Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait to enter key JP Morgan bond indexes

The indexes are key performance benchmarks for international investors in emerging market debt

VAT not recoverable on staff parties in the UAE, clarifies regulator

Companies cannot recover the tax incurred on goods or services purchased to be given away to staff free of charge

UAE’s Al Dahra to invest further $500m in Romania

Abu Dhabi’s Al Dahra has been expanding aggressively in eastern Europe in the last five years

UK-based Actis picked to take over Abraaj’s Africa funds

Liquidators have started breaking up the operations of private equity firm Abraaj

Dubai developer Nakheel plans sukuk sale, mall financing

The company is planning to return to the debt market with a new public issue of US dollar-denominated sukuk

UAE’s Emirates Global Aluminium cites ‘unfavourable’ conditions for IPO delay

The decision to delay the IPO was prompted by US tariffs on aluminum imports, claims report

Saudi’s ACWA Power delays plans for IPO – sources

It is the latest company to delay a public listing in Saudi

Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala posts H1 profit of $2.97bn

Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) was merged with Mubadala in March this year

Dubai’s Emaar, Emirates NBD partner for new credit cards

The Visa credit cards will allow users to earn and redeem points at 1,500 Emaar touchpoints across hotels, restaurants and leisure outlets

Abu Dhabi Islamic aims to boost lending after capital increase

The bank expects to grow lending by up to 5 per cent this year

Bahrain’s Investcorp announces $250m investment in China

The company will invest up to $150m in the second round of the China Everbright Limited New Economy Fund

Dubai bank Emirates NBD expands in Saudi

The lender now has branches in three Saudi cities including Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar

Saudi records 187 VAT violations among schools, bookstores

The targeted field campaigns were carried out by inspection teams during the first week of the new school year

Saudi to auction detained billionaire Maan al-Sanea’s real estate assets

Sanea was detained last year for unpaid debts dating back to 2009

Abu Dhabi Financial Group offers revised bid for Abraaj’s Middle East funds

More than a dozen bidders are seeking to buy the bulk of Abraaj’s private equity funds

Dubai climbs to 15th on financial centres index

Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Riyadh saw their ranking delcine

Saudi targets $2bn with new Islamic bonds

It would be the kingdom’s second international sale of sukuk after a $9bn transaction last year

Saudi expected to announce dollar sukuk sale soon

The new debt issue would be Saudi Arabia’s second international sukuk, following a $9bn debut deal last year

Abu Dhabi stock exchange to launch futures trading in 2019

Regional exchanges are seeking to lure more investors

Saudi’s PIF selects Goldman Sachs, BofAML as advisers on SABIC sale

Aramco plans to buy a controlling stake in SABIC

Indian rupee touches fresh new low against the dollar, UAE dirham

It hit a new record low of 72.58 against the US dollar on Monday

UAE introduces framework for fintech pilot licences

A similar licence concept currently exists in free zones ADGM and DIFC

Standard Chartered appoints Emirati woman as new UAE CEO

Rola Abu Manneh replaces Julian Wynter, who is retiring

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital says will acquire 87% of Kuwait’s Amwal

Shuaa said it was negotiating a potential acquisition of Amwal in January

Dubai’s Abraaj receives $1 bid for fund unit

The business managed $14bn at its peak

Bahrain’s Investcorp acquires stake in Banque Pâris Bertrand Sturdza

Investcorp has set a goal of reaching $50bn in assets under management

MSCI to launch tradeable index with Saudi exchange in Q4

The moves come after MSCI classified Saudi Arabian equity market as an emerging market in June

Dubai’s Fintech Hive accelerator begins second edition

A total of 22 finalists will undertake the 12-week programme

Abu Dhabi’s ADCB, Union, Al Hilal Bank in talks to merge

If successful a deal could be announced as early as this month, Bloomberg said

Saudi sells SAR4bn of domestic sukuk

The Islamic bonds were sold in the kingdom’s monthly auction