#Economy

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank lists $750m bond on Nasdaq Dubai

Dubai’s US-dollar denominated debt listings are now valued at $98.5bn

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed launches new platforms to support startups and investors in the UAE

The UAE will also host a new Investopia Investment Summit in March 2022

Only vaccinated individuals now allowed to enter malls, restaurants, gyms and salons in Kuwait

A person will need to show their vaccination status on the My Identity or Immunity mobile application

UAE to enter 25 new markets to boost foreign trade – Sheikh Mohammed

The UAE is seeking to grow its national exports by 50 per cent over the coming years

Oman

Oman to introduce new long-term residency programme for foreign investors

Starting September 2021, the Investment Residency Programme will offer renewable five and ten-year visas subject to applicants meeting specific criteria

E-commerce

UAE retail e-commerce market reaches $3.9bn in 2020

In 2020, the apparel and footwear category had the highest share of 33 per cent ($1.3bn) in the UAE retail e-commerce market

Dubai UAE

Dubai repays 10-year $500m bond certificates

The 10-year note, under the Euro Medium Term Note Programme, reached maturity on June 22, 2021

China crypto clampdown sends bitcoin closer to key $30,000 level

Bitcoin has roughly halved from a record of $65,000 in mid-April

Commercial Bank of Dubai Network International

Commercial Bank of Dubai partners with Network International for pre-approved business loans

CBD will offer business loans to Network’s retail and ecommerce clients against their Point of Sale machines or payment gateway proceeds

Nasdaq Dubai Indonesia Government

Indonesian government lists three sukuk valued at $3bn on Nasdaq Dubai

The total value of all sukuk listed by the Indonesian government on the exchange now stands at $19.75bn

Saudi non-oil economy rebounded to 2.9% growth in first quarter

In the first quarter, Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy grew at its fastest pace since 2019

Dubai external trade

Dubai’s non-oil external trade grows to Dhs354bn in Q1 2021

China remained Dubai’s largest trading partner in Q1 2021, with Dhs44bn worth of trade

Emirates Development Bank

Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Development Bank closes $750m five-year bond

This was the second USD transaction issued under EDB’s $3bn Euro Medium Term Note programme

Emirates-NBD

Emirates NBD lists $750m bond on Nasdaq Dubai

Emirates NBD the largest financial services bond issuer on Nasdaq Dubai through seven listings with a total value of $5.1bn

Abu Dhabi Ports

ADX lists $1bn bonds issued by Abu Dhabi Ports

The exchange’s market capitalisation increased 27 per cent during the first quarter of 2021 to Dhs940bn

Emirates Development Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai

Emirates Development Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai sign MoU for SME lending programme

CBD can offer up to Dhs10m financing to an SME, and 50 per cent of the facility amount will be either guaranteed or co-lent by EDB

UAE Central Bank

UAE Central Bank foreign assets reach Dhs392.4bn by end of Q1 2021

The central bank’s foreign assets increased 0.4 per cent year-on-year

Sheikh Mohammed reveals UAE created 248,000 jobs last year

Despite a global economic slowdown, the UAE has remained economically resilient, he said

Covid-19: Kuwait ends quarantine for vaccinated travellers, eases some restrictions

Restaurants and cafes can offer dine-in services starting from Sunday, May 23

Oman’s National Gas Company terminates CEO

Covid-19: Oman lifts movement ban, commercial activities resume with some restrictions

The number of visitors to commercial complexes and restaurants will be capped at 50 per cent of capacity

FDI UAE

UAE FDI inflow climbs over 44% to $19.88bn in 2020

FDI outflows meanwhile amounted to $9.2bn and covered various vital economic sectors

Dubai Economy

Dubai business growth back to pre-covid path – report

The private sector, excluding oil, grew for a fifth-straight month in April, according to IHS Markit

Abu Dhabi IHC

Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company to list three subsidiaries on ADX Second Market

They will be listed on the exchange’s Second Market in Q2 2021

The impact of VAT on the Omani economy

GCC states have the discretion to zero rate and exempt certain categories of supplies and Oman has used this discretion

Abu Dhabi Ports

Abu Dhabi Ports issues $1bn 10-year bond

The issuance was more than 4.5 times oversubscribed

Oman state oil firm to sell assets to fund $7.9bn spending

OQ is tapping the international bond market for the first time in an issuance aimed at raising at least $500m

UAE’s Environment Ministry to reduce or waive fees for 50 services from May 1

The fee for the permit to use the ‘Organic’ logo for organic products (previously Dhs5,000) will be waived

Saudi Crown Prince discusses Vision 2030, reveals plan to sell Aramco stake to energy firm

The kingdom has no plans to introduce an income tax, Prince Mohammed confirmed

Ajman Free Zone

Ajman Free Zone registered 1,717 new companies in 2020

Offshore companies comprised 11 per cent of the total number of new companies

Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD Capital records strongest ever quarter in debt capital market

Emirates NBD Capital led 24 transactions in Q1 2021 raising over $18bn