Kuwait seeks approval to use wealth fund to finance deficit

The government’s also attempting to push through parliament legislation allowing it to tap international bond markets

Different Arab money

Revealed: Impact of Covid-19 on GCC retail banks revenues

BCG says earnings could shrink by -2.1% annually between 2019 and 2024

Why fintech is on the brink of rapid expansion in the GCC

The GCC is catching up with developed markets in terms of financial inclusion

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development

ADEX inks Dhs22m deal to finance UAE’s Jenaan sugar refinery project in Egypt

Jenaan to import raw materials from Borouge to manufacture and supply irrigation systems

Central Bank of the UAE

UAE banks return Dhs14.47bn received from Central Bank’s TESS initiative

A Dhs100bn Targeted Economic Support Scheme initiative was launched by the CBUAE in March 2020

Gulf fund raises $75m for Mideast, North African startups

The appetite for tech firms has been increasing among Gulf investors as governments in the region step up efforts to steer their economies away from oil

UK court orders asset freeze of NMC founder BR Shetty, other company executives

The order was secured by NMC’s biggest creditor, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

FlexxPay raises $3m in pre-series A round to enhance technology platform

FlexxPay is currently available in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and will be launched in Bahrain next month

Wealth management: the opportunities and the challenges

Family businesses contribute to more than 90% of the economic activity in the country

The SME loan journey: How can it be made easier?

Banks and financial institutions must opt for online credit process with automated elements – offered by companies such as Comarch – to ensure they meet the current market needs

NMC Health expects UAE, Oman operations to continue in 2021, after sale of non-core assets

NMC is undertaking a complete restructuring of its balance sheet following the discovery of significant fraud and debt

Exchange house in UAE fined Dhs504,000 by Central Bank

The exchange house reportedly has a weak anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism compliance framework

Saudi economy grew 2.8% in fourth quarter as Covid impact eased

Saudi Arabia was hit hard last year as a drop in crude prices decimated government revenue while measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus limited economic activity

UAE-Israeli consortium moves closer to reopening Finablr

Matrix International picked for financial compliance and fraud prevention

Dubai Financial Services Authority

Dubai’s DFSA fines former DIFC employee $165,000

The authority has also restricted him from performing any function in connection with the provision of financial services in or from the DIFC

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange slashes trading fees by 22%

The value of securities traded on the exchange increased 28 per cent to Dhs72.8bn in 2020 from Dhs56.8bn in 2019

One of world’s richest nations taps wealth fund as cash dries up

To generate liquidity, the government began last year swapping its best assets for cash with the $600bn Future Generations Fund

Digital money: Cryptocurrencies becoming more institutional, less obscure

The positive sentiment in the crypto space relies on increased mainstream adoption, as well as on successful developments of technological infrastructure

First Abu Dhabi Bank appoints new International Banking head

Clarence Singam-Zhou will begin his new role from March 1, 2021

Abu Dhabi Criminal Court

Two Abu Dhabi execs fined Dhs8bn, jailed for 15 years in money laundering case

The two men, who have not been named, reportedly took advantage of their position in the company and misused public funds

Saudi’s Public Investment Fund to set up airline company – reports

The company will operate international and domestic flights

How can UAE businesses ensure compliance with ESR and UBO regulations?

Employing the services of certified audit firms can help companies in the country meet regulatory requirements and avoid penalties

How you can make your wealth work for you

From creating a diversified portfolio to making well-informed asset choices, it is critical to have the right kind of advice in order to protect your investments

Abu Dhabi’s ADCB sees creditors approval for NMC restructuring in first half

The bank recorded $450m in provisions and interest in suspense toward NMC, Finablr and associated companies last year

Saudi chemical giant SABIC sees vaccinations boosting income

SABIC earned net income of SAR40m in 2020, down sharply from SAR5.2bn in 2019

UAE Central Bank imposes fines worth Dhs45.75m on 11 banks

The financial sanctions were imposed on January 24, 2021

National Bank of Fujairah posts net loss of Dhs475m for 2020

The decline was attributed to a substantial increase in impairment provisions and lower operating profit

Saudi arrests businessmen, bank employees in $3.1bn corruption scheme

Those arrested were allegedly involved in a scheme that transferred more than SAR11.5bn outside the country

Saudi Arabia won’t erase budget deficit by 2024, says Goldman

Saudi Arabia said it would cut spending 7.3 per cent in 2021 to SAR990bn