BlackRock acquires GIP (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

BlackRock to buy infrastructure firm Global Infrastructure Partners for $3bn

GIP is the world’s largest independent infrastructure manager with more than $100bn in AUM and a strong reputation for driving operational improvements in its portfolio companies

Saudi Arabia’s Avalon Pharma sets IPO price range

Saudi Arabia’s Avalon Pharma sets IPO price range

The company will offer six million shares, or 30 per cent of its issued share capital, on the Saudi Exchange

QNB Group’s full-year net profit jumps 8%

QNB Group posts QAR15.5bn in full-year profit

The banking group had QAR1.23tn in total assets at the end of December, a 4 per cent increase, driven by growth in loans and advances

FAB issues $800m sukuk, marks first for the year globally

UAE: FAB issues 5-year $800m sukuk, marks first for the year globally

The order book for First Abu Dhabi Bank’s sukuk, which was 1.9 times oversubscribed, represented leading investors, including international fund managers, banks and supranationals

Oman

Oman sets up sustainable finance framework in green push

The Sultanate plans to issue sustainable finance instruments whose proceeds will be used to fund and re-finance renewable energy projects

ADIB launches b2b digital marketplace for smes Image Supplied

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank launches b2b marketplace for SMEs

The all-in-one digital platform aims to significantly reduce the cost of doing business for SMES by providing them with a wide range of exclusive offers and discounts

US SEC gives bitcoin ETFs the green light

US SEC approves bitcoin ETFs in watershed for crypto market

The regulator approved 11 applications, including from BlackRock, despite warnings from some officials and investor advocates that the products carried risks

tokenisation

Insights: Here’s how to fight fraud with tokenisation

As financial services become more sophisticated, so do the fraudulent techniques used by scammers. But this is where tokenisation can make a difference

Saudi Arabia leads MENA venture capital market

Saudi Arabia secures $1.4bn in 2023, leads MENA VC fundraising

The kingdom’s venture capital market was boosted by the government’s focus on innovation, a dedicated unicorn project, and investments from sovereign funds

Mubadala lists dual currency bond on ADX

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala lists $5.3bn duel currency bond on ADX

The listings include Mubadala’s debut green bond and the fund’s inaugural dirham-denominated bond

Strong demand for Saudi Arabia’s $12bn bond issuance

Saudi Arabia has successfully sold $3.25bn, $4bn and $4.75bn bonds in tenors of six, 10 and 30 years for domestic budgetary purposes

DIFC to organise hedge fund event in May Image WAM DIFC

Dubai: DIFC, HFM partner to launch region’s first hedge fund event in May

The invitation-only event will provide attendees with insightful content sessions, interactive roundtables and integrated networking activities

Q Holding

IHC’s Q Holding revamps top leadership with new group CEO

The new management team has been brought on from Modon Properties as the group undergoes a restructuring since August last year

Saudi Exchange Tadawul launches new index to track top 50 listed companies Image tadawul

Saudi Exchange launches TASI50 Index to track top listed firms

The launch of the real-time index advances the Saudi Exchange’s goal to provide investors with enhanced benchmark opportunities to help support Saudi Vision 2030’s Financial Sector Development Program

Bahrain Steel company to receive Dhs450m SLL Image Getty images

Bahrain Steel to receive $450m sustainability-linked loan from bank consortium

The SLL’s framework incentivises Bahrain Steel to exceed mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reductions, facilitating the company’s transition toward lower carbon operations

ADX gets new chairman

Abu Dhabi: ADQ appoints new chairman of ADX, two board directors

Al Mazrouei also serves on the boards of Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions & Benefit Fund and AafaQ Islamic Finance

Avalon Pharma to sell 30% stake in Riyadh IPO

Saudi Arabia’s Avalon Pharma plans to list 30% on Tadawul

The pharmaceutical firm said the final offer price will be determined following a January 14-18 book-building period

Remittances rise by 5%, reveals world bank report

Bucking the trend: 2024 GCC banking outlook

GCC banks’ financial performance remains resilient while they capture and benefit from the growth opportunities arising on the back of the long-term National Vision

Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani

Billionaire index: Gautam Adani surpasses Mukesh Ambani as India’s richest man

Adani currently ranks 12 among the world’s richest

Saudi PIF increases stake in MEPCO to 23.08%

Saudi wealth fund PIF hikes stake in MEPCO to 23.08%

The fund said the investment will enable MEPCO to expand its production, raise its operational efficiency, and support environmental sustainability

PIF-owned SRC extends refinancing deal with Alrajhi Bank - GettyImages-1667969985

PIF’s SRC extends refinancing deal with Alrajhi Bank, total value hits SAR10.8bn

The extension of this agreement is aimed at advancing the goals of the Vision 2030 Housing Program

saving - loud budgeting

Beating back Januworry: 9 ways to start saving money now

Here is a practical and step by step saving strategy designed to empower individuals on their journey to financial success

How world sees GCC: Region’s sovereign wealth funds on the rise

The GCC region has been named the “region of the year” when it comes to sovereign wealth funds, according to Global SWF

Saudi Arabia’s PIF invests $31.6bn in 2023

Saudi wealth fund PIF splashes $31.6bn in 2023

Big-ticket purchases included $4.9bn for US gaming company Scopely, $3.6bn to buy Standard Chartered’s aircraft leasing division and $3.3bn for steelmaker Hadeed

Dubai Financial Market Company

Dubai financial frenzy: Surge as investor accounts hit new record

A major uptick in investor accounts have been recorded on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), helped by interest in the Dubai Taxi IPO

UAE introduces law to regulate short-term credit facilities

UAE sets out legislation to regulate buy-now-pay-later credit

BNPL fintech firms can provide short-term credit services upon being licenced by the central bank as restricted licence finance companies

GCC region M&A blazes trail as global deals decline

GCC region M&A blazes trail as global deals decline

The GCC region has proven to be one of the most kinetic deal markets in the world in 2023, with dealmakers expected to remain relatively active in the near future

islamic finance_ sukuks Getty images

Global outstanding sukuk market hits $823bn in Q3 2023

The growth in outstanding sukuk is attributed to several factors that are driving the issuance of Islamic bonds including issuers that seek to plug budget deficits

gratuity - pension - end-of-service

UAE’s new end-of-service benefits scheme for employees: Why should you switch?

Hear from an expert on the UAE’s newly implemented end-of-service benefits scheme

Cash deposits in UAE hit Dhs687.2bn by October-end

Cash deposits in UAE hit Dhs687.2bn by October-end

The central bank said cash deposits during the first ten months of 2023 soared by 8.12 per cent or Dhs51.6bn