Middle East ETF News Older than One Year
Saudi economy to grow by 4.1% in 2010, says EFG-Hermes
December 27, 2009--Egyptian investment bank EFG-Hermes has forecast that the Saudi Arabian economy will grow by 4.1% in real terms in 2010, as domestic demand in the kingdom will pick up, Reuters has reported.
GDP growth in real terms in 2011 will accelerate to 4.5% with the non-oil sector improving, driven by government investment programs and private consumption, the investment bank's chief economist Monica Malik said in a report. Also consider reading:
Source: AME Info
Yemen sets 2010 budget with $2.4bn deficit
December 27, 2009-The Yemeni cabinet has approved a 2010 draft budget with a deficit of YR492bn ($2.4bn), or 7.7% of the country's gross domestic product, Reuters has reported.
The budget has total projected revenues of YR1.52 trillion and expenditure of YR2.012 trillion.
Source: AME Info
OPEC output targets unchanged
December 24, 2009--Members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have agreed to keep their supply curbs unchanged, Reuters has reported.
However, ministers have expressed concern at the decline in adherence with quota restrictions that has pushed up inventories in industrialised consumer nations to 60 days worth of demand. While Saudi, Kuwait and the UAE are at or near full compliance with output cuts, Angola, Nigeria and Iran have made little or no contribution.
Source: AME Info
Kuwait oil output capacity rises above 3 million bpd
December 24, 2009--Sami al-Rasheed, Chairman of Kuwait Oil Co, has said a number of upgrade projects have enabled the company to raise its oil production capacity to around 3.13 million barrels per day, AFP has reported.
More than half of the capacity comes from the Great Burgan, the world's second largest oilfield after Saudi Ghawar, whose output capabilities have been raised from 1.5 million to 1.7 million bpd, Rasheed said.
Source: AME Info
Bahrain ratings affirmed
December 23, 2009--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has affirmed its 'A' long-term and 'A-1' short-term sovereign credit ratings on the kingdom of Bahrain, with 'Stable' outlook.
"The ratings on the Kingdom of Bahrain reflect the government's net financial asset position and strong international alliances," the rating agency said in a statement.
Source: AME Info
Jordan to pay JD300m of debts
December 23, 2009--Jordan has announce it will pay off over JD300m ($423m) of its debts to local and foreign private sector firms and individuals over the coming few days, the Jordan Times has reported.
The decision aims to avoid any financial penalties stipulated in the contracts signed with the concerned parties, the government said.
Source: AME Info
Lebanon credit rating raised
December 23, 2009--Standard & Poor's has raised its long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating for Lebanon to 'B' from 'B-minus', citing the strength of the country's public finances and banking system amid political turmoil, Reuters has reported.
The outlook for the rating is 'Positive'. "The upgrade and positive outlook reflect our view that Lebanon's public finances, and in particular the banking system, have proven resilient in the face of the political turmoil over the past three years," S&P said.
Source: AME Info
Tadawul sees slight gain
December 23, 2009--Saudi Arabia's Tadawul All Share Index (Tasi) nudged up 0.24% to 6,243, with 61 of the 134 traded stocks rising, and 45 falling.
The petrochemical industry was the day's leading sector, and petrochemical firm Alujain Corp had the day's biggest gain, up 5.59% to SR17.95.
Source: AME Info
ADX dips 1.85%
December 23, 2009--The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange fell 1.85% today to close on 2,693, as all sectors declined save Consumer and Health Care.
Union Cement had the day's biggest loss, down 9.04% to Dhs1.50. Overall, 26 stocks ended lower, four gained, and two remained unchanged.
Source: Online News
New Study Underscores Dubai's Growing Stature as a Leading International Financial Centre
Dubai International Financial Centre Ranked Seventh
December 22, 2009-The International Financial Centres Competitive Assessment Report, a competitive study of 15 key global and regional financial centres, was released today by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in association with KPMG in the UAE
DIFC conducted the study and commissioned KPMG in the UAE to independently assess the Report. The Report highlights the progress made by Dubai in establishing itself as a leading International Financial Centre.
This study was conducted with the objective of benchmarking DIFC's and Dubai's 'competitiveness' against that of other leading financial centres around the world and the region. One of the notable aspects of the Report is the evaluation of DIFC as a separate financial centre with individual competencies.
DIFC was ranked seventh in the Report on the strength of its world-class legal and regulatory standards; independent regulator and judiciary system; and strong value offering for financial businesses. DIFC's infrastructure and business environment, custom-designed for the financial industry, also helped Dubai receive an overall competitiveness score higher than global centres like Paris and Dublin.
The rankings of the 15 financial centres evaluated in the Report are as follows:
- Singapore
- London (UK)
- New York (USA)
- Hong Kong
- Zurich (Switzerland)
- Tokyo (Japan)
- Dubai International Financial Centre (UAE)
- Frankfurt (Germany)
- Luxembourg
- Dubai (UAE)
- Paris (France)
- Dublin (Ireland)
- Doha (Qatar)
- Manama (Bahrain)
- Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
The top five rankings in the Report broadly reflect the rankings of other leading global financial centre ranking surveys. However, the results of the Report show that Singapore and Hong Kong, Asia's leading international financial centres are posing a stiff challenge to the supremacy of leading international financial centres in the West. Although centres like London and New York have performed strongly, the perceived impact of the financial crisis and consequent events seem to have impacted their overall competitiveness.
HE Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre said: "Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a strong collaborative relationship between DIFC, Dubai and UAE has served to enhance the prominence of Dubai, UAE and the Middle East in the global financial services industry. The Governor further added: "The global financial crisis has put the spotlight on the fundamental competitive strengths that enable financial centres to weather adverse economic conditions and sustain growth. The results of the Report underscore the interdependent relationship between DIFC, Dubai and UAE. While Dubai and the UAE have gained from DIFC's achievements in the international arena and its strong commitment to global best practices, DIFC has benefited immensely from the infrastructure created by Dubai and the UAE.
Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of DIFC, we remain confident of achieving many more milestones by capitalising on this symbiotic relationship".
Vijay Malhotra, Chairman and CEO of KPMG in the UAE said "Post the financial crisis financial centres around the globe are focusing on rebuilding confidence and activity by providing an ideal platform for financial services. DIFC's performance on the International Financial Centres Competitiveness Assessment Report is a reflection of its leading soft and hard infrastructure. The report indicates the increasing importance of financial centres like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai.The results of the report clearly highlights that, leveraging on DIFC's immense potential, Dubai is all set to play an important role in the global financial services industry map."
The Report assesses the competitiveness of financial centres using an evaluation model that measures both 'capability' factors or immediate benefits provided by a financial centre, and 'performance' factors, which reflect historical or long-term results. The focus on 'competitiveness' puts the spotlight on the potential of a centre to excel in the future and not just on its current status.
The final rankings were based on a composite score derived from three pillars - Industry Opinion, Industry Performance, and Capability Measurement - that determines overall competitiveness. The Industry Opinion pillar is based on the Global Financial Centres Index 6 (GFCI) published by the City of London, while the Industry Performance pillar is based on the Financial Development Index 2009 (FDI) published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Capability Measurement pillar is based on an assessment model developed to measure the growth potential of a financial centre in the future based on a three factors including business environment, cost of doing business and cost of living.
View the The International Financial Centres Competitive Assessment Report
Source: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
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