Lack Of Governance Affects Islamic Finance Growth In ME

Experts said that the Islamic finance industry is estimated to grow rapidly and more than double in the next four years.

UAE Start-up Careem Receives $1.7m Funding

The transportation technology company received the investment in a round led by STC Ventures.

Bahrain’s Al Salam Bank Agrees Share-Swap Merger With BMI Bank

Islamic lender Al Salam will exchange 11 of its shares for each BMI Bank share.

United Arab Bank Signs Three-Year FC Barcelona Deal

The bank will serve as the club’s official partner in the UAE and plans create a range of Barca-themed products for local fans.

No Date Yet On Saudi Bourse Opening Up To Foreign Investors

Officials are still discussing the issue, says head of the Capital Market Authority

Qatar Central Bank To Issue $1.1bn In Local Currency Bonds, Sukuk

The debt, to be issued next week, will include three-year and five-year tranches.

Dubai’s Arabtec CEO Boosts Personal Stake Above 8%

Hasan Abdullah Ismaik’s stake in the construction company is worth about $159 million based on Wednesday’s closing share price.

Dubai Duty Free Names Banks To Arrange $750m Expansion Loan

The facility will be arranged by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD and Standard Chartered.

Egypt Says Ready To Repay $2bn Qatari Loan In Days If Necessary

The funds were supposed to be converted into three-year bonds.

Dubai’s Stock Market Touches 8-Week Low On Syria Fears

The index fell 3.7 per cent to close at 2,397 points, its lowest finish since July 11.

Barclays Decides To Sell UAE Retail Bank After Review

The potential sale may impact up to 280 employees, a source said.

Ex-Merrill Lynch Banker Sets Up Boutique Consultancy In Dubai

Ziad Awad, a veteran investment banker with nearly 20 years of experience, is setting up Boardroom Metrics Arabia.

Dubai Shares Fall On Syria Ballistic Object Report

The index, which fell as much as 5.2 per cent is now down 2.6 per cent.

UAE’s Built Assets Worth $1 Trillion

The average built asset wealth per person across Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE is $112,842, the study found.

Franklin Templeton Launches New GCC Bond Fund

The new fund will provide investors access to the GCC’s growing bond market.

Qatar Bolstering SWF Team To Diversify Portfolio

The $100 billion-plus sovereign fund is scouting for opportunities in Asia and the United States.

Bahrain Sovereign Fund Mumtalakat Signs $250m Loan Refinancing

The new credit facility covers about half of a $500 million five-year loan which the fund had signed in August 2008.

Dubai To Sell Fontainebleau Hotel In Miami To Turnberry

Dubai World paid $375 million for a 50 per cent stake in Fontainebleau Miami Beach in 2008.

1,000 New Jobs Created In Dubai’s DIFC In H1 2013

Dubai International Financial Centre currently has 979 registered companies with a total workforce of 15,000.

RAKBANK Confirms Ex-CIMB Executive As New CEO

Peter England, previously a senior banker at Malaysia’s CIMB Group, will replace Graham Honeybill.

MasterCard Targets ME Luxury Consumers Through New Campaign

The ‘Priceless Arabia’ programme offers MasterCard holders special offers on luxurious products and services across the MENA region.

Saudi’s Alkhabeer Capital Acquires US Property

The investment fund, in partnership with USAA Real Estate Company, bought an office building in Houston.

Real Estate Shares Lead Dubai Bourse Rebound

Dubai’s index lost 5.4 per cent last week over worries of a U.S. military strike in Syria.

Bahrain’s Ithmaar Bank Says CEO To Retire On Aug 31

He will be replaced by Ahmed Abdul Rahim, currently general manager, as acting head.

UAE To Be Insulated From Rupee Slide Effects

Despite a surge in capital outflow, the rupee slide will not significantly damage the UAE economy.

Wooing The Wealthy – StanChart’s Head Of Private Banking, EMEASA

Stephen Evans, SCB’s head of private banking for Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Asia, reveals why Dubai is set to become a global private banking hub.

Gulf Markets Rebound As Margin Selling Eases

Dubai’s index was down as much as 7.5 per cent in the morning on concerns of a possible escalation of Syria’s civil war.

MENASA Region Has $10tn Untapped Business Potential

The Middle East has around 62 per cent of investment opportunities in the region, Frost & Sullivan whitepaper estimates.

Dubai Stock Market Plummets 6% In 15 Minutes

The DFM crashes for a second day in a row as a U.S. strike on Syria looks more likely.

Dubai Court Dismisses Kuwaiti Sheikh’s $21m Claim Against UBS

The Sheikh claimed he helped the bank become lead arranger on a $9 billion asset sale by Kuwaiti telecom operator Zain.