Banking & Finance

OPEC fund approves $1.2 billion development funding for over 17 countries

Fund approved $392 million for Oman, which will support the Dibba-Lima-Khasab road project

Islamic banks to outpace conventional banking in GCC, says Moody’s

Non-oil economic growth in GCC countries to remain strong in 2025 due to ambitious government economic diversification plans

Gross banks’ assets surpass $1.16 trillion by end of June 2024, reports UAE Central Bank

Gross credit rose by 1.1 percent to AED2,100.9 billion by the end of June 2024

AI to contribute $100 billion to UAE’s GDP by 2030

The UAE is solidifying its status as a leading player in the global AI landscape, says Astra Tech founder

PGIM secures ADGM license, opens office in Abu Dhabi

This marks PGIM’s formal entry into the Middle East market

Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 welcomes 21 startups with $134.9 million in funding

Seven startups will join Hub71+ ClimateTech, gaining tailored resources for their sustainability missions

Saudi Aramco announces agreements with key Chinese partners

Aramco's agreement with Hengli Group enables talks for a potential 10 percent stake acquisition

Oman Central Bank issues treasury bills worth $77.93 million

The bills have a maturity period of 28 days amounted to OMR300,000, with an average acceptable price of OMR99.650 

Kuwait Central Bank issues bonds, tawarruq worth $792 million

On August 19, KCB announced a similar allocation of bonds and tawarruq for three months at the same value and return rate 

UAE: RAKBANK executes its first central bank digital currency cross-border transaction

The trade, facilitated through CBUAE’s mBridge platform, instantaneously transferred digital dirham against digital Chinese yuan

Unlocking MENA’s thriving investment opportunities at the EFG Hermes 10th Annual London Investor Conference

Leaders will convene from September 9 to 12 to discuss innovations in capital markets and regulatory developments

Microsoft and partners to generate $24 billion in Saudi Arabia over next four years, says IDC study

Microsoft’s partner ecosystem will earn roughly $8 for every $1 of revenue generated by Microsoft’s cloud services

Central Bank of Egypt forecasts easing inflation amid continued maintenance of interest rates

The MPC noted that domestic real GDP growth had moderated to 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024

Bank of Sharjah prices $500 million bond, attracts orders worth $1.4 billion

The bonds have a tenor of five years from the date of issuance, with a coupon of 5.25 percent per annum

Egypt’s net international reserves hit $46.6 billion in August: CBE

Following the Ras El-Hekma deal earlier in the year, Egypt's net international reserves rose $11.2 billion over the last five months

Rising bank credit demand in the UAE amid positive economic outlook, says Central Bank

In Q2, demand for trade credit remained strong, with a greater appetite for lending 

GCC banks well positioned to continue strong run in 2024: Report

The report stated that high interest rates kept profit margins at 2.7 percent, with strong bank profitability in H1

Saudi Arabia and Türkiye central banks sign MoU to enhance economic cooperation, financial stability 

The central banks will share expertise and resources to address challenges and boost economic development

National banks in the UAE invest $1.19 billion in local stock markets in 12 months: CBUAE

By the end of May, these banks had elevated their equity investments to AED16.1 billion

Abu Dhabi’s Masdar’s $1 billion green bond issuance drew $4.6 billion in demand, oversubscribed 4.6x

In July 2024, Masdar successfully raised $1 billion through its green bond issuance under its Green Finance Framework

Italy’s Saipem secures $1 billion in two major offshore contracts with Saudi Aramco

Saipem will be responsible for the EPCI three production deck modules, 33 km of subsea pipelines, and 34 km of power cables

How remittances from the Middle East empower global economies

The Middle East and North Africa region has become a top destination for high-skill migration, resulting in substantial outward remittances

UAE corporate tax: FTA urges registration by end of September

The FTA noted that an administrative penalty will be levied on taxable persons who fail to comply