Dubai Bourse Drops Most Since 2009 Debt Crisis

The Syrian chemical weapons crisis has sparked fear among Dubai investors.

Abu Dhabi Appoints Board For New Financial Free Zone

The zone is seen as a challenge to neighbouring city state Dubai, which is the top financial centre in the region.

UAE, Qatar’s MSCI Upgrade Makes A Hit

As regional confidence improves, Standard & Poor’s is looking to increase its presence in the region.

Saudi British Bank Plans Sukuk Sale

HSBC is advising SABB on the potential riyal-denominated sukuk issue to boost its Tier 2 capital position.

HSBC Launches Chinese Currency Investment Options

China’s Renminibi is touted to be a top trading currency along with the Euro and US dollar.

Nakheel Repays Dhs197m To Lenders

The Dubai-based developer has $2.2 billion debt maturing in 2015.

HSBC Names New Head Of Debt Capital Markets MENA

The lender also named a new chief executive of the Middle East and North Africa.

Dubai’s DFSA, EU Regulators Tie Up To Hike Investment Flows

The regulators will supervise fund managers operating between the Dubai International Financial Centre and Europe.

Dubai Islamic Bank To Offer 100% Mortgages

The UAE lender seems to be ignoring impending regulations by the Central Bank to cap mortgages at 80 and 75 per cent.

In Search Of New India

New India, long buried since the crash, may see 2013 as its resurgent year. Can India overcome corruption and political hurdles to embrace greater global liquidity and a pick up in investor sentiment?

Oman Development Bank Considers Islamic Window

Oman became the last country in the GCC to adopt Islamic finance in December 2012.

UAE’s Bank Of Sharjah Signs $200m Loan Refinancing

The proceeds will be used by the lender for general business purposes.

Top Dubai Banker Leaves Lazard To Start Boutique

Ali Asghar’s departure effectively means Lazard has no senior bankers in Dubai.

Sembcorp Joint Venture To Launch Oman IPO On Aug 28

The $1 billion power plant will offer 33.4 million existing ordinary shares at a price of OMR1.59 per share.

Exclusive: LinkedIn Reduces Minimum Age To 13 In UAE

Following the launch of a new ‘University pages’ feature, LinkedIn aims to target high school students.

It’s Official: Money Does Make You Happy

A survey finds it takes more money to be considered wealthy in the UAE than it does in the United States or the UK.

UAE Credit Card Cold Calls On Rise Again

As consumer lending perks up in the UAE, unsolicited calls from various banks pushing credit have reached pre-crisis levels.

Qatar Government Spending Growth Slows Sharply In 2012/13

Total state spending stood at QAR178.2 billion, slightly below the initial plan of QAR178.6 billion for the fiscal year ended in March.

32% Of UAE Firms ‘Definitely Hiring’ In Next 3 Months

The Bayt.com index survey found that 30 per cent of MENA companies are hiring in the next three months.

UAE Ranks Third Most Popular Hub For British Expats

Tumbling bonuses in the west and improved employment prospects in the UAE are attracting British expats to the country.

GCC Insurance Industry To Reach $40bn By 2017

The industry is growing because of increased business activity in the region.

Bahrain’s Investcorp Sells Skrill Group For $800m

Skrill, an online payment system in Europe, was sold to funds advised by CVC Capital Partners.

Dubai’s Union Properties Shares Jump 11% On Trading

Emirates NBD, a majority stake-holder in UP, sold down its stake from around 48 per cent to around 31.4 per cent in the first half of this year.

Political Turmoil Lowers M&A Deals Outlook In ME

Political unrest and sectarian conflicts in countries like Egypt and Syria have deterred potential investments in the region.

India’s Attempt To Curtail Gold Imports Faces Backlash

Bullion imports are plunging as an increase in tax on financing shipments boosts costs for jewellers. But can the move really save the country’s economy?

Arabtec Reports 114% H1 Profit Rise

The contractor revealed second quarter net profit of Dhs92.4 million, up from a loss of Dhs11.6 million on the same period in 2012.

Qatar Central Bank Sends Draft On Basel III

Banks in Qatar have been waiting for the central bank’s guidance on how debt instruments will be treated under the new Basel standards.

Eurozone Out Of Recession – ME Still Stronger

The announcement papers over the economic cracks still seen on a country-by-country basis as Spain saw its economic output fall 0.1 per cent.

Dubai’s Gold And Currency Exchange Growth Up 55%

The surge in currency volumes trade was driven mainly by Indian Rupee futures and trading in other currencies such as the Euro and Yen.

Barclays Reviewing UAE Retail Business For Potential Sale

The bank’s corporate banking, private banking and investment banking activities in the UAE are not part of the review.