Calls to establish funds for reconstruction, digital tech. $100 million pledged by Kuwait and Qatar

The Arab Economic and Social Development Summit asked Arab countries to support the creation of a fund with a capital of $200 million to invest in technology and the digital economy.

Kuwait, which is the initiator of the fund project, will contribute $50 million to its capital. The Qatari government will contribute another $50 million. The private sector will also be able to participate in the capital of the fund.

The new initiative will be managed by the Arab Fund for Economic and...

Article details

Qatar to buy $500 million in Eurobonds. Doha says it is committed to support Lebanon

Qatar will purchase Lebanese government bonds denominated in the U.S. dollar worth $500 million, said Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

"We are committed to support the Lebanese economy and people in light of great challenges," Al Thani said.

Earlier this month, the country's dollar-denominated bonds (Eurobonds) witnessed a heavy sell-off and their prices plunged following a controversial statement by Caretaker Minister...

Article details

Fransabank ups stake in BL to 82 percent. Sehnaoui and other investors exit BLC Bank

Fransabank has increased its ownership in BLC Bank to 81.87 percent by acquiring a combined stake of 13.3 percent from a group of shareholders, according to a statement from BLC Bank.

The sellers are banker Maurice Sehnaoui and his company, Holding M. Sehnaoui, as well as Walid Ziade, Youmna Ziade, and Silver Capital Holding (Ziade family).

Part of the stake, amounting to 8.83 percent, was acquired for a total of $45.8 million. It consisted of 18.86 million listed common shares b...

Article details

Inbound E-money transfers must be paid in lira only. Central Bank decision applies to firms like OMT, MoneyGram, and Western Union

Electronic money transfers from abroad will be settled exclusively in lira from now on, according to an intermediate circular by the Central Bank (BDL). The circular does not restrict domestic transfers.

The decision targets companies engaged in electronic cash transfers such as OMT, MoneyGram, and Western Union, said Riad Salameh, Governor of BDL. The circular does not apply to bank transfers.

Salameh said that BDL's move is in line with international practices and aims to combat ...

Article details

Inbound E-money transfers must be paid in lira only. Central Bank decision applies to firms like OMT, MoneyGram, and Western Union

Electronic money transfers from abroad will be settled exclusively in lira from now on, according to an intermediate circular by the Central Bank (BDL). The circular does not restrict domestic transfers.

The decision targets companies engaged in electronic cash transfers such as OMT, MoneyGram, and Western Union, said Riad Salameh, Governor of BDL. The circular does not apply to bank transfers.

Salameh said that BDL's move is in line with international practices and aims to combat ...

Article details