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.

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.