Middle East Archives

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Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

UAE Bank Going Digital-Only

In early 2017 the Commercial Bank of Dubai will launch CBD NOW, the UAE’s first digital-only bank. The new bank is based entirely online and will offer all the services a regular bank does.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

Egypt Floats Currency, And It Sinks. Then Rises.

The Egyptian pound was floated this fall, and quickly lost half its value. But the reform is part of restructuring Egypt's economy to encourage foreign investment.

Country Report

Israel: Focused On The High End

Israel'seconomy depends on foreign trade,and that presents a challenge under current conditions. Policymakers remain focused on high-tech while keeping an eye on global political developments.

News

Lebanon: New Leaders Seek To End Economic Agony

After two years of a political vacuum, Lebanon finally elected Michel Aoun president. Under the constitution, however, the head of state has little power, and his election sparks little hope.

Country Report

Qatar Builds New Financial City

Qatar has begun construction of a new financial city which aims to be the country’s Wall Street or Canary Wharf.

Country Report

Qatar Loosens Guest Worker Rules

Qatar plans to spend more than $200 billion on infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, railways, and ports, and has loosened guest worker sponsor requirements to facilitate recruitment.

Country Report

Qatar: Road to Knowledge Economy Paved With Debt

Oil-rich Qatar is spending heavily on infrastructure, even as it goes deeper into debt, claimingthe massive spending is aimed at creating a knowledge-based economy.

News

With SoftBank, Saudis Build $100 Billion Tech Fund

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has joined with Japan's SoftBank Group tolaunch what could become a $100 billion fund to focus on technology investments.

News

Arab Banks Struggle to Maintain Correspondent Relationships

According to a recent IMF, World Bank and Arab Monetary Fund report, 40% of Arab banks are experiencing “a significant decline” in the scale of correspondent banking relationships. The report shows 167 terminated accounts in 2015 compared to 71 in ...

Banking

Pakistan Returns to Sukuk Market

With mounting payment obligations and a worsening balance of payments, Pakistan has returned to the Islamic bond market after a two-year hiatus. In early October, Pakistan mopped up $1 billion through a dollar-denominated Islamic bond with a five-year tenure.

Data

The Levant: Rising To The Challenge of Crisis

Syria’s agony is imposing serious costs for neighbors in terms of refugees, lost trade and dampened investment.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

UAE Bank Merger May Spark More Deals

After several years of inactivity, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could see a spate of M&A deals in financial services.