Finance UAE introduces regulations to clean up crypto market The UAE has taken steps towards regulating its payments sector with the introduction of Payment Token Services Regulation in an attempt to push out fraudulent crypto companies and attract legitimate businesses. The new regulations introduced by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) focus heavily on stablecoins – digital currencies pegged to a real-world asset […] June 28, 2024
Finance Kuwait opens wealth fund office in Saudi Arabia Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund is to open an office in Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom turns to its Gulf neighbours to shore up flagging foreign investment in its giga-projects. Anwar al-Mudhaf, chairman of the Kuwait Investment Authority and Kuwait’s finance minister, praised Saudi Arabia as an investment location and as a key player in the […] June 28, 2024
Economy UAE’s budget to remain in surplus in 2024 The consolidated budget of the UAE will remain in surplus in 2024 at 4.1 percent of GDP after reaching 7.8 percent last year, ratings agency Fitch has said. Abu Dhabi and Dubai will remain in surplus, but deficits will be seen in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah. The Emirates’ consolidated surplus will amount to 3.3 […] June 28, 2024
Economy Turkey holds interest rate at 50% despite inflation risks Turkey’s central bank maintained its benchmark interest rate at 50 percent and will retain a tight monetary stance until inflation is tamed. The last 500 basis points rise to the benchmark rate was announced in March following a deteriorating inflation outlook. The rate has been hiked by 4,150 basis points since June 2023 to ease inflation […] June 28, 2024
Finance Drake & Scull opens nominations for new board Dubai contractor Drake & Scull International (DSI) has opened nominations for new board members, after the completion of a lengthy restructuring process. DSI is looking to fill seven positions, according to a filing to Dubai Financial Market (DFM), with nominations open until July 11. Earlier this week the board of directors tendered their resignations in […] June 27, 2024
Analysis Agriculture Weather and politics keep pressure on price of rice The status of rice as a global food staple means that it is also a political minefield for producer nations. So all eyes are on India as rice prices fluctuate at around a 15-year high. Different varietals and markets command different prices, but trading on “contracts for difference”, which track benchmark prices, saw the cost of […] June 27, 2024
Markets Fourth Milling to offload 30% in IPO on Saudi bourse Saudi Arabia’s market regulator has approved the flotation of another milling company on the local bourse. Fourth Milling Company (MC4) will sell 162 million shares, or 30 percent of its share capital, through an initial public offering (IPO). The approval is valid for six months and will be deemed cancelled if the offering and listing […] June 27, 2024
Finance Global legal saga continues for Dubai entrepreneur Riad Tawfiq Al Sadik, a construction entrepreneur based in Dubai, must pay 85 percent of the legal costs incurred by Clyde & Co after his suit against the law firm was thrown out in April, a UK court ruled this week, according to a report from City AM. The case stemmed from Al Sadik’s staggering […] June 27, 2024
Economy UAE releases details of new PPP regime The Emirati Ministry of Finance this week released guidelines for its new framework aimed at encouraging wider adoption and execution of public-private partnerships in the UAE. The new manual seeks to define PPP stakeholders’ specific roles and responsibilities, and standardise relevant regulations and procedures, according to the Wam news agency. NewsletterGet the Best of AGBI […] June 27, 2024
Opinion Finance Sharia index is tentative step for Islamic finance in Egypt Egyptian governments and investors have an awkward relationship with sharia-compliant finance June 26, 2024
Finance UAE’s e& buys Turkish cloud provider GlassHouse The UAE telecom operator e&, formerly Emirates Telecommunications Group company and Etisalat, has acquired the Turkish cloud services provider GlassHouse through its wholly owned subsidiary e& enterprise. A binding agreement has been signed between e& enterprise and Mediterra Capital, a private equity firm that provides investments in Turkey, to take over 100 percent of GlassHouse […] June 26, 2024
Markets Fees and procedures make UAE IPOs more complex UAE companies seeking to go public must undertake complex and often costly procedures to complete an initial public offering, although fees remain reasonable by international standards because of competition among advisers, according to experts. This decade, Abu Dhabi and Dubai have part-privatised many government-owned companies, sparking an IPO flurry that runs counter to slowdowns in […] June 26, 2024
Opinion Economy The GCC will feel the effects of the coming US recession Ironically, in the GCC, a strong dollar reduces import inflation June 26, 2024
Finance UAE raises $1.5bn from 10-year bonds The UAE has secured $1.5 billion from the sale of long-term bonds, according to a news report. The government sold 10-year bonds priced at 60 basis points over US Treasuries, Reuters reported, citing bank documents. The initial price guidance was lowered from 90 bps after demand reached $5.75 billion, the report said. NewsletterGet the Best […] June 26, 2024
Economy Morocco lowers interest rate as inflation falls Morocco’s central bank has reduced its benchmark interest rate to 2.75 percent, down 25 basis points – the first change in almost a year – amid falling inflation. Inflation stood at 6.6 percent in 2022 and 6.1 percent in 2023 but has returned to low levels, averaging 2.1 percent over the first five months of […] June 26, 2024
Finance Bahrain remains cautious but crypto pursuit advances Bahrain will not sacrifice its position as a trusted financial centre as it chases cryptocurrency millions, according to the boss of fintech incubator Bahrain FinTech Bay. Earlier this month the kingdom’s central bank gave BitOasis Bahrain, a regional crypto trading platform, a so-called Category 2 crypto-asset services licence. The regulatory approval means that the broker-dealer […] June 25, 2024
Economy World Bank’s $700m push for Egypt’s private sector The World Bank will provide $700 million in funding to Egypt to address short-term economic challenges. The development policy financing (DPF) will aid in supporting the Egyptian government’s focus towards more private sector participation. The financing will further advance structural reforms to level the playing field to support private sector growth, build macroeconomic and fiscal […] June 25, 2024
Markets Arabian Mills to sell 30% stake on Saudi bourse Arabian Mills for Food Products will list 15.4 million shares, or a 30 percent stake, on the Saudi stock exchange, the kingdom’s market regulator has said. The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) approved the company’s public flotation application on Monday, adding that the prospectus will be published before the subscription start date. No other details of […] June 25, 2024
Analysis Industry Silver is riding high but the market remains volatile With a gain in its spot price of nearly one-third since the start of the year, silver is now 2024’s best-performing precious metal. It is a major industrial material with an important role in the green energy transition. Yet, while these factors are combining to give silver a moment, analysts are quick to warn of […] June 25, 2024
Opinion Economy We need to talk about the American debt spiral Even a resilient Gulf may be at risk from US financial contagion June 24, 2024
Opinion Agriculture Arab states must raise intra-trade to buffer against food shocks Gulf producers are neglecting their own farming potential June 24, 2024
Economy Oman to build $31m Film City Oman is to build an OR12 million ($31.2 million) ‘Film City’ to boost its entertainment sector, a news report said. The project follows the outcomes of workshops held in March by the ministry of sports, culture and youth, Oman Daily Observer reported, citing a government official. The city is expected to provide more than 100 […] June 24, 2024
