Swiss bank Lombard Odier plans expansion after getting new Dubai licence
Swiss private bank Lombard Odier plans to double its headcount in the UAE within three years after obtaining a licence to operate from Dubai’s financial centre, one of its senior executives told Reuters on Thursday. The bank, which has had a representative office in Dubai, a major regional financial hub, for 17 years and a branch in […]
The UAE as the new alternative investment hub
In a globalised financial environment, managing risk has become a paramount focus for Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMs). Regulatory landscapes significantly impact risk management, with rules varying across jurisdictions. While Europe has long been recognised as a hub for AIFs, with Luxembourg as one of the top respected investment destinations, the UAE has emerged as […]
Emirates airline earmarks $200mln fund for sustainability research
Emirates airline has announced a $200 million sustainability R&D fund aimed to reduce the impact of fossil fuels in aviation. According to Emirates, it is the biggest single commitment by any airline for sustainability, with funds to be disbursed over three years. The airline will identify partnerships with leading organisations working on solutions in advanced […]
UAE’s ADFD supports $320mln water supply project in Mauritania
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has signed an agreement with the government of Mauritania to help finance a project aimed at providing potable water to the city of Kiffa ADFD’s funding for the $320 million project, which will source and supply water from the Senegal River, is $30 million (110 million UAE dirhams). The […]
Hedge fund Ray Dalio to open branch of family office in Abu Dhabi
American billionaire investor and hedge fund manager Ray Dalio plans to set up a branch of his family office in Abu Dhabi as part of plans to push into the Middle East, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. The new branch will build upon the Dalio Family Office’s existing hubs in the US and Singapore, the report […]
ADFD, UNIDO discuss joint efforts to drive sustainable development
Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of the Exports Executive Committee of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), has met Gerd Müller, Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), to discuss their joint efforts in driving industrial and economic growth in developing nations. During Müller’s […]
UAE’s ADCB sells NPL portfolio worth $1.1bln to investment funds
UAE’s Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC (ADCB) has sold a portfolio of non-performing loans (NPL) worth 4.2 billion dirhams ($1.1 billion) to investment funds advised by Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP. The transaction represents the first sale of a significant portfolio of NPLs by ADCB and is thought to be the largest such transaction effected […]
Sunset Hospitality gets $35mln funding from Goldman Sachs
Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), a diversified hospitality group in Dubai, renowned for developing and operating highly popular lifestyle brands, has secured $35 million funding from Goldman Sachs Asset Management. SHG was founded in Dubai ten years ago and is currently present across nine countries worldwide. The group owns and operates a large portfolio of […]
Kuwait-backed Wafra raises $1.5bln for stakes in fund managers
Wafra Inc, an investment firm backed by Kuwait’s public pension fund, said on Monday it has raised $1.5 billion for its fourth flagship fund that will acquire minority stakes in alternative asset managers such as private equity firms. The new fund, Capital Generation IV, will seek to acquire minority stakes in “lower middle-market” […]
UAE: Collaboration, not competition, creates wins for neobanks, say CEOs
Digital banking apps are shaking things up and introducing a seamless, cost-effective, and flexible way of accessing financial services to customers in the UAE. Although some of the worst pandemic forecasts have not yet materialised, banks continue to face long-term revenue pressure and tighter competition. The opportunity to fast-track banking transformation has never been […]