housing allowances this year.

UAE’s ADCB Picks Banks For 5-Yr Benchmark Bond

ADCB has chosen Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, Barclays, ING and JP Morgan Chase to arrange the transaction.

Saudi Central Bank Expects Further Drop Of Inflation In Q1

Consumer price growth in the world’s top oil exporter has been easing gradually since hitting a peak of 4.0 per cent in April 2013.

Commercial Bank Of Qatar Signs Upsized $1bn Dual-Tranche Loan

Lenders joining the facility came from the Gulf, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Different Arab money

Saudi Kingdom Holding To Pay $0.03 Per Share Dividend For Q4

The company posted a 10.3 per cent rise in fourth-quarter profit in January, mainly due to a rise in the value of its investments.

Qatar’s Al Khaliji Lifts Foreign Ownership Cap To 49%, No Bonds In 2014

Only 16.18 per cent of the firm is currently held by non-Qatari investors, according to bourse data.

Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House Doubles Q4 Profit On Investment Revenue

The investment firm made a net profit of $5.2 million in the three months to December 31.

Bahraini Islamic Bank Al Baraka Q4 Net Income Climbs 23%

The Islamic lender recorded a net attributable profit of $32 million in the three months to December 31, 2013.

Kuwait’s Burgan Bank Q4 Net Profit Slumps

The lender made a net profit of $8.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Nakheel Confirms Repayment Of Dhs2.35bn Bank Debt

The Dubai developer announced earlier this year that it would repay Dhs4 billion of its bank debt in 2014, ahead of maturity in September 2015.

UAE Has No Plans To Tax Individuals – Finance Minister

The country is mulling the imposition of tax on companies, Sheikh Hamdan cofirmed.

France’s AXA To Take Major Stake In UAE’s Green Crescent Insurance

The sizes of the stake and details of the nature of the alliance have not been disclosed.

Blackrock Says Cut Exposure To UAE Stocks On Signs Of Excess

The fund’s largest equity investments include Emaar Properties and London-listed UAE firm NMC Health.

Gulf Islamic Banks’ Extra Product Costs Shrinking, Study Finds

The cost gap for Gulf banks rated by S&P seems to be narrowing to as little as 30 basis points in the first half of 2013 from a high of 110 bps in 2009.

Private Equity And SWF Investments Rising In MENA

The region witnessed a strong rise in deal value and volume, aided by rising business confidence and improved liquidity.

London’s Lord Mayor Concerned Over Lack Of Women In Top Jobs In The GCC

Ambassador for the UK’s financial sector wants to see more women at senior management and board level.

Saudi Arabia, Malaysia Exchanges To Boost Islamic Finance Ties

An agreement will see the exchanges share expertise and develop human capital.

Mashreq, Visa Launch 2014 FIFA World Cup Branded Cards

The branded credit and debit cards will introduce a new rewards programme for users.

StanChart Singapore Head To Join Bahrain-Based Arab Banking Corp

Ray Ferguson joins the ABC Group after working with Standard Chartered for 28 years.

Dubai’s Inflation Rate Edges Up In January

Dubai’s inflation rate rose month-on-month by 0.49 per cent in January, driven by housing and utility costs.

UAE Firm Eyeing ‘Big’ IPO On Nasdaq Dubai In 2014

The new listing could revive the struggling platform, says senior lawyer.

Dubai Agrees Roll-Over Of $10bn Crisis Debt To UAE – Sources

The emirate borrowed the money five years ago and the debt is due to mature next month.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Q4 Net Profit Up 75%, Helped By Pay-TV Asset

Net profit in the three months to the end of December was 14 million Kuwaiti dinars ($49.7 million).