Dubai reduces instant licence fee by over 90 per cent to Dhs250

For existing licence holders, the new fee will apply at the time of renewals

Egypt asks IMF for financial aid amid coronavirus fight

Egypt has reported 4,319 cases of the coronavirus, including 307 deaths

Dubai’s DIFC says employers can reduce pay during Covid-19 crisis without employee consent

The new directives will remain effective from April 21 – July 31, 2020

Saudi wealth fund seeking ‘any opportunity’ amid virus

The Public Investment Fund has stepped up deal-making in a bid to become the world’s biggest manager of sovereign capital

World Bank sees record 20% slump in remittances due to virus

The US has long been the top source for outflows, with other major countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Germany and Russia

Dubai’s Emirates NBD posts 24% fall in net profit for Q1 2020

Total income for the first quarter at Dh6.88bn remains fairly unchanged from Dh6.87bn in the preceding quarter

UAE banks not allowed to lay off nationals in response to virus

The order does not include those Emirati employees who have resigned or breached job duties that require letting them go

Three ways Fintech is transforming everyday life

How fintech is revamping the financial landscape amid Covid-19 outbreak

Technology and digitisation of businesses is no longer ‘nice to have’, but is a necessity in a business capacity as well as for personal banking and trading

VC firms raised $21bn last quarter despite pandemic chaos

In the first quarter of this year, 62 venture capital funds raised a total of $21bn in the US

Dubai’s DIFC offers three-month rent waiver to retailers

From April to June 2020, retailers of all types based in Gate Avenue, Gate Village and Gate District will not be required to pay basic rent

NMC saga: Abu Dhabi’s ADCB begins criminal legal action against several people

ADCB is owed $963m by Abu Dhabi healthcare group NMC, which has now been placed under administration

Saudi Arabia joins Gulf dollar bond binge with new debt offering

Saudi Arabia is offering the 40-year tranche at about 5.15 per cent

Kuwait’s stock exchange delays trading debut due to Covid-19

The listing, scheduled for April 19, has been postponed until further notice

HSBC announces regional Covid-19 charity projects

As much as $505,000 has been allocated to projects in the UAE, which is expected to reach around 13,720 people

Saudi’s Maaden to focus on preserving cash instead of shareholder payout

The company has no plans to cut capital expenditure in response to the coronavirus infection

Emirates NBD approves 40% dividend

UAE’s Emirates NBD launches contactless export trade collections service

Clients can access the new digital feature from the safety of their homes or offices to submit an export collections request

Emirates Islamic contributes Dhs10m to UAE’s Covid-19 relief fund

Emirates Islamic is the first Dubai-based financial institution to contribute to the fund launched by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department

Saudi wealth fund builds $200m stake in Norway’s state oil company

The fund last month built an 8.2 per cent stake in cruise operator Carnival Corp. after shares slumped due to the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic

Visa commits $210m to support small and micro businesses, offer Covid-19 relief

Small and micro businesses make up more than 90 per cent of worldwide businesses, contributing 50 to 60 per cent of global employment

Regulator of Dubai’s financial hub DIFC proposes relief measures for firms

Certain fees have been waived and extensions have been granted for some of the processes

Kuwait’s wealth fund on standby as oil price, virus hit finances

By law, 10 per cent of state revenue is annually transferred into the Future Generations Fund, which invests abroad and has adequate liquidity to meet any requirement

Dubai Islamic Bank reveals $425m of exposure to NMC Health

Dubai Islamic Bank is in talks with NMC’s other main creditors and advisers to ascertain the hospital operator’s financial position

Central Bank UAE

UAE Central Bank appoints new governor; extends debt relief measures to December 31

Saeed replaces Mubarak Rashed Khamis Al Mansoori who occupied the post since 2014

NMC’s new chairman asks for ‘patience’ as creditor ADCB seeks to appoint administrators

Placing the company in administration would create “considerable downsides” on the community, country, the company and its creditors, said Belhoul

Binance

Can banks play the fintech game?

Banks, having recognised the need for the integration between finance and technology, have had to re-assess their digital strategies and collaboration with third-party service providers to stay relevant

ADCB’s $981m NMC exposure risks wiping out 80% of profit

ADCB had total assets of Dhs405bn at the end of last year

Abu Dhabi bank ADCB says no layoffs in 2020 due to Covid-19 impact

The lender, the third largest in the UAE, is also participating in a package of financial incentives

Saudi tells banks to support businesses to avoid job cuts

Central banks around the world have unveiled emergency stimulus packages

Kuwait leads drop in Mideast stocks after downgrade

Kuwait was downgraded one level to AA-, with S&P maintaining a stable outlook

Bahrain’s GIB hires Deutsche Bank’s Jamal Al Kishi as CEO

A number of executives have exited Deutsche Bank’s Middle East operations in recent times