Global foreign direct investment (FDI) inf lows were only slightly higher in 2010 than in recessionhit 2009, according to estimates from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Growth in FDI inflows to emerging markets – by an estimated 14 per cent – offset another decline in flows to the developed world of an estimated seven per cent. Global FDI inflows are …

Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) – a major provider of investment opportunities and one-stop solutions in its free zones, industrial parks and offshore facilities – has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with HSBC, which will open a complete range of banking and financial services to companies operating in the emirate. Dr Khater Massaad, CEO, RAKIA, said, “This is …

Centralisation and standardisation as well as simplification and automation – these are the focus areas for an efficient treasury process, according to Judith van Paassen, partner at Zanders Treasury and Finance Solutions, reported in a journal published by OpusCapita. She believes that the key drivers for treasuries are to reduce cost, create value, reduce risk and improve control. According to …

Corporate earnings in the UAE are poised to swing back to growth at 24 per cent in 2011 after declining by an estimated six per cent in 2010, according to the Kuwait Financial Centre. “The resurgence in the corporate sector after two years of dismal performance will be driven by the banking sector as we believe the worst is over …

Dear Reader, The current economic situation has left corporates feeling bruised. For example, it has had major supply chain implications for both large regional, and multinational, trading companies in the Middle East, as well as major manufacturers. In our cover story, Liz Selecka discovers that greater currency fluctuations have become a concern to large exporters of oil and oil-related products …

Concerns are growing that mooted changes to banking regulations could restrict the availability of trade finance and potentially lead to a drop in global trade flows – something that could be particularly detrimental to smaller companies and emerging market banks. Dominic Broom discusses how local global partnerships can help these institutions overcome the challenges presented by regulatory compliance Times are …

Financial statements provide a common format for assessing businesses but are diffi cult to read in their raw form. Financial ratios allow interpretation of fi nancial statements to get a better understanding of the fi nancial health of a business. Ratios can be applied historically and to budget or forecast accounts and can be useful both to internal and external …

An overall positive outlook across emerging and developed economies has been highlighted in the recently released hSBC survey. It shows respondents from India (140 points), the UAE (125), Mexico (124) and Indonesia (124) as being the most confi dent about trade activity and growth. Emerging markets positive Improved sentiment was especially evident in France, India and Saudi Arabia, where confi …

Although the Middle East was not as badly aff ected by the global fi nancial crisis as the Western world, corporates across the region are experiencing diffi culties when it comes to accessing bank fi nance. LIZ SALECKA explains why. While a traditionally conservative approach to both lending and borrowing – together with and a strong focus on satisfying regional …

As at Q3 2010, Riyadh Bank’s corporate liabilities rose over Q2 2010 to reach SAR90bn, whilst over the same period corporate assets also rose to SAR90bn and trade related contingencies held fi rm at SAR56bn. In recent years, the bank achieved market shares of approximately 20 per cent in each category and continued to occupy the No1 position in the …

Almost all the market players in the Islamic fi nance industry complain about the lack of a truly international and well-structured liquidity management scheme to meet the shortterm surplus placement of some and the funding needs of other Islamic fi nancial institutions (IFIs) and those with Islamic banking windows. In reality, as Rafee haneef, managing director, global markets at hSBC …

Recovery is under way, in the oil-rich Gulf states certainly, and more tentatively across other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. And trade is central to this revival, as the resurgence in global economic activity lift s international demand for the region’s oil, gas and heavy industrial exports such as petrochemicals and aluminium. But the pace is still …

Eikon (pronounced “icon”) is the latest component of Thomson Reuters’ “innovation agenda” that redefines how financial professionals work by placing the most comprehensive market information, news, analytics and trading tools available into a desktop as simple to use and collaborative as the internet. It provides financial professionals with new tools to thrive in a new era and follows the launch …

Despite current uncertainty in the banking industry, the mood at Sibos – the annual international banking conference sponsored by SWIFT and held recently in Amsterdam – was felt to be positive. The event attracted more than 9000 delegates from 150 countries and 175 speakers.  One particular point that the conference underscored was the fact that payments are inherently local. Despite …

Dubai Islamic Bank has announced the opening of three new branches – one in Abu Dhabi and two in Dubai – bringing its UAE network to a total of 66 branches. The new branches in Dubai are located in the Al Qusais and Al Lisaili areas while the new Abu Dhabi branch is based in Shahama. “The bank always endeavours …

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi now has trade finance managers in its London and Paris branches as part of its plan to expand in that field in Europe. David Ringer has joined NBAD in London and Isabelle Krieg has set up in Paris. “Their recruitment reflects National Bank of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to developing trade finance business in Europe,” …