🇦🇪UAE Legal News

Bahrain has returned to international debt markets with a twin-tranche dollar offering, raising a total of $2.5 billion through an eight-year sukuk and a 12-year conventional bond. The move marks the latest Gulf sovereign bid to tap robust investor demand despite ongoing economic pressures. The eight-year sukuk brought in $1.5 billion with a 5.875% coupon, …

Bahrain Pulls $2.5 Billion from Global Markets with Sukuk and Bond Launch Read More »

Etihad Rail is accelerating toward a new era of travel in the UAE, confirming that passenger services will roll out by 2026, linking 11 cities and regions across the country. The national railway network aims to offer a seamless, safe, and efficient transit experience while enhancing connectivity between urban centers and communities. Speaking at the …

UAE Gears Up for Nationwide Passenger Rail Service by 2026 Read More »

Saudi Arabia is bracing for a fiscal gap equivalent to 3.3% of its GDP in 2026, the finance ministry revealed, marking an increase from last year’s projection of 2.9%. In monetary terms, the shortfall amounts to 165 billion riyals ($44 billion). The kingdom’s 2025 deficit overshot expectations, reaching 245 billion riyals ($65.3 billion), or 5.3% …

Saudi Arabia Eyes $44 Billion Shortfall as 2026 Deficit Forecast Rises Read More »

Almasar Education, the education arm of Dubai-listed Amanat Holdings, has secured the green light from Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority to launch its IPO on the Tadawul Main Market. The company plans to offer 30,720,400 shares, equivalent to 30% of its total share capital. Specializing in niche education across the Gulf, Almasar Education operates in …

Amanat-Backed Almasar Education Set to Make Tadawul Debut Read More »

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICDPS) has priced a five-year, $500 million benchmark sukuk, drawing robust investor appetite that pushed initial orders beyond $2 billion. Rated A2 (Moody’s), A (S&P), and A+ (Fitch), the sukuk carries a 4.391% semi-annual coupon, priced at 65 basis points over U.S. Treasuries, tightening from …

GCC-Backed ICDPS Sparks $500M Sukuk Frenzy with Oversubscribed Launch Read More »

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector flexed its muscles in July 2025, with exports—including re-exports—jumping 30.4% compared to the same month last year. The ratio of non-oil exports to imports climbed sharply to 44.6%, up from 33.4% in July 2024, signaling a growing diversification of the Kingdom’s trade portfolio. Machinery, electrical equipment, and parts led the charge, …

Saudi Non-Oil Exports Surge 30% in July as Trade Balance Swells Read More »

Riyadh is witnessing a remarkable surge in business activity, with Saudi Arabia’s commercial registrations surpassing the 1.7 million mark, according to the latest SME Monitor report from the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at). The second quarter of 2025 alone saw over 80,000 new registrations, signaling sustained momentum in the Kingdom’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. The …

Saudi SME Surge Pushes Commercial Registrations Past 1.7 Million Read More »

Abu Dhabi’s latest foray into global debt markets turned into a showcase of demand, with a $3 billion dual-tranche bond drawing more than five times in orders. The emirate tightened pricing as the order book swelled past $16 billion, reflecting investor confidence in one of the world’s highest-rated sovereigns. The deal split into two pieces: …

Investors Flock as Abu Dhabi Locks In $3 Billion Bond Deal Read More »

Bank Muscat has successfully priced a $750 million five-year senior unsecured benchmark bond, tightening its spread to 115 basis points over U.S. Treasuries, with a semi-annual coupon of 4.846%. Initial indications had suggested a spread of around 150 basis points. Investor appetite proved robust, with the final orderbook surpassing $2.3 billion, not including interest from …

Bank Muscat Secures $750 Million Five-Year Bond Amid Strong Investor Demand Read More »

For decades, Kuwait’s promise of housing for every family has been a slow-moving queue—one that today has swelled to 105,000 requests, growing at a steady 3% each year. If nothing changes, that figure could balloon to nearly 200,000 by 2035. The housing minister has now turned the spotlight onto the private sector, urging developers, banks, …

Kuwait Hands Housing Dilemma to the Private Sector After Decades of Bottlenecks Read More »