Dubai Future District Fund provided support for over 190 startups and scale-ups last year
Banking & Finance
Debts Settlement Fund
UAE exempts 222 citizens from $39mn in debts
The programme contributes to social development by alleviating financial burdens, supporting retirees and social support beneficiaries, and fostering family stability
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Abu Dhabi’s ADGM sees major Q1 2025 growth as global firms, fund managers flock to UAE
ADGM in Abu Dhabi sees growth in number of businesses, workers and assets
aircraft leasing
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise signs $300mn unsecured term loan
Dubai-based aircraft leasing company signs major financing agreement with Bank of China
Digital Securities and Commodities
UAE calls on financial influencers to obtain licence
Securities and Commodities Authority calls on financial influencers in the UAE to obtain licence
anti money laundering
UAE fines exchange house $953,000 over rule violations
CBUAE has issued hefty fine on exchange house over anti-money laundering and terrorism financing rule violations
saudi tax
Saudi Arabia tax fine waiver to end this month
Saudi taxpayers can avail of waiver on fines until June 30
Al Salam Bank-Bahrain
Al Salam Bank offers three dedicated ‘Eid ATMs’ in key Bahrain malls
Bank debit cardholders will be able to withdraw new banknotes in smaller denominations, tailored to the festive gifting traditions
Abu Dhabi
Eid Al Adha 2025 dates announced; UAE petrol prices change; new tax rule revealed; Dubai real estate tokenisation – 10 things you missed this week
UAE petrol prices, Eid holiday dates, tax rules and more top news stories this week
Bitget
Bitget launches BGUSD to bridge traditional finance and crypto
BGUSD is redeemable for USDC at a 1:1 ratio and can be subscribed using USDC or USDT
anti-money laundering
UAE central bank slaps $27.8mn fine on exchange house
The UAE central bank has not disclosed the identity of the exchange house
Al Salam Bank-Bahrain
Al Salam Bank exits its 15.6% shareholding in Seef Properties
The Bahrain bank’s newly formed asset management firm, ASB Capital, acts as sell-side advisor in the sale to GFH
Bahrain
Investcorp exits 12 US residential multiple-occupancy assets
Exit was secured at a premium at a combined value of approximately $550 million; Assets were spread across five states
EY
MENA region records $46bn in M&A activity in Q1
UAE leads MENA region in M&A activity as volumes and value see significant gains
Central Bank of the UAE
Comera receives UAE central bank approval to launch finance company
Once operational, Comera Finance will offer a full suite of financial products and services, spanning retail, SME, and corporate lending
Aramco
Saudi Aramco issues 5-30 year dollar-denominated bonds for $5bn
The oil giant still has a low gearing ratio among global oil companies, which gives them room for increased borrowing, if needed
CBUAE
CBUAE issues $5m fines to foreign banks
UAE Central Bank fines foreign banks over anti-money laundering violations
