UAE’s Central Bank launches new deposit facility for banks

The facility is a first step towards implementing the new Dirham Monetary Framework announced earlier this year

Tether

Cryptocurrency Tether’s market valuation crosses $10bn

At the start of the year, it was valued at $4.1bn

Abu Dhabi’s virtual trading platform closes funding round

MidChains is expected to launch trading operations in 2020, subject to FSRA approval

Dubai Financial Market

Dubai Financial Market to reopen trading floor on July 7

DFM had announced the temporary closure of the premises on March 16 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic

Ian Fairservice Managing Partner and Group Editor - Motivate Media Group

Motivate Media Group and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center launch Dhs1m fund for tech startups

The fund will provide in-kind services including marketing and advertising support across platforms of Motivate’s leading titles

Coronavirus pandemic drags global M&A to lowest level since 2012

Little more than $1 trillion of deals have been announced this year, making for the slowest first half since 2012

Indonesia lists three sukuk valued at $2.5bn on Nasdaq Dubai

The listings consist of a 10-year issuance of $1bn and two issuances of $750m each

Revealed: Key facts about the new data protection law issued by Dubai’s DIFC

The new law will cement the centre’s position as well as enhance its data protection practices

Dubai Islamic Bank lists $300m sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

There is a total of $71.09bn sukuk now listed on the exchange

Dubai World pays $8.2bn two years early to complete debt revamp

The payment was made using funds from asset sales, dividend payments and the delisting of port operator DP World

Japan’s SMBC Nikko to open branches in Paris, Abu Dhabi

SMBC Nikko’s overseas operations earned $143m before taxes in the year ended March

saudi arabia riyadh

Saudi net foreign assets rise for first time since January

The stockpile climbed by about SAR3bn ($800m) to reach $445bn

Pakistan Stock Exchange says building under attack by gunmen

The KSE 100 index, which dropped after news of the attack, gained 0.1 per cent at 11.40am in Karachi

Haj Saeed bin Ahmed Al Lootah

Haj Saeed bin Ahmed Al Lootah, founder of Dubai Islamic Bank, dies

Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan paid tribute to the founder of the world’s first Islamic bank

Saudi’s Islamic Development Bank lists $1.5bn sustainability sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The AAA-rated sustainability sukuk is the first Covid-19 related sukuk in the global capital markets

Dubai’s Emirates Islamic offers incentives to UAE healthcare professionals

The bank is offering the Skywards Infinite Card, Etihad Guest Premium Credit Card, and the free for life Cashback Plus Visa Signature Credit Card and RTA Credit Card to healthcare professionals

Saudi bank NCB plans $15.6bn takeover of rival Samba

The combined bank would have total assets of about $210bn, making it the third largest in the region behind Qatar National Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank

The way forward for GCC’s sustainable construction space

Regional governments are stepping up efforts to transition to sustainable building practices

Saudi’s Samba CEO sees U-shaped recovery after ‘triple jeopardy’

The kingdom unveiled a second $13.3bn stimulus package to protect lenders against an expected drop in profits and rise in bad loans

Facebook and Khalifa Fund relaunch ‘She Means Business’ mentorship programme in the UAE

The programme will support and train 1,300 women entrepreneurs through a series of virtual training sessions

Sharjah Islamic Bank lists $500m sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The latest listing raises the total value of sukuk listed in Dubai to $69.29bn

Dubai’s DGCX to launch first FX rolling futures contracts in July 2020

These will be perpetual contracts that are automatically rolled over at the close of the trading day if an open position still exists

Oman Muscat

Moody’s downgrades Oman for a second time in 2020 as oil dips

This year, Oman trimmed its budget expenditure and announced liquidity support in an effort to provide some relief from the Covid-19 shock

Mubadala to double down on tech after $1.2bn Jio stake

The $232bn fund is looking at India, China and Southeast Asia for potential investments

This UAE firm offers a letter of guarantee with no fees in less than 24 hours

UAE-based Finance House offers the Al Rabeh Guarantee service to support local businesses

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala weighs selling property assets to Aldar

Mubadala may also dispose of some residential buildings in the United Arab Emirates’ capital

UAE Central Bank’s TESS liquidity scheme availed by 26 banks

More than 140,000 eligible customers have already benefited from the TESS liquidity facility

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ in talks for loans to fund acquisition spree

The investment firm could raise more than $3bn through a five-year loan

saudi arabia covid-19

Saudi Arabia rolls out $1bn industrial support package

Gross domestic product is expected to shrink the most in two decades this year

Dubai Islamic Bank lists $1bn sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The sukuk was nearly 4.5 times subscribed with a profit rate of 2.95 per cent per annum