Finance
Middle East finance news and analysis, tenders, contracts awarded, commentary and economic data.
News
ADS Securities to move into IPO and bond placement
Abu Dhabi trading firm looking at expansion plans into new areas
Up to four project bonds this year, says Standard Chartered
Development of project bonds will help increase capacity to fund regional infrastructure
Tasnee seeking $1bn loan from Saudi banks
Saudi petrochemicals firm aims to complete loan deal by mid-July
Saudi Aramco and Dow sign $12.5bn Sadara financing
Biggest project finance deal of 2013 signed by Aramco and Dow
Barwa Bank set for IPO in next 12 months
Lender also set to look at issuing Islamic bonds
Analysis
Remittances surge in Middle East
The Middle East and North Africa region experienced the fastest growth in remittances in 2012
Size of Islamic finance sector still trivial
Islamic finance accounts for a meagre 1 per cent of global financial assets, says Kuwait Central Bank governor
Saudi Arabia's foreign workforce on the way out
Expatriates in Saudi Arabia will increasingly be squeezed out by Riyadh’s push to find more jobs for locals
Lending to small businesses in Mena
SME banking revenue in the Mena region is expected to grow by 18 per cent per year, reaching $15bn by 2015
GCC financial sector bond issuances set to reach $13bn by 2018
Bonds are currently trading at tight pricings, the result of quantitative easing
Company Profiles
Syria International Islamic Bank
Formed in 2006 to capitalise on the opening up of Syria’s financial sector
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
Set up in 1997 as a public joint stock operation, the sharia-focused bank began trading the following year
MEED Events
Special Reports
Banking: QNB extends its lead over GCC rivals
For the first time in its history, the Middle East has a bank with assets worth more than $100bn
Comment
Dealing with rising liquidity in the GCC
Flush with liquidity, regional banks must keep booking deals to increase profitability
Finance Contacts
Mohammed Saleh al-Lai
Mohammed Saleh al-Lai is executive director and chief executive officer, Al-Amal Microfinance Bank
Abdul-Ghabar Hayel Saeed
Abdul-Ghabar Hayel Saeed is chairman, Tadhamon International Islamic Bank
Ahmed Thabet al-Absi
Ahmed Thabet al-Absi is general manager, International Bank of Yemen
Ibrahim al-Nahari
Ibrahim al-Nahari is sub-governor for foreign banking, Central Bank of Yemen
Mohammed Awad bin Hammam
Mohammed Awad bin Hammam is governor, Central Bank of Yemen
