Banking & Finance

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

Abu Dhabi’s Yahsat approves interim dividend of $55.79 million for H1 2024

Dividends will be distributed to shareholders registered by the end of the business day on September 12

STC Bank becomes founding partner of Saudi Arabia’s 24 Fintech event

During its participation at 24 Fintech, STC Bank will showcase its offerings and services

UAE approves consolidated financial statistics for 2023 with $39.2 billion government surplus 

Last year, the country attracted a record $30.49 billion in foreign direct investment, ranking second globally

Algeria joins BRICS New Development Bank: A new era in economic collaboration

By joining the BRICS financial branch, Algeria is advancing its global financial integration

Bahrain: Multinational enterprises required to pay new 15 percent minimum tax on profits starting January 1, 2025

This new framework for MNEs is fully in line with the guidelines set by the OECD

UAE to host major global events in September: All you need to know

The DIFC will host the inaugural Dubai AI & Web3 Festival on September 11-12 at Madinat Jumeirah

Kuwait Warba Bank’s $500 million sukuk issuance on London Stock Exchange draws $1.8 billion in 3.5x demand

These five-year sukuk support projects advancing ESG goals aligned with sustainability objectives