HSBC arranges first green export credit agency loan for Saudi ministry

The proceeds of the loan are being used to purchase buses from Germany for the kingdom’s public transport network

Saudi car rental firm Theeb hires Fransi Capital for IPO

The IPO could happen next year, depending on how quickly the company recovers from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak

HSBC UAE launches online trading platform for wealth clients

The platform provides access to stock exchanges in the US, UK and Hong Kong

DIFC

China strengthens fintech cooperation with Dubai through new agreement with DIFC

Jiaozi Fintech Dreamworks and DIFC will collaborate on key sectors such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing

Covid-19 is the chief concern for UAE investors – UBS study

Majority of UAE investors said they were optimistic about the global economy

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia refutes reports that it is mulling income tax

An official within the government added that the “issue is fundamentally not for discussion”

Dubai Islamic Bank posts 23% dip in net profit for H1 2020

The bank’s total income worth Dhs6.8bn for the first half of 2020 also fell 2 per cent from Dhs6.98bn in H1 2019

Dubai’s Emirates NBD lists $750m bond on Nasdaq Dubai

The perpetual bond is callable after six years and pays a coupon of 6.125 per cent

Bahrain’s Al Salam Bank partners with Bahrain bourse, Central Bank on new Shari’a-compliant framework

New structure reduces fees and provides an alternative for local financial institutions traditionally reliant on international brokers

Mastercard grants Wirex approval to issue crypto payment cards

Mastercard expands its Accelerate programme, making it easier for cryptocurrency and crypto card partners to join

Kuwait runs into resistance on bill to boost borrowing

Kuwait raised $8bn in March 2017 in its first sale of international bonds

Emirates NBD posts 45% dip in net profit for H1 2020

Net interest income worth Dhs9.3bn improved 36 per cent year-on-year in H1 2020

UAE’s Al-Futtaim Group partners with Tabby to offer flexible shopping options

Al-Futtaim Group will be extending this feature to its retail stores, other brands and business units across the UAE by the end of 2020

Why the regional fintech ecosystem is booming

Regional fintech startups hold tremendous room for growth

Sheikh Khalifa issues decree to restructure board of directors of UAE Central Bank

The restructure follows the appointment of Abdulhamid Saeed as governor in April

Abu Dhabi bourse plans first ETF next month, followed by futures

The exchange in the capital of the United Arab Emirates is close to setting up a central clearing house

DP World

DP World lists $1.5bn sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The capital raised by the sukuk will be used for general corporate and growth purposes including refinancing debt

Shailesh Dash main

Phi Trends: Why it’s never too late to start investing

Investing requires a long-term approach to yield better results, opines entrepreneur and investor Shailesh Dash in his new series

Bahrain digitisation

Why digitalisation has helped Bahraini banks escape the brunt of Covid-19

As Covid-enforced social distancing measures became commonplace, Bahrainis turned increasingly online to conduct financial services

Saudi stock market sees IPO activity returning after virus slump

The stock exchange is planning to complete its own share sale within the next 24 months

How can investors find the right asset allocation mix in the current situation?

The key for investors is to find the asset mix that not only improves their returns, but more-so their decision-making process

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development

Covid-19: Abu Dhabi Fund suspends debt repayment for beneficiary countries, companies

It covers the payment of instalments and interests over the period from January 1 to December 31, 2020

Abu Dhabi Islamic bank provides exclusive offers to healthcare workers

These offers include a reduction on the profit rate and pricing discounts on some of the bank’s financial products

Dubai reveals additional stimulus package worth Dhs1.5bn to support businesses

The stimulus package aims to support small and medium enterprises and a number of strategic sectors

How to be financially prepared amid the Covid-19 outbreak

These four financial moves can help tide you through challenging times

New M&A wave seen for Gulf banks trying to outrun virus slowdown

There are more than 70 listed banks in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council

Abu dhabi uae capital flag

UAE provided financial facilities worth Dhs5.8bn to non-profit organisations in Q1 2020

The Central Bank of the UAE has said that the support provided to non-profit organisations is expected to increase in 2020

DIFC Presidential Directive ends on July 31, 2020

The directive had introduced new measures for employees and businesses related to their workforce

TOPSHOT - A worker wearing a hard hat walks past a mural in Dubai on June 3, 2020. - Shopping malls in Dubai will fully reopen for business on June 3, in the latest easing of COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions, the emirate's media office announced. The step makes the glitzy city-state the first in the Middle East to drop nearly all restrictions to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus that hit retailers and leisure activities. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Messages from executives: How are regional offices reopening amid Covid-19 concerns?

With regional businesses now allowed to return back to offices, how are they handling the transition?