The United Arab Emirates’ Al Etihad Credit Bureau is working on launching a number of indicators that would give lending institutions a better understanding of the financial situation of the small and medium-sized companies, potentially enhancing the sector’s access to finance, the bureau’s chief executive officer told Zawya. “We are currently studying the SME sector to see what factors would affect them. We discovered we can do more for the SMEs but we need more information. We need more...

Dollar trades lower in Asian trade on the back of a stronger euro and global equities Oil prices dip again after Tuesday’s 6 percent fall Saudi, Dubai and Qatar stock markets rise, Abu Dhabi drops The dollar was broadly lower in Asian trade on Thursday as demand for safe haven currencies dropped after a rebound in global markets and a stronger euro, on hopes for a resolution to Italy’s budget dispute. The dollar index, which measures its value against six major peers, traded lower at 96.7 on...

The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was “unfortunate”, but is not likely to have a major impact on business interests in the kingdom, Majed Kabbara, managing director and head of asset management at Dubai-based Dalma Capital Management has said. Speaking in response to a question asked by Zawya at a business conference in Dubai on the impact of the killing of the prominent Saudi journalist on investments into the kingdom, Kabbara said: “If you think that investors will stop...

Investment funds operating in the Arab region lack local talent, the Chief Private Equity and Direct Investment Officer in Kuwait’s KFH Capital investment company, Mohammad Alhajeri, said, He urged private equity firms and Arab governments to step up efforts to support funds led by local managers. “The main problem that we have in the region, and I am not trying to be a racist, is that the majority of funds are managed by expats and this is a major problem,” Alhajeri said, speaking to Zawya...

Qatar announced on Monday it will leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC) starting next January to focus on gas, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) described Doha’s decision as a reflection of the decline of its “role and influence”. The relationship between Qatar and several Arab states was impacted after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain decided to sever their diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar last year, accusing the Gulf Arab emirate of supporting...