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.
Middle East
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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.
Awards
World’s Safest Banks 2016: Middle East Top 50
The safest banks in the Middle East are all based in the GCC, with the exception of the two large Israeli banks, Hapoalim and Leumi, which rank 26th and 27th. National Bank of Abu Dhabi remains the Safest Bank in ...
Award Winners
World’s Safest Banks 2016: Safest Islamic Banks
Abu Dhabi’s Al Hilal Bank is the safest Islamic bank in the six GCC states, replacing Al Rajhi Bank of Saudi Arabia, which falls to seventh position following downgrades prompted by the downgrading of the Saudi government. Kuwait Finance House ...
Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
Lebanon’s Central Bank Pledges $600 Million For Start-Ups
Beirut aims to become the number-one hub in the Middle East for young entrepreneurs, sothe Lebanese Central Bank recently added $200 million its 2013 promise to guarantee $400 million in investment in the knowledge economy.