Dubai’s DFM Up 20% In 2012

The Dubai bourse was the GCC’s best performing stock market.

Emirates NBD Islamic Unit In Rights Issue

Dubai’s biggest bank will offer 1.5 billion shares at Dhs1 each between January 25 and February 3.

Dubai Announces Drive To Develop Islamic Business

The emirate plans to form a committee to work on six major initiatives under the project.

Oman Plans To Merge State Pension Funds

The Gulf state aims to merge eight state-run pension funds to improve efficiency.

Qatar To Lend Egypt $2.5bn Extra In Aid

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani has said $0.5 billion will be a grant while $2 billion a deposit.

Citigroup CEO Corbat Names New Executive Team

The bank’s new organisational chart shows 13 managers under Corbat.

Bahraini Islamic Banks Complete Rare Gulf Banking Merger

Capivest, Elaf Bank and Capital Management House have merged after more than a year of negotiations.

Nakheel Issues $33m Sukuk As Part Of Debt Deal

The proceeds will be used to settle trade creditor claims against the Dubai developer.

Bahrain’s Arcapita Sells Stake In London Care Facilities

The investment firm is currently in the midst of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process.

UAE Banks To Push For Delay Of New Mortgage Rules

A UAE central bank circular issued last week said mortgage loans for foreigners should not exceed 50 per cent of the property value.

Egypt Committed To IMF Talks – New Finance Minister

Egypt is holing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to get a $4.8 billion loan.

Bahrain’s Alba Gets Loans To Pay Off $169m Bond Maturing In 2013

Alba received a five-year $85 million loan from Bahrain’s Gulf International Bank and a three-year loan from a group of banks.

Dubai Islamic Bank To Fully Acquire Mortgage Firm Tamweel

The Dubai-based lender already owns a 58.2 per cent stake in Tamweel.

Banking Special: Kuwait Faces Long And Winding Recovery

Kuwait’s gridlocked political situation is stymying its banking sector.

Banking Special: Good Growth Prospects In Oman

Oman’s economy and its banking sector are performing well.

Wealthy Gulf Investors Begin To Eye Africa

Africa’s vast lands, fast economic growth and a sense of political stability are all attracting regional investors.

State Spending Could Spur Oman’s Tiny Bourse

Oman’s stock index rose 1.2 per cent last year and outperformed Qatar and Bahrain.

Bounced Cheques Remain Criminal Offence For UAE Expats

Officials clarify that the UAE rule of decriminalising bounced cheques only applies to UAE nationals.

Global Banks Rethink Middle East Model As Deals Slump

International banks are shrinking their regional businesses as deal activity dries up.

Banking Special: Assets And Profits Soar In Qatar

High oil and gas prices and a large-scale infrastructure programme buttressed Qatar’s banking sector in 2012.

Oman To Create 20,000 Govt Jobs This Year- Minister

The government spent $780 million to create 36,000 jobs for Omanis last year.

US Fiscal Cliff Avoided: President Obama Hails Deal

The Senate-backed deal was passed late on Tuesday in the House of Representatives.

Oman Boosts 2013 Spending To $33.5bn

Spending on education, health, housing and social welfare has been boosted by 22 per cent in this year’s budget.

Banking Special: Stable Times For The UAE

The UAE is well capitalised but banking asset quality remains a concern.

Expats Who Bounce Cheques No Longer Risk Prison In UAE

UAE courts have stopped sentencing debt defaulters to prison since last month, say reports.

US Senate Approves Deal To Avert Fiscal Cliff Crisis

The agreement is now pending a vote in the House of Representatives.

Dubai Approves New Budget; Spending Set At Dhs34.1bn

Government expenditure is up six per cent from 2012, while revenues are forecast to rise 7.8 per cent in 2013.

Banking Special: Robust Performance In Saudi

Saudi’s behemoth banks were flush with capital in 2012.

Saudi Arabia To Issue Bonds For Jeddah, Riyadh Airports

The Kingdom’s aviation authority launched its first sukuk in 2012 and raised SAR15 billion to fund the Jeddah airport development.

Saudi Arabia’s 2012 Budget Surplus At Record 14.2% Of GDP

2013 revenue projected at a conservative SAR829 bn, according to Emirates NBD, as spending on education and healthcare to increase.