BENEFIT, a leading fintech company in Bahrain, has announced that it had processed 261.2 million transactions through the Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS) in the first half of 2026, up 7.6% when compared to last year, with the total value surging by 6.1% to BD19.3 billion ($51.2 billion).
Risks to some issuer ratings in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states could increase under a hypothetical scenario in which traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted through most of 2027, Fitch Ratings says in a new report.
Sohar International and National Bank of Oman (NBO) have agreed a $720 million syndicated refinancing facility for Phoenix Power Company SAOG (PPC), following the 15-year extension of its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP).
The number of new economic licences issued to Emirati businesswomen in Abu Dhabi rose 6.4% in the first half of 2026, highlighting the growing role of women entrepreneurs in the emirate’s economy.
ADX-listed Alpha Dhabi Holding (Alpha Dhabi), one of the fastest-growing investment holding companies in the MENA region, has increased its investment in its private credit joint venture, MICAD Credit JV, managed by Mubadala Capital, the global alternative asset manager.
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the Central Bank of Egypt affirmed their full and continuous cooperation and coordination regarding the continued normal operation of all activities of Banque Misr branches in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Marriott Bonvoy and Visa have launched two co-branded credit cards in the UAE, targeting travellers seeking rewards and premium lifestyle benefits.
Bahrain’s non-oil economy continued to expand in the first quarter of 2026 despite the sharp disruption to oil exports caused by restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The non-oil activities played a pivotal role contributing 90.1% to GDP at constant prices during Q1.
Periods of market uncertainty have historically created some of the strongest long-term investment opportunities in Dubai's real estate market, according to Nisus Finance, which believes the UAE's strong macro-economic fundamentals, resilient regulatory environment and sustained population growth continue to support long-term investor confidence.
Saudia Group has signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (Crédit Agricole CIB) to explore and arrange financing solutions for the Saudi airline’s acquisition of new Airbus aircraft.
