GCC

The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) is moving forward with plans to broaden its China offering with equity futures for mainland companies. Meanwhile, Bank of China Hong Kong (BoCHK) has received approval to open a branch in Brunei, the first for a Chinese bank.

Bank Muscat has mandated eight banks for a Reg S dollar benchmark bond.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has mandated three banks to roadshow dollar benchmark, jumping into the market for its first bond since 2009 ahead of up to $20bn of potential sovereign supply from the region this year.

The $250m loan for Gulf schools operator GEMS Education has been signed with mostly Middle Eastern banks in the syndicate.

Cheap euro loans from European banks are attracting the attention of typically dollar hungry EM borrowers, as Qatar National Bank (QNB) launched a rare offer in the currency.

Ahli Bank Qatar printed its $500m five year bond on Wednesday from a $1.2bn book, demonstrating that there is investor demand for Middle East bank debt at the right price.

Rather than cherry picking its favourite banks for its $10bn sovereign loan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will “pull together a handful of banks” to get the deal done, according to a banker in discussions with the sovereign.

Ahli Bank Qatar has tightened price guidance for its debut bond to 265bp-275bp area over swaps, and the deal looks set for success, according to a banker away from the mandate.

You would think that a role in Saudi Arabia’s first loan in over two decades would be the golden ticket for any bank, but it’s not to everyone’s taste.

Qatar National Bank is turning to euro funding with its latest €1.5bn loan, which was launched on Tuesday.

Ahli Bank Qatar (IBQ) has released initial price guidance for its debut bond, a Reg S dollar benchmark, at 275bp area over mid-swaps.

Ahli Bank Qatar is embarking on a series of investor meetings for its debut bond, a Reg S dollar benchmark.