Economy
IMF chief urges action as global recession risks rise
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva urged global policymakers to take concerted action as the risks of a worldwide recession are driven...
- The IMF chief said that if central banks move too aggressively to tamp down price pressures, it could trigger a prolonged economic downturn.
- Finance ministers and central bank governors from over 180 nations will gather in Washington for a meeting of the IMF and WB.
Economy
Low carbon demand spurs green sukuk growth
With the rise in demand for low-carbon investments, investors issued $517 billion in green bonds last year, a 50 percent...
- With the rise in demand for low-carbon investments, investors issued $517 billion in green bonds last year, a 50 percent increase over 2020.
- Sukuks cannot be used to finance illegal activities and are designed to avoid high levels of leverage and speculation, a new research highlights
Economy
Saudi banks provide $630 billion loans till August 2022
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi bank loans granted to public and private sectors grew 15 percent by the end of...
- Private-sector lending also increased by 15 percent year-on-year to SAR 2.241 trillion ($600 billion).
- Loans granted to public non-financial institutions increased 26 percent YoY to SAR 117.1 billion ($31.14 billion).
Business
GCC banks look at pre-Covid profitability level
Earnings of many Gulf banks may hit nearly pre-pandemic levels by the year end, owing to high oil prices and...
- Earnings of many Gulf banks may hit nearly pre-pandemic levels by the year end, owing to high oil prices and rising interest rates that will support their creditworthiness
- S&P forecasts a more visible strengthening of regional banks' interest margins and a manageable increase in risk cost in second half despite lingering COVID-19 effects
Geostrategy
Abdullah bin Zayed meets Benjamin Netanyahu
UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Opposition Leader and former...
- With the signing of the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement in 2020, relations between Israel and the UAE have improved.
- The UAE top diplomat met with the former Israeli premier as part of his current official visit to the Israel..
Analysis
US Fed Reserve may remain hawkish in coming months
Despite the recent slowdown, the US economy remains robust, which allows for more aggressive monetary policy tightening. The US consumer...
- The US Federal Reserve will lean "hawkish," raising rates by 75 bps in September and 50 bps both in November and December, before a final 25 bps hike in early 2023
- Despite the recent slowdown, the US economy remains robust, which allows for more aggressive monetary policy tightening, Qatar National Bank says in its weekly report
Business
GCC banks cash in on high deposits, rising oil prices
Rising oil prices, which have proved to be a windfall for governments and companies in the upstream sector, has strengthened...
- Rising oil prices, which have proved to be a windfall for governments and companies in the upstream sector, has strengthened balance sheets of the region's banking sector
- Saudi Arabia and UAE have recorded the strongest quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year growth, while Qatari and Omani banks have reported relatively minor increases.
Economy
‘Certainly a risk’ of US recession, Yellen says
An American recession "is a risk when the Fed is tightening monetary policy to address inflation," President Joe Biden's leader...
- Faced with soaring inflation it reached its highest level in 40 years in June at 9.1 percent,the central bank is gradually raising its key rates
- The challenge for policymakers is to quell inflation before it becomes dangerously entrenched, but without sending the US economy into a recession
Business
Loan exemptions: GCC’s way to help individuals, firms
The Gulf countries assist loan defaulters by delaying payments or exempting those who can't pay to save emerging companies and...
- The Gulf countries assist loan defaulters by delaying payments or exempting those who cannot pay to save emerging companies and prevent their accumulation of financial burdens
- Loan exemptions in sectors such as housing, health, marriage and investments are estimated to be in millions of dollars across the region
Business
Stocks and oil prices rally, as dollar drops
Stock markets and oil prices rallied Friday, with investors largely pricing in more interest rate hikes aimed at taming runaway...
- The more confident mood across equity and oil markets was reflected in a cooler dollar.
- The greenback's softness came after Federal Reserve chief reasserted the US central bank's determination to keep hiking interest rates to fight prices
Company News
Sukoon Insurance sets up OIWSS
Business
Latest News
DIB H1 2023 net profit $844m Â
Business
FAB H1 2023 net profit $2.2bn
Business
Automation revolutionizes financial business models
The financial services sector is witnessing transformative changes, driven by rising demands for personalized services and the integration of cutting-edge...
Central Bank of Bahrain treasury bills oversubscribed by 149 percent
MANAMA, BAHRAIN - This week’s BD 70 million (US$186 issue of Government Treasury Bills has been oversubscribed by 149 percent....
Business
IsDBI, BIBF join hands to enhance global Islamic finance expertise
MANAMA, BAHRAIN - The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) and the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) have decided...
Business
Most Read
Business
ITFC collaborates with Turk Eximbank for providing joint loan of US$277m
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), which is a member of the Islamic Development Bank,...
- This collaboration aims to enhance trade volume among the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
- The loan aims to support the development of small and medium enterprises' exports as well as private sector companies in Turkey.
Business
Gulf banks show resilient growth despite US Fed hikes
Major banks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including the Commercial Bank of Dubai and First Abu Dhabi Bank, reported...
- Major banks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including the Commercial Bank of Dubai and First Abu Dhabi Bank, reported record profits in the first half of 2023, says a report
- In H1 2023, Saudi Arabia exhibited outstanding credit facility performance as Al Rajhi Bank reported a net income of US$2.2m, while Riyad Bank achieved US$1bn after zakat
Business
Saudi EXIM, India EXIM ink MoU
Pact was signed on the sidelines of G20 Summit in New Delhi.
- The primary objective of this agreement is to facilitate the export of products and services between Saudi Arabia and India.
- The key areas of cooperation encompass exporting products and services, the exchange of information and expertise.